Tight End #2: Kyle Rudolph
Rudolph is the Giants’ splashy signing at tight end from this offseason.
Rudolph is coming over from the Vikings where he’s spent his entire career in Minnesota. The seasoned vet is coming over to the Northeast where he will look to refind his 2016-2018 form.
Rudolph is coming back from offseason foot surgery. He hasn’t participated during any portion of the offseason workouts, OTA’s, and Mandatory Minicamp. The Giants made it clear they would take Rudolph’s return to any football field very slowly and cautiously. The surgery itself was not expected to occur, only until Rudolph’s physical showed enough concern for Ronnie Barnes’ and the Giants’ medical staff to get his foot operated on.
Rudolph had been quietly phased out of the Vikings’ offense the past two years. The Vikings became a dominant run-heavy team and Rudolph was relegated primarily to being the 3rd tackle on the offensive line, run blocking as the team saw fit. After Kevin Stefanksi’s departure heading into 2020, it only got worse for Rudolph’s role and importance in the Minny offense.
Rudolph should come back healthy for training camp. With that, he’ll likely be the second tight end to come in after Engram. It’s been a long, long time since Rudolph wasn’t the unquestioned leader and best player in any tight-end room he played in.
He is now coming to New York as a newcomer who will compete with Kaden Smith for snaps behind Engram. Expect Rudolph to be used heavily in the red zone, especially when his 6’6′ frame is near the end zone to catch touchdowns from Daniel Jones. It’s a big season for Rudolph as he looks to bounce back from two disappointing seasons. Watch for a rebound in New York as Kyle Rudolph rediscovers his old ways as a steady, reliable, and productive tight end.