Kyle Rudolph Fantasy

The Minnesota Vikings agreed with tight end Kyle Rudolph on a four-year, $36 million contract extension on Monday, according to a source. It's bad news for the fantasy stock of second-round tight end Irv Smith in his rookie season, but Rudolph will have to keep producing in order to hold off the youngster of the next few seasons. The 29-year-old Rudolph was a disappointment to those that drafted him as a TE1 last year, catching 64 passes for 634 yards and four touchdowns over a full season. Rudolph still has TE1 appeal, but he'll need to find the end zone to deliver for his owners. The good news is that he's in an offense that should have plenty of chances to put points on the board consistently.

Jun. 11th • 12:55 AM

Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph confirmed on Wednesday that the team offered him a five-year contract extension, but he has not accepted it. The extension would keep him under contract through his age-35 season in 2024. He is scheduled to make $7.275 million in the final deal of his contract, but none of it is guaranteed and the Vikings are looking to gain salary cap space. Rudolph has been told that other teams are also interested in trading for him. Head coach Mike Zimmer believes that Rudolph will remain with the team, but Minnesota also drafted tight end Irv Smith in the second round, so they have some insurance. Rudolph's 2019 fantasy value will depend on whether he sticks in Minnesota or lands somewhere else, but he's become a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE1 in recent seasons.

May. 23rd • 1:52 PM

The Minnesota Vikings continue to discuss a contract extension with tight end Kyle Rudolph, but neither side has made much progress, per a source with knowledge of the situation. Minnesota has also offered Rudolph a five-year extension which would give him a new-money average among the highest paid tight ends in the NFL. An extension would also likely reduce his current salary cap number of $7.625 million. The source said the Vikes haven't asked Rudolph to take a pay cut in the final year of his current deal in 2018. The team drafted tight end Irv Smith in the second round last month, leading many to believe that Rudolph would be gone. Rudolph can be a solid red-zone fantasy weapon, but he's dependent on those touchdowns and could see a lighter workload with Smith now in the fold if he remains in Minnesota.

May. 17th • 1:38 PM

The Minnesota Vikings broke off contract talks with tight end Kyle Rudolph on Friday morning, according to sources. Rudolph is due $7.5 million and could be a trade candidate after the Vikes selected Irv Smith in last month's draft. The 29-year-old Rudolph would still have a role in Minnesota if he stayed in 2019, but he'd obviously lose some looks to the rookie down the middle of the field. Rudolph had 64 catches for 634 yards and four touchdowns in 2018, but he's become more of a low-end, touchdown-dependent TE1 in recent seasons. A trade elsewhere would be the best for his fantasy value.

May. 10th • 2:08 PM

The Minnesota Vikings tried to trade tight end Kyle Rudolph before and during the NFL draft and then selected tight end Irv Smith in the second round, according to sources. We believe Irv is a perfect fit for our new scheme offensively, what they want to do in terms of a mismatch guy, Minnesota director of college scouting Jamaal Stephenson said. Rudolph has a $7.625 million salary cap hit in 2019 and the Vikes are strapped for cash. It's possible the 29-year-old will have to rework his contract if he remains on the roster. Smith gives the Vikes speed over the middle and versatility, while Rudolph is a dependable threat in the red zone. Minnesota only used two-tight end sets 20 percent of the time last year, but that could increase with both Smith and Rudolph around. Smith's presence is bad news for Rudolph if he stays, though, and he'll be more of a low-end, touchdown-dependent TE1.

May. 2nd • 3:10 PM