5 teams that should acquire tight end Kyle Rudolph

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 23: Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) heads for the locker room at the end of the first half during a regular season game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions on December 23, 2018 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 03: Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) during Super Bowl LIII between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots on February 3, 2019 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Los Angeles Rams

The NFC West has a lot of good potential fits for Kyle Rudolph, with the Rams nearing the top of the list. Los Angeles has invested in the tight end position in recent years, drafting Gerald Everett and Tyler Higbee in the middle rounds, but neither has developed into a true game breaker.

The Rams’ offensive has plenty of vertical explosiveness with Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods around, but it was significantly lacking in the intermediate passing game when Cooper Kupp went down with a season-ending injury. That absence was exposed in the Super Bowl, when the Patriots smothered the Rams’ outside receivers and made Jared Goff hold the ball for far too long.

Adding Rudolph would change that equation, giving the Rams a dependable pass catcher over the middle to pair with the returning Kupp. The presence of Rudolph could also be a boon in the development of Everett and Higbee, who the Rams still believe can be factors in their offense going forward.

Los Angeles can also use Rudolph’s blocking ability as well to help create more running lanes for Todd Gurley, who was one of the league’s most dynamic rushers the past two years. Keeping him away from other potential competitors would be a good thing for the Rams, who are trying to take advantage of a win-now window.

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