I’m not a big Kyle Rudolph fan. He’s a solid enough player (particularly around the goal line) but I just don’t think he’s going to get enough opportunities.

The Vikings have another tight end, Irv Smith, who’s also essentially a full-time player, and he’s ready to do more in his second year. Last year, Smith caught only 3 fewer passes than Rudolph.

And with the offense they run, I think they’ll be emphasizing the run. Minnesota was a bottom-10 passing team last year, with Rudolph catching only 39 passes.

They are switching offensive coordinators, of course. Kevin Stefanski is gone to Cleveland, and Gary Kubiak is taking over. But Kubiak was working closely with Stefanski last year, so I don’t think they’re making any meaningful changes.

Kubiak has been around for years with various teams, and he doesn’t have a strong track record with tight ends. In the last 10 years, only one Kubiak tight end has finished a season with top-13 PPR numbers.

KUBIAK'S TIGHT ENDS (2010-19)
YearPlayerRecYdsAvgTDPPRRk
2012Owen Daniels, Hou.6271611.66169.69
2019Kyle Rudolph, Min.393679.46113.714
2013Garrett Graham, Hou.4954511.15133.515
2011Owen Daniels, Hou.5467712.53139.716
2014Owen Daniels, Balt.4852711.04124.718
2015Owen Daniels, Den.4651711.23115.721
2010Joel Dreessen, Hou.3651814.44111.822
2011Joel Dreessen, Hou.2835312.6699.324
2010Owen Daniels, Hou.3847112.4297.126
2012James Casey, Hou.343309.7385.632
2019Irv Smith, Min.363118.6279.133
2012Garrett Graham, Hou.282639.4372.336
2013Owen Daniels, Hou.2425210.5367.242
2016Virgil Green, Den.2223710.8151.742
2011James Casey, Hou.1826014.4151.143
2013Ryan Griffin, Hou.1924412.8149.448
2015Virgil Green, Den.1217314.4135.356
2014Dennis Pitta, Balt.161257.8028.557
2014Crockett Gillmore, Balt.1012112.1128.158
2010James Casey, Hou.89812.3017.865
2016Jeff Heuerman, Den.914115.7023.167
2019Tyler Conklin, Min.8587.3013.886

—Ian Allan