Kyle Rudolph (1 Viewer)

[ponchsox]

Kyle Rudolph looks like Gronk light from last year through the first three games. Is he going to be Ponder's red zone target this year or will AP, Harvin, and the return of Simpson spoil his coming out party?

 

[solorca]

I don't see why not. AP and Harvin are already there and getting their looks. I don't see Simpson being enough to keep the redzone targets away from Rudolph.

 

[Concept Coop]

Very much so. Very much so, indeed.

 

[EBF]

I like him, but yards are more meaningful than TDs and he's only been "meh" from that standpoint.

He isn't going to get into the end zone every week, so he'll have to bump up his catches/yards to remain a top FF TE.

 

[VA703]

keeper league gold

 

[Soulfly3]

If they were up against any other DEF than SF last week, those redzone TDs would be Peterson's.

You know it's true.

 

[Concept Coop]

I like him, but yards are more meaningful than TDs and he's only been "meh" from that standpoint.He isn't going to get into the end zone every week, so he'll have to bump up his catches/yards to remain a top FF TE.

Good point. I guess I would need clarification on the question. Re-draft? Keeper? Dynasty?When it comes to keeper/dyansty leagues, he is very "legit". This year, I don't know how much I trust Ponder/the offense yet. But I very much trust and value the skillset of Rudolph.

 

[ponchsox]

Next 3 games DET, TEN, WAS

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

I like him, but yards are more meaningful than TDs and he's only been "meh" from that standpoint.He isn't going to get into the end zone every week, so he'll have to bump up his catches/yards to remain a top FF TE.

Really?I'm thinking TD opportunities are better; 60 yards and 2 TDs from Peterson can make your day and seems very doable, but what if that number were from the TE?This offense and Rudolph could actually get better with Simpson coming in.

 

[heropretend]

he was a legit preseason sleeper who moves if not fast, moves well because he's big. early 2nd rd pedigree who has a great friendship with his qb like witten/romo. showed good ball skills on his tds and just missed on another td target in week 2. upcoming schedule is great. don't know who i'd start over him except gronk and graham vs det, wash, tenn

 

[Funkley]

Not a shock, guy was drafted high for a reason.

 

[therush]

LaFell or Rudolph?

 

[Saint]

LaFell or Rudolph?

What's this have to do with anything?? The question is regarding whether Rudolph is the real deal.In answer to that, I believe he is. He showed some great flashes of in game ability last year and has been a safety valve for Ponder. With teams double covering Harvin or gaming for him more, I see nothing but opportunities for Rudolph. With the addition of Simpson coming back, I can only see increased opportunity for Rudolph if Simpson stretches the field. He's a mismatch on every linebacker that covers him.

 

[Biabreakable]

Not a shock, guy was drafted high for a reason.

The writing was on the wall from last year. He makes some great catches and is a match up nightmare. The Vikings have Havin, Peterson and.. Rudolph is the next best option on offense. He is going to keep being a large focus for the Vikings and will likely be 2nd in targets EOY. I think getting Simpson back helps the Vikings and Rudolph may find some more room midrange or some linebacker trying to cover him. Carlson played some more last week also but Rudolph's role is pretty locked in.The Vikings like to throw from the goal line. This is the only way they scored preseason. It is something they have worked on a lot. The fakes have been frequent enough that it should make it is easier to run it in later on.

 

[Funkley]

Good posting, I think he'll be even better with Simpson.

 

[Quibbler]

Good posting, I think he'll be even better with Simpson.

Me too, but I've heard the opposite as well, and I'm not sure which case seems stronger. (This, incidentally, is all from my Vikes fan friend; I don't follow the team much).Pro post-Simpson Rudolph: Simpson will stretch the D, creating more space in the middle for both Harvin and Rudolph to go to town.Anti post-Simpson Rudolph: Simpson will stretch the D, but that will mainly be used to free up Harvin. Also, once MIN has a deep threat, they'll run more play action, meaning 1) more blocking for Rudolph and 2) Ponder won't be scrambling as much, which is when he's looked for Rudolph the most.

 

[pizzatyme]

He looks legit to me. It will be interesting to see how Simpson impacts the team. I have the luxury of having Rudolph as my second flex in my FFPC Main Event team behind Pitta and Bennett.

Put me in the camp that Simpson opens lanes for Rudolph as I believe the Vikes would prefer to limit the touches for AD.

 

[Xue]

I've got him in 3 dynasty leagues. Ponder isn't a good deep ball thrower, so he'll rely on Rudolph and Harvin all day.

