That’s right, some forget that before Smith and Rudolph spent nine years in the same Vikings locker room, they were at the iconic Notre Dame University together from 2008 — when they both arrived on campus together as freshman — until Rudolph declared for the draft, after the 2010 season (Smith stayed one more year).

Minnesota Vikings stars Kyle Rudolph and Harrison Smith didn’t need this connection

That’s why the two would room together early in their Vikings careers… even when they were home. Kyle Rudolph has now been retired for two season, but he remains plenty connected to Minnesota, and the Vikings.

On a recent appearance on Barstool’s Pardon My Take podcast, Rudolph was asked about the hardest he had ever been hit on the football field. It was delivered by Lance Briggs, of the Chicago Bears. Apparently, the ball wasn’t even thrown his way. Briggs lit him up anyway.

Kyle Rudolph got hit by Lance Briggs so hard he forgot what month it was pic.twitter.com/EisdK9u9Qq

— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) October 18, 2024

“Lance Briggs in Chicago. It was the Sunday after Thanksgiving, we were playing in Chicago, noon kickoff. I was running like a crossing route. I didn’t get the ball, and he came down and just like smoked me. Probably would be a penalty today. I was like sitting on the ground and it was kinda like one of those things I was collecting my thoughts. Didn’t really hit me right away. I was like, okay he hit me pretty good. Go back to the huddle, the next play was fourth and goal.

We ended up turning it over on downs. Went to the sideline. I think the Bears went three and out, they punted it back to us, and then like, we went three and out on the next drive we got the ball back. It was autopilot. I was out there, I was in the huddle, where I was supposed to be, I ran the route that I was supposed to run. No clue, no clue, no recollection. Come to the sideline and like one of the practice squad tight ends tossed me a beanie. ‘Bro, what’s this for?” It’s your hat. ‘What do I need a hat for?’ They were like, should our head trainer, they were like, you should talk to Rudy.”

Kyle Rudolph on the hardest hit he ever took (Pardon My Take)

Rudolph says he was knocked out cold. He went even went on to say that he couldn’t even remember who the Vikings were playing, and that he believed it was October (in case you forgot, Thanksgiving is in November). Here’s the play from November 25, 2012.

It doesn’t look as violent as Rudolph describes but you can see he was shook. This was Kyle’s second year in the NFL. He was targeted 9 times that day by Christian Ponder. The then 23-year-old caught five of them for 55 yards and a touchdown. Adrian Peterson ran the ball 18 times for 108 yards in a Vikings loss.

So I Found the play where Kyle Rudolph was KO'd by Lance Briggs (Nov 25, 2012) https://t.co/gEsJUnYhfG pic.twitter.com/EUZ1KgaoJP

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) October 20, 2024

Related: Hockenson, Risner Meet Same Fate in Flurry of Minnesota Vikings Roster Moves

That wasn’t going to bode well for him staying in the game. After failing his iPad test, the Vikings team doctor asked if Rudolph had anyone that could watch over him that evening. He quickly offered that teammate Harrison Smith was his roommate.

“I’m like yeah, live with Harrison Smith. They’re like, he’s on the table over there. Knocked himself out in the first quarter. They were like, well, do both of you have someone that can take care of you? My now wife, Jordan, we were like, she’ll take care of us. It was funny because they told her. Typical don’t watch TV, make sure you wake em up throughout the course of the night. We got back and were watching Sunday Night Football in a dark room. Exactly what you’re not supposed to do. Don’t you dare wake us up. Like, if we’re sleeping, don’t wake us up.”

Kyle Rudolph explaining Harrison Smith also was knocked out in the same game (Pardon My Take)

Obviously concussion protocols are substantially different at this point. Rudolph did try to get himself back in the game after he quickly jogged his memory due to a Notre Dame win over USC. That wasn’t going to be enough to get him back out there though. Although there isn’t immediate video of the Briggs hit, X (formerly Twitter) takes last forever.

