FanDuel NFL: Week 15 lineup

Fantasy football predictions: CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 09: Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) gains yards on a run in the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers played on December 9, 2018 at the StubHub Center in Carson, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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FOXBOROUGH, MA – DECEMBER 2: Vikings Kyle Rudolph grabs a pass from Kirk Cousins late in the second quarter on the drive that resulted in a Minnesota touchdown. The Patriots Patrick Chung (23) defends. The New England Patriots hosted the Minnesota Vikings in a regular season NFL football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Dec. 02, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Tight End: Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings- $5,600

As discussed earlier, things are falling apart in Minnesota. But, there is hope for the Vikings to finish strong with, especially after they fired offensive coordinator John DeFilippo.

Of course, DeFilippo could have just been the scapegoat for Kirk Cousins’ mediocre play. Nevertheless, it presents a good opportunity for a player like Rudolph to get back on schedule.

Through 13 games, Rudolph has tallied 48 receptions, 470 yards and two touchdowns. Amongst all tight ends, he is ranked eighth in receptions. To put that into perspective, he has more receptions than players like Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham, David Njoku and O.J. Howard.

He is third on the roster in receptions and yards, which is great considering his teammates are Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.

Last week against the Seattle Seahawks, Rudolph had a terrible game, but so did the entire offense. He was targeted five times but, only caught two passes for seven yards, which was a season-low for yards in a single game.

Prior to the game in Seattle, Rudolph compiled 10 receptions for 101 yards against his previous two opponents. In five games this year, he has had at least five receptions and 40 yards.

This week, Rudolph takes on the team he has never faced in his eight-year NFL career, the Miami Dolphins. Miami has allowed opposing tight ends to score 11.9 fantasy points per game.

They have given up 696 yards and nine touchdowns to the position group. The Oakland Raiders are the only team in the NFL that has allowed tight ends to score as many touchdowns as the Dolphins.

In three games this season, the Dolphins have allowed the position group to score at least two touchdowns in a single game. Last week against the Patriots, Gronkowski torched the Dolphins with eight receptions for 107 yards and one touchdown.

Rudolph is not going to have a Gronkowski- like game, but there is a reason to be optimistic about this matchup. More importantly, by spending less at the tight end position, the rest of the lineup benefits.