Week 6 vs. Green Bay Packers
Kyle Rudolph bounced back last week after a disappointing start to the season. He led the team in targets (9) and finished with 6 receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown. He could go back to his struggling ways this week, though, as he gets a tough matchup against the Packers.
Green Bay has allowed the second-fewest points to opposing tight ends, highlighted by the fact they haven't allowed a single touchdown to the position. Despite the difficult matchup, we still like Rudolph as a low-end TE1 option in Week 6.
Week 5 at Chicago Bears
Kyle Rudolph has been one of the biggest disappointments this season. He was projected to be a TE1, but instead, is 23rd in scoring at his position. He has 10 receptions for 109 yards and 1 score through four games.
Rudolph could get going again if and when Sam Bradford returns. He had success with Bradford last season, and in Week 1 of this season, but hasn't done much with Case Keenum at QB. On top of everything else, he gets a tough matchup this week against the Bears.
Rudolph falls to the lower-end of the TE1 range this week.
Week 4 vs. Detroit Lions
Kyle Rudolph has been a disappointment so far this season, catching 8 passes for 75 yards through three games. He also has a score. We expected Rudolph to continue from his success a year ago, but he hasn't been as involved with Case Keenum at QB instead of Sam Bradford.
There's a chance for Rudolph to bounce back this week as the Lions gave up a huge performance to the position in Week 2. Considering how shallow this position is, Rudolph can still be viewed as a TE1 option, but owners may feel a bit risky starting him considering his one-catch stat line last week.
Week 3 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kyle Rudolph led the team in receiving yards (45) last week on 4 receptions, but that was without Sam Bradford at quarterback. Rudolph is an important piece in the Vikings offense, but his value drops a bit if Bradford is unable to play again in Week 3.
Rudolph's value wasn't hurt quite as much without Bradford, but we'd definitely like to see the veteran quarterback return this week. He loves targeting Rudolph, especially in the red zone, and he'd make Rudolph a TE1 play this week if he's healthy. Rudolph would slide down into TE2 range if Case Keenum draws the start.
Week 2 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Kyle Rudolph wasn't too involved in Minnesota's offense in Week 1, catching 3 passes (on 3 targets) for just 26 yards. But he was able to find the end zone, something he's been able to do multiple times with Sam Bradford at quarterback.
Rudolph will continue to be viewed as a TE1 option in a shallow position, because he's likely to be involved in Minnesota's offense, no matter what. He's a threat to score each week, including against his opponent on Sunday, the Steelers. Start him with confidence, assuming you have no better tight end options.
Week 1 vs. New Orleans Saints
Kyle Rudolph had been dealing with an injury in the preseason, but he's finally off of the team's injury report heading into Week 1 against the Saints. That's good news for owners who drafted Rudolph, after seeing he led Minnesota in targets (132) a season ago.
With him being fully healthy in a good matchup against New Orleans, there's no reason why owners should bench Rudolph. He should be viewed as a strong TE1 in this game. Not only does he get plenty of targets, but he's Sam Bradford's favorite weapon in the red zone, as he finished with a team-high seven touchdowns in 2016.
Fantasy Upside
In his sixth season last year, Kyle Rudolph set career-highs in receptions (83) and yards (840). The arrival of Sam Bradford did wonders for Rudolph, as the quarterback routinely looked to his tight end as a security blanket. Rudolph actually led the Vikings in targets with 132, which tied for 15th among all receivers.
And while it wasn’t a career-high, Rudolph’s 7 touchdowns were an impressive number, and also led the team in 2016. He was the second-highest fantasy scorer at his position a year ago.
Fantasy Downside
An improved running game should take away some of the Vikings’ need to throw short passes, which is where Rudolph shined the most. Also, if Stefon Diggs is able to stay healthy, he could see some of those targets instead of Rudolph.
2017 Bottom Line
While Rudolph likely won’t see quite as many targets as he did a year ago, he’s still projected to be heavily involved in the offense. He’s in a scheme that favors the tight end position, and his ability to score in the red zone makes him a threat to score most weeks. He’s not an elite option at the tight end position, but he’s worthy of being an every-week starter. He’s worth a selection in the mid-round range.
Week 17 vs. Chicago
Kyle Rudolph hasn't been elite in 2016, but he has career highs in receptions in yards and has been one of the more successful at his position. He's got the fourth-most receptions, fifth-most yards and tied for fourth in touchdowns among tight ends.
He doesn't get a great matchup this week, but he's one of the few reliable options at the TE position. He should be viewed as a TE1 against the Bears.
Week 16 vs. Green Bay
Kyle Rudolph is having a career season, and his success continued last week with 97 yards on eight receptions. He's been a fairly reliable option at the tight end position all season long, although he hasn't quite reached elite status.
He gets a fairly tough matchup this week against the Packers, but he did score a touchdown against them earlier in the year. He should be viewed as a TE1 simply due to his consistency compared to other players at the position.
Week 15 vs. Indianapolis
Kyle Rudolph continued his career season last week, as he finished with his sixth score of the year. Rudolph hasn't been elite in 2016, but he's set new career highs with receptions and yards (and he still has a few games to go).
This week, he faces a favorable Colts defense. While Indy hasn't allowed many touchdowns to the position, tight ends have had consistent success against the Colts all year long. This should lead to TE1 numbers for Rudolph in Week 15.