Lance Briggs cleaned Rudolph!! Lmaoo

— Pooch (@Pooch824) November 25, 2012

Lance Briggs murdered Kyle Rudolph! #Bears

— Finally Writing (@TheMaddWriter) November 25, 2012

Lance Briggs literally annihilated Kyle Rudolph. #wow

— Kev (@CheddaKev) November 25, 2012

Related: Former Minnesota Vikings EDGE Welcomes Revenge Factor NFC North Trade Rumors

It’s unfortunate that’s a hit Rudolph needed to endure. It was bad enough he has always remembered it, and I’d guess Smith knows the story well also. Here’s to hoping for a clean bill of health regarding the Minnesota safety following action on Sunday.

Kyle Rudolph is all in on the Minnesota Vikings

Last week Kyle Rudolph was on the call for the Minnesota Gophers game against Rhode Island. This week he is suggesting that the Minnesota Vikings will start 2-0. Rudolph joined the Up and Adams show and sees his former employer pulling off an upset on Sunday.

“I called it last year last year on Monday Night football… Yeah, I’m gonna call it. I’m going with the #Vikings, they’re going to knock em off.”

–@KyleRudolph picking purple to start the season 2-0.

pic.twitter.com/WNXjnEAsmB

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) September 12, 2024

“I mean I called it last year on Monday Night Football when they beat the Niners in Minnesota. Yeah, I’m gunna call it. I’m going with the Vikings again. They’re gunna knock em off.”

Kyle Rudolph on the Minnesota Vikings Week 2 matchup

Rudolph did mistakenly suggest that Christian McCaffrey was out for last year’s matchup. The running back did play and tallied 45 yards on 15 carries. He also added 51 yards receiving and found the end zone twice. It is likely that Rudolph was thinking of Deebo Samuel, who did miss the game last season.

There have been conflicting reports as to McCaffrey’s availability on Sunday. It seems as though Kyle Shanahan will have his superstar back in action. Either way, the outcome for Minnesota will be largely reliant on how Sam Darnold fares in a tougher test.

Related: Two More Surprise Starters Land on Minnesota Vikings Injury Report

Minnesota could put the league on notice should they reel off a second straight victory.

Minnesota Vikings seeking a strong start

A 28-6 victory in Week 1 was an impressive start to the season for the Minnesota Vikings. That outcome taking place against the New York Giants waters down the impact just a bit. San Francisco is coming off a Super Bowl appearance last season, and they are primed to return again this year. Minnesota pulling the upset would be more than notable.

🚨THIS IS ELECTRIC: The vibes on the #Vikings sideline on Sunday were immaculate.

Kevin O'Connell always seems to have his players ready to go & they love playing for him.

Justin Jefferson & Sam Darnold’s connection is real.

(🎥Vikings & @TPPSkol)
pic.twitter.com/CX3POXDUZb

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 11, 2024

After beating the 49ers last season the Minnesota Vikings lost Kirk Cousins for the year against the Green Bay Packers. They won just three of their final nine games and found themselves in a position to turn the most important parts of their roster over.

Even if this season is seen as a transition year, the Vikings could rewrite their own narrative. Plenty of believers exist within the locker room. Their continued strong performance will create more of them outside of the organization as well.

Related: How Do the Minnesota Vikings Beat the San Francisco 49ers?

San Francisco shouldn’t scare the Vikings as they knocked them off just a season ago. Kyle Rudolph was right the first time. He certainly could be right again.

Minnesota vs Rhode Island is not available on your standard TV package. Instead, this weekend’s contest is being streamed exclusively on Peacock, an NBC product. It’s part of the lucrative broadcasting deal the Big Ten inked prior to the 2023 season.

Kyle Rudolph on the Minnesota Gophers call vs Rams

Finding the game won’t be familiar, but the face you see before kickoff will be. The U announced on Thursday that former Minnesota Vikings tight end, Kyle Rudolph, will be the game’s TV analyst, next to play-by-play announcer, Brendan Burke.

Calling the Minnesota-Rhode Island game on @peacock on Saturday will be @brendanmburke, @KyleRudolph and @carolinepineda_

Saturday will be the first time calling a game for each of them at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Rudolph did pay at HBS in 2014-15 as a member of the @Vikings

— Paul Rovnak (@paulrovnak) September 5, 2024

Kyle Rudolph played with the Minnesota Vikings for 10 years, amassing 453 receptions, 4,488 yards and 48 touchdowns in purple. This is his second season working as an analyst for the Big Ten. He also called some USFL games in the summer of 2023.