 

[Chazzhawk]

I seen him play live a couple times in college and thought to myself, damn this kid is good. After his first year in the NFL, I was wondering if maybe he was just bigger and more physically gifted than the rest of the guys in college and dominated on talent alone and he would be lost at this level. I think he is proving this to not be true. I am buying in all keeper leagues.

 

[Johnny Rock]

Elite hands and size. Good speed.

Remember, he and Ponder both missed out on training camp their rookie years but he still did ok. It's also been reported that Rudolph was never fully healthy last year coming off injury and reported his explosiveness was back this year. Then you had the failed QB experiment in 2011 that was McNabb.

Rudolph and Ponder have a great rapport. He'll only be 23 in November. Definitely passes the eye test. Excited he's with the Vikings.

 

[domvin]

I seen him play live a couple times in college and thought to myself, damn this kid is good. After his first year in the NFL, I was wondering if maybe he was just bigger and more physically gifted than the rest of the guys in college and dominated on talent alone and he would be lost at this level. I think he is proving this to not be true. I am buying in all keeper leagues.

This.From the same hometown, local schools, and ND fan. Whenever i was watching him I kept thinking i was gonna snag him in any leagues i could. He played with a partially torn hammy and still was effective his junior year.Spoke with some guys who trained with him who said his talent and athleticism were off the charts during pre combine prep.I think this is just the beginning...

 

[mrfrood]

Rudolph The Red Zone Reindeer. 'Nuff said.

Ponder and him have a bromance. Rudolph is the New Deal and The Real Deal. I could see him finishing the season in the top 5 for tight ends.

 

[Nucker101]

He's great in the red zone, has great hands and a solid route runner with good speed. I think he's going to be a solid TE1 for years to come with Ponder throwing him the ball. I agree that he could be a top 5 TE in non-ppr leagues.

 

[Nicolas Cocaign]

Rudolph The Red Zone Reindeer. 'Nuff said.Ponder and him have a bromance. Rudolph is the New Deal and The Real Deal. I could see him finishing the season in the top 5 for tight ends.

Pro Football Focus has him top 5 in their TE dynasty ranks. I am buying wherever I can.

 

[Purple_King]

As a Vikings fan who watches all their games, I can't say he'll be elite this year. We don't don't get a lot of red zone opportunities to begin with. Rudolph doesn't get a whole lot of yards either. We play a west coast offence but our offensive coordinator has yet to open up the playbook. Most of our passes seem to go for 5 yards, and if they do, it'll be a wr that catches it, not Rudolph. Another thing is Rudolph doesn't get much separation. He is a mismatch in the red zone but not as a down field threat.

 

[belljr]

I seen him play live a couple times in college and thought to myself, damn this kid is good. After his first year in the NFL, I was wondering if maybe he was just bigger and more physically gifted than the rest of the guys in college and dominated on talent alone and he would be lost at this level. I think he is proving this to not be true. I am buying in all keeper leagues.

I also think it's taken his hamstring surgery a little longer to be 100%. I know that is almost 2 years ago but when hamstrings rip off the bone, I would think it takes a while to get back to feeling comfortable....

 

[Pigskin Fanatic]

Rudolf reportedly did not practice today. From CBS:

ESPN 1500 reports Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph was held out of practice Wednesday to rest a sore thigh. Minnesota is at NFC North rival Detroit in Week 4. "Yeah, he’s just a little sore. So, give him a day here, see how he feels (Thursday)," coach Leslie Frazier said.(Updated 9/26/12)

 

[texasheat]

Why yes, yes he is.

 

[Dr Octagon]

just resting?

 

[Sabertooth]

I think he's the real deal to answer the OP. And why not, he's got the ability and situation. I traded for him in two leagues right before the season started and I am optimistic that we are just scratching the surface.

 

[Wadsworth]

just resting?

I am not going to worry unless he misses practice today.

 

[Alluro]

poor man's jason witten

 

[pittstownkiller]

poor man's jason witten

I wish Jason Witten was the poor man's Jason Witten, right about now.

 

[Heatman]

Very much so. Very much so, indeed.

 

[Wadsworth]

poor man's jason witten

Maybe in terms of catches and yards, but to this point in his career Rudolph looks to be more of a TD threat. Witten rookie year: 7 starts, 35 for 347 and 1 TDRudolph rookie year: 8 starts, 26 for 249 and 3 TDsAlso, Witten went for close to 1,000 his second season but only had 6 TDs. Rudulph has 3 in 3 games so far and is on pace for around 700 yards.

