5 Vikings players to watch in Week 3 against the Raiders

Kyle Rudolph/Irv Smith – TEs

The Vikings offense so far this season has been, for the most part, Dalvin Cook. They want to run the ball and have been running the ball with success this season. Thielen and Diggs got a bit of action last Sunday against the Packers but maybe it’s time to get their two tight ends more involved.

Kyle Rudolph was shut out in the season opener against the Falcons but did catch 3 passes for 9 yards against the Packers. Irv Smith caught the first pass of his career last week but it went for -1 yards. The Vikings have two good weapons here at the tight end position and this is a good week to start using them.

The Minnesota Vikings have been running the ball with great success this year and can use that to create opportunities for Rudolph and Smith. They could go with some two-tight end sets which would give Oakland’s defense the indication they are going to run the ball. This could free up Rudolph and Smith to get one on one with a linebacker or safety and that is a battle these talented pass catchers will win every time.

Also, Kirk Cousins could stand to get some confidence restored this week. So Stefanski can whip up some nice safe routes that utilize these tight ends and get them open where Cousins can make some easy throws.

The Vikings tight ends have been a very underutilized part of the offense so far in 2019, look for that to change in Week 3 and moving forward.