He’s never worked a game at Huntington Bank Stadium, but Kyle did play home games there with the Vikings, during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, while we all waiting for US Bank Stadium to be constructed. Back then, it was TCF Bank Stadium.

Related: Max Brosmer is Not to Blame for Gophers Loss vs Tar Heels; Neither is PJ Fleck

The now 34-year-old Rudolph caught 36 passes, for 395 yards and 5 touchdowns, in 13 games at the since-rebranded stadium. His record was an impressive 9-4. How about he brings some of that hometown luck to the Minnesota Gophers this weekend?

Rudolph Begs for Return to Minnesota

So now, Kyle Rudolph wants to return to Minnesota. At least, that’s what he told Paul Allen (KFAN Radio) on Tuesday (33:25 mark – transcribed below). His quotes read like a desperate ex-girlfriend who’s realized her mistake.

PA: “Would you like a chance to play [in Minnesota] again, maybe even next season?”

Rudolph: “Absolutely. Umm, I said it when I left here that Minnesota is always home. That’s never been brought to my attention more than when we came back from New Jersey after last season. Whether it’s at the grocery store in Wayzata or at a Timberwolves game…”

“Just being around town after being gone and the amount of people who come up and say ‘I wish you were still here’, or even before I was released in New York, ‘You have to come back here’. Just the amount of love that myself and my family have gotten from people around the state. It’s really kind of opened our eyes by how admired we are by Vikings fans and the amount of love they’ve shown us over the last decade of our lives here.”

“So certainly for me, as I mentioned in the previous segment, there’s still one thing left to do here. And that’s to win a championship in Minnesota. So obviously, I would love an opportunity to have another crack at it. I’ve talked about being very calculated in my next decision, in terms of where I want to go. You know, I’ve never won a Super Bowl. I’d love to hoist the Lombardi at some point in my career, before it’s all said and done. I do believe that this Vikings team has a chance to do that so, certainly, I’d be open to [signing with them].”

Kirk Cousins Apology?

Not only did Kyle Rudolph profess his desire to return to Minnesota, while on the radio Tuesday, but he became the most recent former Viking to walk back prior transgressions committed against Kirk Cousins. No, he didn’t go Everson Griffen on Twitter and savage Cousins in front of the entire internet.

But when Rudolph left town, he did write a 2000+ word thank you letter paying homage to everyone he had ever associated with, while in the state of Minnesota, and never mentioned Kirk Cousins. On Tuesday (41:30 mark above), Rudolph claimed that Cousins’ omittance happened because the two of them weren’t the greatest of friends.

“A lot has been brought up about my letter and not mentioning Kirk in it. But I mentioned, you know, Teddy [Bridgewater] and Sam [Bradford]. But those are guys that I was extremely, extremely close with.“

I’m not sure how that was supposed to help Kyle’s case to return, or repair his relationship with Kirk Cousins. But, it appears that’s what he was going for. Rudolph continues:

“I have no ill will or hard feelings. Kirk is a phenomenal quarterback and he’s been unbelievably successful. Especially if you look at his statistics since he became a starter. Same thing, he’s knocking on that door and I know a deep playoff run and certainly a championship would put him right up there with everybody else in this league. There’s definitely no ill will there, between him and I.”

Those “Lombardi” and “Super Bowl” comments play well when written about by friendly local columnists but how much does Kyle Rudolph actually help a team achieve their Super Bowl dreams, at this point in his career? Probably, not much.

Kyle Rudolph Tenure

One could argue whether or not Kyle Rudolph ever reached his potential with the Minnesota Vikings but his numbers tell most of the story. He posted just one season with over 700 yards receiving and it took 132 targets to get there.

Rudolph was, for the most part, on the field while wearing a Vikings jersey. That means something. And his longevity helped him climb to the top of Minnesota’s tight end record books. He’s caught twenty more touchdowns (48) than any other Vikings tight end in history and sits second, behind Steve Jordan, in TE receiving yards, with 4,488.

