Grading every Minnesota Vikings position group from the 2020 season
By Adam Carlson
Tight Ends
The Vikings made the bold move to give Kyle Rudolph the NFL’s fifth-highest salary per year last offseason, linking him to the team through 2023. However, that might have to change considering what the team has been able to do recently at the position.
Rudolph was only able to play 12 games this past season. In those 12 appearances, he only averaged 27.8 yards per game, and he managed just one trip to the end zone. Considering he had a cap hit of around $8.8 million in 2020, that had to be disappointing.
In his place, Irv Smith Jr. shined. Not only did Smith show some great potential as a blocker, but he outgained Rudolph in receiving yards 365 to 334 and he had five times as many touchdowns as the veteran.
Tyler Conklin got more involved in the offense this year, grabbing 19 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown. He has given the Vikings enough reason to want to give him and Smith more playing time in 2021, which can’t be good for the future of Rudolph, who turns 32 later this year.
2020 Grade: C+