 

[Heatman]

When your coach says you have ten foot fishing nets for hands I believe you will have the trust of your QB and your coaching staff. He catches anything even close to him and he is just getting started.

 

[pmark]

poor man's jason witten

I wish Jason Witten was the poor man's Jason Witten, right about now.

I actually had both and I just dropped Witten. I think Rudolph is going to be at least as good as Witten this year.

 

[ponchsox]

What a stinker yesterday but the game was won by Vikings special teams and running to protect the lead.

 

[atcdav]

Like ALL TEs, sometimes they disappear for fantasy offensive production, just like Gronk last week. Rudolph is good. So is Pitta....

 

[solorca]

A lot of tight ends had rough days yesterday.

Vernon, Celek, Bennett, rudolph, etc.

 

[Shutout]

What a stinker yesterday but the game was won by Vikings special teams and running to protect the lead.

I think yesterday's game kind of illustrates EBF's point made earlier. To be TRULY legit (as in the way of being in the conversation of being "Gronk-like", etc), you must have a good target volume and not rely on TDS so much. Guys like Rudolph are similar to the Finleys and Chandlers and Bennetts in that they certainly can put up really good points on any given week, yet they aren't targeted heavily enough in their own system to maintain the high floor like a Gronk, Graham, Gonzo (right now) does.

 

[ponchsox]

What a stinker yesterday but the game was won by Vikings special teams and running to protect the lead.

I think yesterday's game kind of illustrates EBF's point made earlier. To be TRULY legit (as in the way of being in the conversation of being "Gronk-like", etc), you must have a good target volume and not rely on TDS so much. Guys like Rudolph are similar to the Finleys and Chandlers and Bennetts in that they certainly can put up really good points on any given week, yet they aren't targeted heavily enough in their own system to maintain the high floor like a Gronk, Graham, Gonzo (right now) does.

Which leads me to believe his value this year is in TD heavy leagues or as a bye week replacement and not someone who is emerging as a top fantasy TE.

 

[Shawn]

A lot of tight ends had rough days yesterday. Vernon, Celek, Bennett, rudolph, etc.

It happens. Calvin put up 4 points and julio put up 3. Everyone can have a bad game. or a really good one, Greg Zuerlien(pk) put up 19 points in my league that gives slight bonuses to longer fgs.

 

[ShaHBucks]

What a stinker yesterday but the game was won by Vikings special teams and running to protect the lead.

I think yesterday's game kind of illustrates EBF's point made earlier. To be TRULY legit (as in the way of being in the conversation of being "Gronk-like", etc), you must have a good target volume and not rely on TDS so much. Guys like Rudolph are similar to the Finleys and Chandlers and Bennetts in that they certainly can put up really good points on any given week, yet they aren't targeted heavily enough in their own system to maintain the high floor like a Gronk, Graham, Gonzo (right now) does.

Exactly what I was going to say. The targets aren't there to be elite

 

[Biabreakable]

What a stinker yesterday but the game was won by Vikings special teams and running to protect the lead.

I think yesterday's game kind of illustrates EBF's point made earlier. To be TRULY legit (as in the way of being in the conversation of being "Gronk-like", etc), you must have a good target volume and not rely on TDS so much. Guys like Rudolph are similar to the Finleys and Chandlers and Bennetts in that they certainly can put up really good points on any given week, yet they aren't targeted heavily enough in their own system to maintain the high floor like a Gronk, Graham, Gonzo (right now) does.

Which leads me to believe his value this year is in TD heavy leagues or as a bye week replacement and not someone who is emerging as a top fantasy TE.

Rudolph is still 2nd on the team in total targets. He had 5 targets against the Lions but only caught 2 of them. If the Vikings were not protecting a lead all game he may have been more involved. The Vikings were also featuring Jerome Simpson more in this game. His modest success (particularly the pass interference calls) is going to help the Viking offense as a whole once Simpson's role gets established. I still see Rudolph as being the #2 target in the Viking offense moving forward.Rudolph only has 23 targets to date so he has not had the same looks as some of the other TE's in the 30+ range but he is not that far behind them and these things tend to even themselves out over time.The Viking offense is pretty conservative however so that should temper ones expectations. I am confident in Rudolph finishing top 12 or so at TE this season but there is a lot of competition for that top 5 slot.

 

[loose circuits]

is he going to sit this week? seems like he was finally emerging