Kyle was active in the community and showed a willingness to change his game mid-career, becoming a better blocker, for the betterment of his team and his future. But at this point in Rudolph’s career, the money spent on his veteran minimum contract would be better allocated elsewhere.

I’ll always remember that Kyle Rudolph was able to make Christian Ponder, at times, look competent. For that, he should be celebrated.

I was watching a Christian Ponder highlight video I made in 2012 (that’s for another time) & was reminded of this play where Ponder has AP wide open on the end zone, no one within 15 yards of him, and throws a fadeaway jump ball to a contested Kyle Rudolph.

Peak 2012 #Vikings. pic.twitter.com/D9Gpu6Vc0S

— Ben (@VikingsAndVilla) March 17, 2022

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Vikings released 10-year veteran tight end, Kyle Rudolph yesterday, in the first of many cap-saving maneuvers we will see them make early this offseason. This is a move that was foreseen by everybody, including Kyle himself, for months.

Rudolph was the most tenured Viking before his dismissal and took to the popular “Players’ Tribune” for an extended goodbye to his former team and fanbase.

Thank you Minnesota!! Although my time as a Viking has come to a close, my time as a MINNESOTAN is just getting started! https://t.co/eb2aP3O4vo

— Kyle Rudolph (@KyleRudolph82) March 2, 2021

Thank you, thank you

Kyle Rudolph thanked the Minnesota Vikings owners and coaches, before telling the fanbase that he won’t be gone long. It’s clear that Kyle and his family have grown roots in Minnesota that they plan on quickly returning to, when his playing career is over.

The former Notre Dame TE also thanked and named a few handfuls of former teammates, starting with his friend Chad Greenway and his career teammate, Harrison Smith.

But when he started listing former QB’s… my interest was peaked.

Guys like Hutch, Jared Allen, Adrian Peterson — the core of one of the great teams in franchise history. Guys like Matt Cassel, straight-up one of the best human beings I’ve ever been around. Ev Griffen, a nine-year teammate and an all-time friend. Guys like Eric Kendricks, an amazing competitor, who lined up against me every day in practice and helped mold me into the player I am.

Guys like Sam Bradford, who never got the credit he deserved, but battled through injury for two years to try to get us over the hump. (I sincerely believe that we win a Super Bowl in 2017 if Sam is healthy. Such an incredibly talented dude, an unreal passer when his body was right.) Guys like Teddy Bridgewater, another crazy-talented quarterback who had some terrible injury luck, but inspired all of us with his determination, and definitely left his mark on this team. Man, just so many guys — I could go on and on.

Kyle Rudolph – Players’ Tribune

Something of nothing?

Go ahead and poo-poo this as much as you want, but Kyle Rudolph is a smart guy. The words he put into this article were carefully and meticulously placed. He absolutely thought about Kirk Cousins, when writing about these other guys and he absolutely knows Kirk has thrown him more touchdowns than any QB in his career.

The numbers listed above don’t even include Kirk’s game-winning touchdown to Rudolph vs the Saints in overtime, which advanced them to the divisional round in the 2019 playoffs.

.@Vikings FANS, YOU JUST WALKED OFF AGAINST THE SAINTS IN THE PLAYOFFS AGAIN THANKS TO KYLE RUDOLPH, AND IT'S STILL EVEN BETTER WITH TITANIC MUSIC #SKOL #NFLPlayoffs #NFL100 pic.twitter.com/d2jLB4RJOL

— Jack (@JWillsNH) January 5, 2020

Sam Bradford played with Rudolph for less time and threw him less balls. Bradford also faced a small percentage of the criticism that Cousins has dealt with during his three seasons, and Kirk actually stays on the field. Yet, Rudolph mentioned the off-field noise Bradford had to deal with… and didn’t mention Cousins at all.

I’m not suggesting that Rudolph hates Kirk Cousins. But when Kirk came to town, Kyle was supposed to be one of the largest beneficiaries, given Cousins’ great history with TE1’s of his past. Instead, #82 saw his targets and routes diminish during Kirk’s tenure, while the Vikings turned him into a blocking tight end.

