Kyle Rudolph - Week 16 vs. Miami
Kyle Rudolph made himself relevant again last week. he had his best game of the season as he hauled in all seven of his targets for 69 yards. This week he faces a Dolphins defense that has allowed the fewest receptions to tight ends (43) this season.
Rudolph typically doesn't have a lot of production and this week he gets a brutal matchup. He's a low-end TE2 at best.
Kyle Rudolph - Week 15 vs. Detroit Lions
Kyle Rudolph has not been good this season. He has 162 yards in the seven games he's played. He's been bad all season, but he's been even worse lately. In the last two games he has 16 yards combined.
Rudolph is a redzone threat, but that's about it. Don't trust him this week.
Kyle Rudolph - Week 14 vs. New York Jets
Kyle Rudolph caught a touchdown last week against Carolina, but that's about all he did. He finished with two receptions for seven yards. There's a good chance he catches a touchdown again this week. He'll face the New York Jets who have allowed the most TDs to TEs this season (12).
Rudolph hasn't been a huge part of the Vikings' offense, but the good matchup makes him worth TE consideration this week.
Kyle Rudolph - Week 13 vs. Carolina Panthers
Kyle Rudolph made a full return last week and put up modest numbers. He finished with three receptions for 50 yards on five targets. He gets somewhat of a touch matchup this week against Carolina. The Panthers have only allowed two touchdowns to tight ends all season.
At this point, starting anybody in the Vikings' offense is a gamble, Rudolph included. He'll be a borderline TE1/TE2 play.
Kyle Rudolph - Week 12 vs. Green Bay Packers
Kyle Rudolph played on 30 percent of the team's offensive snaps last week in his return to action. He finished with no receptions on zero targets. We haven't seen the tight end position put up big numbers in Minnesota this season, so there's no reason to expect Rudolph to have a huge game. He's a weak TE2 and isn't really worth a look.
Kyle Rudolph - Week 11 vs. Chicago
Kyle Rudolph returned to practice this week and is questionable to play. He's expected to make his return to the lineup, and it will be the first time we see rookie Teddy Bridgewater with Rudolph. It's unclear how much he'll play, if it all, but if he does he gets a great matchup. The Bears have allowed the most points to tight ends this season. Chicago's allowed seven touchdowns to the position in the last three weeks.
The matchup makes this interesting, but there's a lot of uncertainty surrounding Rudolph. With the lack of great TE options, Rudolph is a borderline TE1 in his first game back, although he does come with a decent amount of risk.
Kyle Rudolph - Week 3 vs. New Orleans
Kyle Rudolph is tied with Cordarrelle Patterson in team targets (12) and receptions (7) this season. It's difficult to trust too many of the Vikings' receiving options with Matt Cassel at quarterback, but Rudolph has been fairly successful this season. He's the 14th highest scorer at his position.
In a favorable matchup (Saints have given up the most passing yards so far this season) Rudolph should be viewed as a borderline TE1.
Kyle Rudolph - Week 2 vs. New England
Kyle Rudolph only caught two passes for 16 yards in Week 1, but one of his receptions went for a touchdown. Rudolph saw four targets against the Rams, third on the team.
Rudolph draws a fairly difficult matchup this week. The Patriots were tough against tight ends a year ago and they displayed their strength again in Week 1. The Dolphins' Charles Clay only caught two passes for 27 yards against them.
Rudolph will remain a top option at his position because of his ability in the red zone.
Kyle Rudolph - Week 1 vs. St. Louis
The Rams were the stingiest defense against tight ends in fantasy last season. While we expect Norv Turner to help Kyle Rudolph improve this season, Week 1 may not be the best time to start the Vikings TE. His talent still makes him a TE1 candidate this week, but it's a brutal matchup.
Fantasy Upside
Kyle Rudolph is a bounce-back candidate this season. The arrival of offensive coordinator Norv Turner will mean good things for the 2012 Pro Bowler. Turner’s offense has been a blessing for tight ends in the past because it makes them a focal point. Last season Jordan Cameron saw 117 targets, 19 of which were in the red-zone (third most in the league for TE) in Turner’s system. From 2006-09 Antonio Gates averaged 111 targets per season in San Diego under Turner.
Rudolph has shown potential in the past when he caught nine touchdowns in 2012. His 2013 season was cut short by a broken foot.
Fantasy Downside
The fourth-year tight end was a disappointment last season even before his broken foot. He had three or less catches in five of his eight games and had just one game above 51 yards.
Even when he had nine touchdowns in 2012 he failed to put up many yards. He had just 493 receiving yards despite starting all 16 games. We haven’t seen much production from the former Notre Dame star.
Bottom Line
Turner’s offense is a huge boost for Rudolph. A big reason for his lack of success in the past is because he was never a focal point. Turner’s system will give that to him, making Rudolph an attractive draft pick this season. He should be viewed as a low-end TE1 with upside.
