RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target in Late Rounds as High-End TE2
Current ADP: 165 STD, 147 PPR
ANALYSIS: Although Minnesota is still looking for everything to come together for the injury-prone Kyle Rudolph, the immense size and upside are still there. Rudolph is 6’6” and 260 lbs-- making him a terrifying red zone threat.
Between his foot injury in 2013 and his abdomen/groin injury in 2014, Rudolph played in just 17 games over the previous two seasons. Even when healthy, he was not overly impressive, catching only five touchdown passes and racking up 544 yards combined.
Despite the negatives, a lot of positives can be found by looking back to his healthy 2012 season. In an offense led mostly by Christian Ponder, the tight end received 93 targets for nine touchdowns and 493 yards. Throw in a more-than-competent quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater, and Rudolph can easily bump his touchdown count up to 12 or more next year.
If he can stay healthy, he will certainly rank high enough to be a starting TE in standard leagues. Bridgewater’s scrambling ability will result in more checkdown throws to Rudolph on third downs and goal line plays.
He’s one of the hardest working players in the league, giving him an added bonus when considering which high-upside player to take with a late pick.
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