Four directions the Vikings can go after Kyle Rudolph’s release

  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

On Tuesday, the Vikings released their longest-tenured player: tight end Kyle Rudolph.

Rudolph will be missed for his highlights on the field and his overall impact in the community. He was a part of many different, fun Vikings teams. His game-winning touchdown reception against the Saints in the 2019 postseason will live on.

That said, this move did not seem all that surprising, given Minnesota’s salary cap situation and what Rudolph said publicly earlier in the offseason.

It will certainly be strange to see the Vikings’ tight end unit without Rudolph leading it. Here are some directions the team can go now with its tight end unit for the 2021 NFL season:

Don't add anything major to the tight end unit

Minnesota Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. Photo: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

This is the simplest solution to Rudolph getting released: Just go with Irv Smith Jr. and Tyler Conklin as the two main options. OK, so Minnesota would probably have to add a third-string tight end for depth, but the team could just go with an undrafted free agent or late-round pick if the Vikings believe in Smith Jr. and Conklin.

Draft a tight end early

Florida Gators TE Kyle Pitts. Photo: Brad McClenny/USA TODAY NETWORK

This is an interesting solution. Smith Jr. seems capable of being a good passing option as the tight end one. Conklin didn't do anything all that poorly in 2020, but he's probably not going to be one of the Vikings' top options in the passing game. Minnesota may want to draft a tight end early. Players like Florida's Kyle Pitts or Miami's Brevin Jordan — both of whom are top tight end prospects in this year's draft — could be available. Although, it should be pointed out that many analysts think there is a drop off between Pitts and the rest of the class. Adding a tight end who could come in and thrive as a rookie would make that position group tough to stop. Smith Jr. and a player like Pitts would certainly elevate the offense. And we've already seen that Conklin can be a serviceable third tight end.

Adding a tight end in free agency

Green Bay Packers tight end Marcedes Lewis. Photo: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

This one would be a little surprising, considering the Vikings had to release Rudolph in a year where they could be struggling with salary cap money. However, there are cheaper options than Rudolph out there. PFF projects tight end Marcedes Lewis to only make 2.08 million on a one-year deal in 2021. Lewis has shown flashes of being a good tight end and him paired with Smith Jr. could be interesting. There's also Tyler Kroft, who was a decent tight end for the Bills last year and is only supposed to get 2 million in free agency, according to PFF's projections.

Draft a wide receiver three

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Here's another way of looking at Rudolph's departure: The Vikings could use an extra option for Kirk Cousins to throw to in 2021. What if, instead of a tight end, that player is a wide receiver three that Minnesota took early in the draft? Alabama's DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle, along with Minnesota's Rashod Bateman, would all be good options in the first round. Oklahoma State's Tylan Wallace and USC's Amon-Ra St. Brown are good choices for beyond the first. The Vikings adding a wide receiver three capable of creating separation and making contested catches would change the potential of the offense. Opposing defensive backs could not hone in on any one receiving option with all the weapons the team would have out there.

1

1