The NY Giants need more from Kyle Rudolph, especially this week against the New Orleans Saints, when the offense must replace Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton’s production
The NY Giants need far more production from their tight end position.
Right now, it all starts and ends with Evan Engram and Kyle Rudolph.
Rudolph has only seen seven targets for four catches and 33 yards in two games. It’s not nearly good enough for any starting tight end, let alone a two-time Pro Bowler at the position.
Rudolph is still working his way back from offseason surgery. He barely practiced much at all through the spring and into training camp. He also was expected to be the #2 tight end behind Evan Engram, not taking the lion’s shares of the reps instead. It’s understandable why he’s had a slow start. He had to learn a new offense on a new team for the time ever in the NFL while working through rehab and recovering from surgery while trying to develop chemistry with Daniel Jones without actually taking any reps.
Rudolph has so far played 63% of the team’s snaps on offense. The Giants could really use some of that dependency and security that Rudolph has made a career out of. He had a beautiful chip block on Chase Young last week, so hopefully, he will continue to provide help in the blocking department.
Look for Kyle Rudolph to have a bigger game for the NY Giants in Week 4 vs New Orleans
The NY Giants could use him big time in the middle of the field and up the seams to bust New Orleans’ Cover-2 heavy scheme.
With Sterling Shepard & Darius Slayton out with injuries, expect more snaps, targets, and receptions for Rudolph. Evan Engram is trending downwards after a brutal first game last week.
If Rudolph finds some openings, he could have a big day in the Metrodome.