Rudolph Can Still Be TE1
Dustin Baker
|
Rudolph Can Still Be TE1
The Minnesota Vikings flattened a few demons on Monday night. In a 19-13 win over the Chicago Bears, Minnesota won its first Monday night game in three years. That was also the final time the Vikings won a game at Soldier Field. Two out of three facets of the game – offense and defense – guided the team to victory while the coaching staff was left to ponder the conundrum known as special teams.
The coach of that unit, Marwan Maalouf, was berated Mike Zimmer after a series of follies: A punt was not downed inside the one-yardline by Dan Chisena, Chicago’s kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson returned a kick for a touchdown, an extra point was missed, and there were other maladies.
On top of special team miscues, the Vikings turned the ball over twice. Thankfully for Minnesota’s sake, so did the Bears. Because the turnover differential was even, the Vikings were able to escape Chicago with a long-overdue win at the Bears house.
Notably, Minnesota was without the services of Irv Smith Jr. The 22-year-old tight end has emerged over the last handful of games as a stealthy weapon within the Vikings offense. Before his groin injury, Smith Jr. caught two touchdown passes from Kirk Cousins in Minnesota’s thumping of the Detroit Lions during Week 9.
He hoped to capitalize on the momentum versus Chicago, but injury disallowed it. At the time of this article’s publication, it is unclear if he will play versus the Dallas Cowboys this weekend.
Should the Vikings again be without Smith Jr.’s services, it is a setback but not a death sentence. Incumbent TE1 Kyle Rudolph is more than capable of acting as the team’s supreme tight end.
Earns a TE1 Salary
Foremost, Rudolph is compensated as a tight end that should be targeted more than most. He is the longest-tenured Vikings player on the 2020 roster, assuming this title after Everson Griffen left for Dallas (and then Detroit). Per yearly contractual average, Rudolph is the NFL’s fifth-highest paid tight end. Only George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Hunter Henry, and Austin Hooper earn more money annually [on average] than the 31-year-old Rudolph.
Before Rudolph played a larger role in the victory over Chicago, he was a footnote in the Vikings 2020 offense. Cousins had targeted Rudolph just 19 times – in 8 games – prior to Week 10. For perspective, the aforementioned Kelce was targeted in the Kansas Chiefs offense 80 times in the same timeframe.
If Smith Jr. is to miss more time with the groin ailment, Rudolph will be there to be a sponge for targets. The Vikings pay him a lot of money to do so.
He’s Been “The Guy” Before
Keep in mind – this will not be something new for the 10-year veteran. He’s one of the NFL’s most clutch pass-catchers and has built a reputation on hauling crucial catches late in games, often for touchdowns. Sean Payton will tell you all about it.
The Vikings employed Sam Bradford at the quarterback position four years ago. It was a short-lived ordeal due to Bradford’s failing knee joints, but the former Viking adored Rudolph. During Bradford’s first season in Minnesota, 2016, he targeted Rudolph an unthinkable 132 times.
This led all NFL tight ends in 2016, was the 15th-most in business for all pass-catchers, and even topped Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs in targets. Yes, Thielen and Diggs existed on that team, too, while Bradford continued to get the football to Rudolph.
Being a frequent target of the passing game is in Rudolph’s DNA. Current signal-caller Kirk Cousins certainly won’t dial Rudolph’s number that much, but if he did, Rudolph has done this before – to the tune of eight times per game. He’ll be ready if Smith Jr.’s absence morphs into an extended one.
Irv Smith Jr. is a Humongous Perk
General manager Rick Spielman spent a relatively high draft pick on Smith Jr. from the University of Alabama. Eventually – maybe even next year – Smith Jr. will be the bonafide TE1. There is a universe that suggests 2020 is Rudolph’s swan song with the Vikings, as depressing as that might be.
The 2019 and 2020 seasons can be considered gravy-laden regarding the employment of two skillful tight ends. The Vikings do not normally utilize two of them – that’s a Patriots thing. Any time that Smith Jr. gets in on the fun is icing. His long-term projection is to take over for Kyle Rudolph, and glimpses of that are now visible.
A coherent argument might suggest that Minnesota does not need both of them. But for now, they will take advantage of it. Anything advantageous that Smith Jr. adds to the Vikings offense in 2020 is a perk. Rudolph carries the fat wallet and soon Smith Jr. will, too.
In 2020, it’s the-more-the-merrier at the tight end position.