Fansided

Fantasy football: 8 late round TE to target

By Zachary Thompson

May 28, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill (89) during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill (89) during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 9
Next
Aug 9, 2015; Canton, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) makes a catch while being tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Shayon Green (49) and inside linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) during the first quarter at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2015; Canton, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) makes a catch while being tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Shayon Green (49) and inside linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) during the first quarter at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

Kyle Rudolph-Minnesota Vikings

Rudolph has had a quiet preseason catching seven passes for 61 yards and not finding the end zone.  However, he still has huge upside and appears to be 100% healthy which could result in a breakout season just a year after he was one of the hottest preseason sleepers.

Last year, Norv Turner took over the Vikings Offensive Coordinator role and many people were hyping Rudolph as a breakout candidate since Turner’s offense has been so focused on the tight end in previous stops.  He made Antonio Gates a fantasy star in his time in San Diego and boosted Jordan Cameron in his last stop in Cleveland before joining Minnesota.  Unfortunately for those who invested in Rudolph, though, the offense struggled early and the big tight end was hurt in week three never fully getting back healthy.  He flashed his potential in a week 15 performance against Detroit when he had seven catches for 69 yards, but didn’t get much work aside from that game.

The one positive to take from that game last season is that he seemed to have a solid rapport with Teddy Bridgewater who many expect to take the leap to the next level this season in Turner’s pass-heavy scheme.  If he does, he’ll likely take Rudolph with him and the former Notre Dame pass-catcher could end up in the top ten at tight end by the end of the season.

The main obstacle to Rudolph’s emergence will be his health, so don’t worry about his slow preseason and instead focus on his health.  Right now, Rudolph is the 14th tight end off the board going 151 overall making him a late round TE worth taking a flier on since he has huge potential as a red zone target.

Next: Tyler Eifert-Cincinnati Bengals

Home/Cincinnati Bengals