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Minnesota Vikings: Top 3 Fantasy Football value picks for 2017

By Josh Clarke

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 1: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with teammates after scoring a 10 yard touchdown run in the third quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears on January 1, 2017 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 1: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with teammates after scoring a 10 yard touchdown run in the third quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears on January 1, 2017 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Kyle Rudolph #82 of the Minnesota Vikings runs after a catch for a first down during the second quarter of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Kyle Rudolph #82 of the Minnesota Vikings runs after a catch for a first down during the second quarter of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Kyle Rudolph

When it comes to tight ends in the fantasy football realm there is King Gronkowksi and a host of viable contenders competing to dethrone him. Gronk typically gets drafted towards the end of the first round and the chasing pack go anywhere from the 4th to the 10th round.  Kyle Rudolph’s average draft position is currently at the end of the 8th in 12 team leagues but hopefully by the end of the slide you will agree that he is undervalued, especially if you are a pessimist.

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The previous two players we have focused on represent great value as long as the Vikings offense improves as expected, with a better ground game and a higher proportion of targets distributed to their developing wide receivers. The projections are encouraging but what if things don’t go to plan? If the wide receivers don’t develop as expected, if the revamped offensive line isn’t an upgrade or if Dalvin Cook can’t handle the hype. If the plan doesn’t come to fruition, Rudolph should be the one player that shines.

Last season in the Vikings less than ideal offense, Kyle Rudolph had career highs in many significant categories. With 132 targets, 83 receptions, 840 yards and 7 touchdowns, Rudolph finished as the 3rd overall fantasy tight end and 7th in points per game. Some might see last season as an outlier compared to his previous average fantasy outings but I prefer to look at it as a 27-year-old reaching his athletic prime and fulfilling his potential.

Rudolph should also be more reliable than the other tight ends being drafted in the 6th-10th round range. Tyler Eifert can’t stay healthy (nor can Gronk, Reed or Graham for that matter), Martellus Bennet is entering a new system with many other targets, Delanie Walker just turned 33, Hunter Henry will lose reps to Antiono Gates and Zack Ertz has never scored more than 4 touchdowns in a season. Rudolph on the other hand is in his prime, has played every game in the last 2 seasons, is the unquestioned starter and is a proven red zone asset.

Next: Vikings Madden 18 Ratings

Most analysts have Rudolph ranked respectfully, the Fantasy Footballers have him 8th and Fantasy Pros have him 7th but if the Vikings offense struggles once again I predict he will make the top 5. If the Vikings offense is good, maybe he can be even better.

Recommendation: Take him in the 7th – 9th range depending on when your leagues run on tight ends starts

Team Name: Rudolph the Red Zone Reindeer

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