Vikings Training Camp 2018: Previewing the tight ends
By Chris Schad
The Starter:
Kyle Rudolph
The best off-field comparison that Rudolph can garner is a loaf of white bread. Sure, it’s not the most exciting option and it usually just does its job, but every once in a while it can step up and go above and beyond its expectations.
Okay, so that might have been a weird comparison, but Rudolph is the definition of a steady tight end.
He can carve out a path to help Dalvin Cook or Latavius Murray get a couple extra yards on the ground or he can also go out for a pass and come up with a crucial red zone touchdown when the Vikings need it the most.
One of Kirk Cousins’ weaknesses during his career has been an inability to cash in on red zone opportunities. But Rudolph has the skill set to thrive in the red zone with 37 career touchdowns (including seven last season).
During Minnesota’s OTAs this spring, Cousins was fond of the Notre Dame product saying that throwing to him was like, “throwing into a mattress.”
If Rudolph’s play is as smooth as his response to that comment, he could be looking at a nice season.