11. Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings
2019 was another solid and steady season for the veteran tight end. After the Minnesota Vikings selected the promising Irv Smith Jr. in the 2019 NFL Draft, many thought that Rudolph would be on the outside looking in when the season began. But offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski had a different idea, an offense built around both TEs and the implementation of 12 personnel.
Rather than being iced out, Rudolph was a big component of the Vikings passing game. He saw 55 targets last season, which was his lowest number since 2015, but he turned those into 45 receptions and seven touchdowns. Perhaps most notably was this number: 136.7. That was Kirk Cousins’ passer rating when targeting Rudolph, and that was the highest targeted passer rating of Rudolph’s entire career.
He also turned in two very memorable plays last season, first of which was this catch for a touchdown in the back of the end zone:
Kyle Rudolph – what a snag! pic.twitter.com/ig3r2KZn73
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) December 3, 2019
Then of course was this game-winner against the New Orleans Saints, when he beats a cornerback on a fade route for the walk-off TD:
YOU LIKE THAT ⁉️
Kirk Cousins and Kyle Rudolph with the walk-off win in OT! (via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/JHTwR7BER2
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 5, 2020
(Yes, there was a bit of contact here…)
Blocking has never been a strong suit of Rudolph’s, but he was serviceable in that area for another season. Over 77 pass blocking reps last year he allowed one sack and four quarterback pressures.