Fantasy Football: One Potential Cut Candidate for Every NFC Team

Minnesota Vikings - Kyle Rudolph

Cap Savings: $7.625 million

Kyle Rudolph is two seasons removed from an 840-yard, 7-touchdown year for the Minnesota Vikings with Sam Bradford at quarterback. His yardage fell in 2017, but he still had an eye for the end zone, scoring eight times. In 2018, he caught a career-high 78% of his targets, but he managed just 634 yards on his 64 receptions, scoring a mere four touchdowns.

Rudolph was held below 50 yards in 12 games, and he had only one game with more than 100 yards. That 100-yard effort came in Week 16 in a game in which he caught two of his touchdowns (one on a miraculous Hail Mary at the end of the first half against the Detroit Lions). In terms of his per-play efficiency, out of the 11 tight ends with at least 75 targets, Rudolph ranked seventh in terms of Target NEP per target.

Rudolph wasn't bad, but given that there's no punishment for cutting him, the Vikes could look to move on.

Minnesota has been looking to add a playmaker at tight end, reportedly discussing acquiring Tyler Higbee before the trade deadline. They do have Tyler Conklin already on the roster after drafting him in the fifth round last year. He has something of a pedigree as a pass catcher, with two 500-yard campaigns in college. He saw only seven targets as a rookie, but if he can demonstrate progress under the Vikings' new offensive coordinator, Conklin could make it easier for the team to move on from Rudolph, especially with Rudolph's guaranteed money already out of the way.