No Ponder either

It should also be noted that Rudolph never mentioned his first Minnesota Vikings QB, Christian Ponder. Say what you want about Ponder, but he QB’d Rudolph’s first Pro Bowl season in 2012 and in that same year, Christian threw him the most single-season touchdowns of any QB of his career (9).

From our "We're Telling you for the Last Time" Series-the last time the #vikings scored a TD vs every NFL team. Today, it's the last TD scored vs the 49ers (#30) Sept 23, 2012. Christian Ponder to Kyle Rudolph. Rudolph catches 6; Ponder a 95 QB rating. @cponder7 @KyleRudolph82 pic.twitter.com/YpPltqkT0m

— VikeFans (@VikeFans) July 15, 2018

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Vikings are heading into the 2021 NFL offseason in “salary cap hell”. According to Spotrac.com, their current roster would usher in the new league year with -$8 million in available funds for Rick Spielman and Co. to work with. That’d make for a rough trip to the ATM…

But, there are some of ways for the Vikings to find extra money in the TCO Performance Center couch cushions. The most popular ways to free up cash for all teams across the league, is by cutting or restructuring player contract, where feasible.

How it works

Of course, it’s not as easy as waving a magic wand that cuts anybody at anytime. Players and agents negotiate to guarantee future money in these contracts and cutting or trading high-profile names will often incur cap penalties. These cap penalties are referred to as, “dead cap”, and are in place to deter teams from making such moves.

Some contracts are more malleable than others and it often depends on how far along in the lifespan a contract is. Normally, cutting or trading newly signed contracts will result in more “dead cap” money, than doing the same with older contracts.

But as NFL contracts age, less and less money is guaranteed and the “dead cap” number goes down, making it easier for teams to cut ties or ask for a renegotiation.

Malleable Vikings Contracts

The Minnesota Vikings have a handful of contracts that are ripe to be re-done or ripped up all together and there’s nearly $50 million in savings on the table. The list, of course, is packed with the most high-profile of names and cutting all of them isn’t in the cards. That’s where restructures could come into play.

How Rick Spielman and Rob Brzezinski choose to move this money around, will not only dictate the course of this offseason, but the course of this franchise.

Decisions Start with Riley Reiff

The players at the top of this list are names that a thin Vikings team can’t really afford to lose. Yet… they can’t afford to pay all of them either. Riley Reiff might be the most difficult to figure out. The outlook at offensive line would topple if Riley isn’t holding down LT.

But, are the Vikings ready and willing to restructure and extend his contract, essentially locking him in as their future LT. He’s only 32 years old but this is a guy they forced to take a pay-cut (or get cut) just before 2020 got underway. That’d be quite the change of heart. If they leave his deal alone, their pockets become tighter this offseason.

And Reiff is only one of many difficult decisions this front office will face over the next few months. One mistake could mean the end of the Rick Spielman + Mike Zimmer Era.

No pressure.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The worst case scenario for the Minnesota Vikings defense vs Tom Brady, Ronald Jones, Gronk and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense on Sunday has come to fruition. Linebacker, and Walter Payton Award Nominee, Eric Kendricks has been ruled out after not practicing all week.

Alexander Mattison is also out and Minnesota could be in trouble at tight end, with Kyle Rudolph doubtful and Irv Smith Jr questionable.

#MINvsTB injury report

OUT: Eric Kendricks and Alexander Mattison

DOUBTFUL: Kyle Rudolph

QUESTIONABLE: Irv Smith Jr. pic.twitter.com/oxtu3lTe3v

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 11, 2020

Eric’s calf injury first became a problem right before last week’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He “tweaked” it in warmups, apparently shocking everyone inside the building, just as much as those of us on the outside.

Kendricks is a huge part of the Vikings defense, both in the run and pass. This could have even greater implications vs a guy like Tom Brady, who loves to throw over the middle of the field to his bestie, Rob Gronkowski.

That’s before we get started on Ronald Jones, who Bruce Arians wants the offense to run though. Jones has 820 yards on the season, easily on pace to surpass 1000 yards in 16 games, and 5 touchdowns.

Can the Minnesota Vikings defense slow Tom Brady, Gronk and Jones without Kendricks protecting the middle of the field? That could be the difference.

