5 Vikings whose jobs are in danger after the 2019 NFL Draft

Kyle Rudolph – TE

Rudolph’s future with the Vikings was already in doubt before the first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft was even made. But Minnesota’s decision to select Alabama tight end Irv Smith Jr. in the second round certainly seems like the team is inching closer to pushing the veteran out the door.

Entering his ninth year with the Vikings, Rudolph has been in the middle of trade rumors for almost the entire offseason. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone though.

Rudolph will turn 30-years-old in November, he’s in the final year of his current contract, and he has the tools to still put together another solid season or two. So far though, Minnesota obviously hasn’t been able to find a team willing to offer them what they want in exchange for the veteran tight end.

Depending on how well Smith Jr. performs during this summer’s training camp and the preseason, however, Rudolph could still be on his way out before the Vikings step on the field for Week 1 in 2019.

Another scenario that could result in Minnesota dealing their longtime tight end would be if another team loses one of their top tight ends to an injury over the next few months. Rudolph could then end up being a guy this team attempts to acquire in a trade.

Even if he still finds his way onto the Vikings’ final 2019 roster, don’t expect Rudolph’s name to not be involved in any trade rumors until after next season’s trade deadline passes by.