5 biggest Minnesota Vikings fantasy football risks of 2019

Kyle Rudolph – TE

Speaking of Kyle Rudolph, he had one of the more interesting years as a fantasy tight end in 2018. He ended as the ninth-best fantasy tight end overall, but you wouldn’t have expected that with where the majority of experts have him ranked this year.

It was a bit of an up and down campaign for him last season. Rudolph had flashes where he would put up double-digit fantasy numbers, but then there were times where how would put up a complete stinker. The tight end landscape as a whole was generally just a stinker for fantasy owners all year unless you owned players like Travis Kelce or George Kittle.

This year could be a lot different. Through the early stages of Gary Kubiak’s coaching career, tight ends put up above-average receiving yard totals for their teams in a seven-game span. Obviously, that bodes very well for Rudolph.

He appears to be a great value considering FantasyPros has him ranked as the 18th overall tight end this year. Could we be in for another headache fantasy season from Rudolph this year though?

The Vikings drafted former Alabama tight end Irv Smith Jr. back in April. He appears to be the future and he has looked very solid in training camp this summer.

Even though Minnesota signed Rudolph to a contract extension this year, it doesn’t mean they won’t try to work Smith in more or use two tight ends. If so, it could force the ball to the No. 2 tight end on the team who may draw easier coverage than the seasoned vet.