Other Injury report news

Kyle Rudolph’s iron-man streak is in danger of ending, right after his near-100 consecutive games played was made such a big deal of last weekend. Supposedly, that streak is playing into his status for Sunday. It appears as though he’d already be unavailable this weekend if that wasn’t ongoing.

With Rudolph ailing, Irv Smith Jr’s status becomes even more important. The Vikings have a lot of weapons on offense but taking away a tight end threat would hurt. Here is Mike Zimmer’s full press conference, which took place immediately after the injury report was released.

LIVE: Head Coach Mike Zimmer provides final updates before Sunday's game against Tampa Bay https://t.co/MO8Sky5jZY

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 11, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Now that it is mid-August, one of the most exciting times of the year is here: Fantasy Football Draft SZN. One of the common dilemmas we as Minnesota fantasy football owners have, is finding the right value for selecting players from the hometown Minnesota Vikings. So, I’m here to help. If you snag your favorite hometown boys in these spots, you’re setting your roster up for success!

Dalvin Cook – Mid-First Round

There is no question that Dalvin Cook is one of the best running backs in the league. Last year, he had a career season with over 1,600 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns. When healthy, he has the capability of being one of the top fantasy running backs in the NFL. The key phrase though is “when healthy.”

Cook’s first three seasons have been plagued with injuries, missing 19 total games across those three seasons. To Cook’s credit though, last year was his healthiest season. He only missed two games due to a shoulder injury. The timing was brutal for his fantasy owners. He missed weeks 16 and 17, leaving a bad taste for many.

There were also concerns this summer that Dalvin Cook would hold out, due to his current contract situation. But, it doesn’t look like that will be a problem so we won’t discuss it.

Dalvin Cook said he will “for sure be out there” when they put on pads

— Matthew Coller (@MatthewColler) August 14, 2020

Alexander Mattison, in his second year, could take one or two more touches per game from Cook in 2020, but it shouldn’t affect his fantasy value overall. I have Cook as my 5th running back off the board for 2020.

Adam Thielen – Early Third Round

The depth at the wide receiver position this year is extremely strong. There is a significant drop-off in running back talent between rounds 3 and 4, which will result in wide receivers flying off the board at that time.

Going into last season, Thielen was known as one of the most durable receivers in the league. Then, he injured his hamstring and only played in 10 games. Even when he did grace the field, he wasn’t himself as far as fantasy value is concerned.

Thielen only had 41.3 yards per game with 6 total touchdowns total. That includes the Week 16 game versus Green Bay where Thielen played 50 snaps and did not catch a single pass. He only had 2 games of at least 75 receiving yards.

With Stefon Diggs now in Buffalo after being traded, someone will have to take on those 94 targets. We all know Thielen’s potential is off the charts and, if healthy, his production will be there too.

In 2018, the combination of Thielen and Kirk Cousins was one of the best in the league. From weeks 1-9, Thielen ranked as the top wide receiver in all of fantasy football. Pro Football Focus even labeled Thielen as a dark-horse to finish as the #1 receiver in fantasy for 2020.

Thielen is a surefire bet to beat his ADP by a landslide. With regression from the defense, a weak supporting cast, favorable strength of schedule and Cousins peppering him with valuable targets, Thielen is a legitimate dark horse candidate to finish as the No. 1 wide receiver overall. 

via PFF

According to Fantasy Football Calculator, Thielen’s ADP is sitting around the early third-round in most draft formats. With Thielen’s upside, this is a great value selection.

Alexander Mattison – 8th & 9th Round Turn

Those who drafted Alexander Mattison last year were met with disappointment. As a rookie, the strategy was the same across the fantasy industry, when drafting Mattison. He was a rookie handcuff to Dalvin Cook, with high potential.

Cook did get hurt but it wasn’t until the end of the year. Unfortunately, Mattison found himself injured at that same time (ankle sprain), which caused him to miss the final three regular season games, himself. Mike Boone filled in as the starter, when both Cook and Mattison were out.

During the largest chunk of the season, when both Cook and Mattison were available, Cook saw significantly more touches (as he should). In 13 games that both guys played, Mattison averaged just 8.5 touches. As a runner he was efficient, totaling 4.6 yards per carry, but that only amounted to 35.5 rushing yards per game, and one total touchdown that came in week 3.

Mattison could see one or two additional touches per game this year, pushing his total to around nine per game. Even with that small increase, 2020 Alexander Mattison is nothing more than a handcuff to Dalvin Cook owners.

Kirk Cousins – No Earlier Than Round 11

Kirk Cousins is a great quarterback. I stand by that. In terms of fantasy, he is not the greatest for two reasons: pass attempts and scrambling ability.

Last year, we saw a complete turnaround in how the offense was run. Instead of the aerial attack we saw in 2018, Kevin Stefanski and Gary Kubiak decided to put a much larger emphasis on running the ball. It was quite successful and the Vikings won 10 games + an NFC Wild Card game doing it.

But, team wins don’t matter for fantasy owners (unless you are in a really weird league that counts them — which shouldn’t exist). In 2019, Cousins threw 162 fewer passes than his first season in purple. Cousins doesn’t provide much on the ground (186 yards and two touchdowns in his first two seasons as a Viking).

However, Cousins was a more efficient passer last year. His passer rating jumped from 99.7 to 107.4 and his interception rate dipped slightly from 1.7% to a career best 1.4%. All of the numbers in this paragraph are good, let’s be real.

Cousins’ lack of passing attempts, combined with not being asked able to run, doesn’t mean he can’t be a productive fantasy quarterback. His ADP is currently all over the place, depending on format. In half-PPR he is going in the eleventh round while in full-PPR, he is a fourteenth round pick. Cousins should not be viewed as anything more than a backup fantasy quarterback, who could be good in a pinch or on a bye week.

ADP from Fantasy Football Calculator

Justin Jefferson – 12th Round

Drafting rookie wide receivers can be risky. Remember Laquon Treadwell? That was a disaster. Treadwell caught just one pass his rookie season.

Barring some sort of freak injury, Justin Jefferson should be much better than that. The 2020 first round selection was a beast at LSU hauling in 1,540 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns.

Similar to Thielen, someone will have to take on the 94 targets from 2019, being left behind by the departure of Stefon Diggs. Jefferson is extremely talented and should see plenty of snaps.

The only real concern I have with JJ is the natural growing pains of being a rookie. Jefferson was already at a slight disadvantage, after being placed on the COVID list, before being taken off on August 4th. With no preseason games this year and shortened training camps, it may take a little longer than usual for rookies, like Jefferson, to adjust to the NFL.

The rookie out of LSU should be viewed as a bench receiver, with high upside. Last year, we saw rookie receivers such as Marquise Brown and A.J. Brown shine. Meanwhile, other rookies like N’Keal Harry struggled.

Irv Smith Jr. & Kyle Rudolph – Undraftable

This is crazy, right? How can Kyle Rudolph be undraftable?

The truth is, Rudy was not very good last year, from a fantasy standpoint. He did have six touchdowns, but only 367 yards to go with them. Rudolph is getting older and the emergence of Irv Smith Jr. could mean Rudolph’s days as a solid fantasy tight end may be over. Fantasy Football Calculator doesn’t even have an ADP for him. Nobody is drafting Kyle Rudolph in their fantasy draft and neither are you!

As for Irv Smith Jr., he is in a similar fantasy situation as Rudolph. They had similar stats but Smith had four fewer touchdowns. He is talented, but there are numerous other options I would rather have on my team. I would stay away from them both but if you are going to pick between the two, Smith is the better option, with hopes he takes over the #1 TE job for good, becoming a reliable #2 or #3 target for Kirk Cousins.

There you have it, fantasy football owners who happen to also be Minnesota Vikings fans! Best of luck in your drafts. If you take this advice, thank me later for winning your league’s championship trophy! If my recommendations cost you a season, then it’s your fault for trusting some guy on the internet.

Sam Sklar | Minnesota Sports Fan

No?

Here’s what his Pro-Football-Reference Page looks like:

Oh, you were looking for stats? He doesn’t have any of those. He does have shade though. He has LOTS of shade for Kyle Rudolph and apparently thinks he is a much better football player than the current and long-standing (much richer) Vikings Tight End. This morning, Bucky found a reply from Kyle Rudolph to an Arif Hasan (The Athletic) Twitter thread, from October of 2017 (middle of Bucky Hodges’ rookie year)…. I’ll just let the tweets take it from here:

I’ve played on 4 teams lol Kyle Rudolph cant fuck wit me ight im done talkin lol??

— Temuchin Hodges (@Bucky757) August 8, 2019

You suck bruh??I aint with the sneak dissing I aint got a chance like you yet??Notre Dame suck too you know what I did on yall???im done talkin https://t.co/F3TtTdK6YW

— Temuchin Hodges (@Bucky757) August 8, 2019

@DMORGII better than Rudolph he real too??

— Temuchin Hodges (@Bucky757) August 8, 2019

@DMORGII better than Rudolph he real too??

— Temuchin Hodges (@Bucky757) August 8, 2019

Kyle Rudolph a weirdo bro??

— Temuchin Hodges (@Bucky757) August 8, 2019

If he deletes these, someone just let me know and I’ll replace them with screenshots. This guy has never put up a yard or catch in his entire career. It doesn’t even matter how good you really think Kyle Rudolph is (I’m not in his fanclub), at least he’s caught a pass in the NFL…

Bucky is either blowing off steam or trying to get attention. This isn’t the attention you want. You’re out here bashing a guy who is getting nominated for “good human” awards all over the board…. not a good look. 

It made for some morning clicks and laughs though, so I appreciate that. And if Rudolph throws some shade back…. well, we just might have ourselves a great little Twitter day.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

It’s always a sweet feeling when you get to tell someone, “I told you so”. It feels even better when that person is your boss.

Sooooo…. middle fingers up, Eric, you’re wrong. I’m right. Give me my raise.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”3.24″]

via GIPHY

[/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.24″]

Kyle Rudolph (like I predicted) is staying home. Kyle posted a heartfelt message on twitter last night, claiming Minnesota as his home. It was reported shortly after that he would be receiving a 4yr/36 million dollar extension. How that contract is spread out over the 4 years, remains to be seen. My guess is it’s loaded on the back end and on a signing bonus. One thing we do know is, Rob Brzezinski is a god damn wizard and deserves his gold jacket already. Another player lost to the killer contract of Kirk Cousins…. oh wait. 

At the end of the day, the Vikings weren’t going to get rid of Kyle and leave themselves with a rookie tight end to handle the pass catching duties at the position. No matter how much your brother/friend/mother/father/boss tells you about how the Vikings should have traded Rudolph, they’re wrong. They are entitled to their opinion, but they’re wrong. The Vikings are in the “keep a super bowl talent roster intact” business. Not the “cut him so we don’t have to pay him what he deserves” business. (cough, cough… cheeseheads). It is extremely difficult to win a Championship in any sport, so when you have a window where your team is good enough, you don’t let guys like Kyle Rudolph go. The front office obviously knows this.

What to expect from Rudy?

Don’t hold your breath on a 80 reception and 1,000 yard season. Those stats for a tight end are reserved for guys like Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz, where they are the top playmakers on their teams. The Vikings have too many skill players for the ball to get around to everyone, with the the likes of Thielen, Diggs, Cook, Smith Jr, Rudy, Mattison, and who ever wins out the battle for the 3rd and 4th spot WR slots (hint: Beebe & Taylor). What I would expect out of Kyle, would be a man on a mission who will contribute in big situations with his even bigger hands. A red zone threat who will maybe even tickle the double digit touchdown mark, a true impact player. Not to mention, a captain who leads by example.

With the contract talks done and over with, Kyle will be dialed in, allowing him to give 100% of his attention to playing the game he loves. Rudy claims to be in the prime of his career with “lots of game left”. Don’t believe him? Ask him yourself.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”3.24″]

Walking into Year 9 with something to prove.. I’ve got “Lots of game left!” There's a reason why the windshield is bigger than the rear view mirror. #BackToSkol pic.twitter.com/HVZg7PTEmV

— Kyle Rudolph (@KyleRudolph82) April 15, 2019

[/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.24″]

Clem Clemans | Minnesota Sports Fan

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]