Rudolph back on Trade Block.

[foreboding]

On 4/26/2019 at 9:17 PM, oldmanfan said:

You kidding?  Great deep threat.  He can fly.  

I know he is a great receiver, what do you know about his blocking?

[oldmanfan]

5 minutes ago, foreboding said:

I know he is a great receiver, what do you know about his blocking?

Tends to be the lead blocker.  Likes to be out front.

[dollars 2 donuts]

3 hours ago, Dablitzkrieg said:

Exactly.  A 5th would be the highest I think the value would say.  I believe that players (i.e. Shaq) would be more likely.

 

 

Nice, Blitz buddy.  A friend of mine texted me this morning before I saw this and the rumor going around was 5th...maybe not necessarily what they would take, but may be what is being offered.

Edited May 2, 2019 by dollars 2 donuts

[aristocrat]

i'd absolutely kick the tires on him. what's his name is coming off a season ending concussion and the other is a nice prospect.  The rookie is a rookie. We need a legit top target big man for allen. I'd love this trade and he's signed one year with no dead cap but we would never cut him. Sign him up for a year or two more and we're golden. 

[Sherlock Holmes]

On 4/26/2019 at 10:58 PM, Formerly Allan in MD said:

How many tight ends do you need?

A whole sleigh full led by Rudolph!!!

I was greatly saddened when we missed out on Rudolph cause I had the feeling he was gonna be a great TE. Now we can reverse the Gronk curse since he retired and now we have a chance to torment the division with Allen to Rudolph all day.

[ExWNYer]

1 hour ago, formerlyofCtown said:

Wyatt Teller and Matt Milano are limited to special teams?

 

No, of course not. Fifth rounders can be viable contributors, even starters. Kyle Williams falls into that category. But more often than not, they are looked at as special teamers with the hope that they can turn into more. Lottery tickets, if you will. My original point was that I would not go any higher than a 5th for Rudolph and would prefer a 6th or 7th. At least with him, you should get 1 or 2 years of good TE play which is more than fair for a 6th or 7th, IMO. He's the devil you know versus the one you don't in a late round draft pick.

[WideNine]

Not sure if Rudolph has lived up to his draft status.

 

When drafted thought he was more that limited flex receiving option TE and less an inline blocker. That was the case and he was even a bit slow to pickup the passing game at an NFL level.

 

Over the years I think he has become a more complete TE, but perhaps the ceiling is not where the Vikings want it to be and 7 years in they should have a good idea on that. Probably the right idea to shop him to see what they can get...he works as a role player.

 

A team like NE could pick him up on the cheap and figure out how to squeeze more production out of him I am sure with the Gronk-sized vacuum they have currently.

 

 

[dubs]

2 hours ago, Dablitzkrieg said:

Exactly.  A 5th would be the highest I think the value would say.  I believe that players (i.e. Shaq) would be more likely.

 

7th.......2021 

[PetermansRedemption]

Absolutely redundant on a team that just signed Kroft and drafted Knox. 

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

On 4/27/2019 at 3:17 AM, #34fan said:

I am in... Maybe 1 so-so TE left (Caleb Wilson)... Rudolph would be a great pickup.

 

Absolutely. 

[Chuck Wagon]

34 minutes ago, WideNine said:

Not sure if Rudolph has lived up to his draft status.

 

When drafted thought he was more that limited flex receiving option TE and less an inline blocker. That was the case and he was even a bit slow to pickup the passing game at an NFL level.

 

Over the years I think he has become a more complete TE, but perhaps the ceiling is not where the Vikings want it to be and 7 years in they should have a good idea on that. Probably the right idea to shop him to see what they can get...he works as a role player.

 

A team like NE could pick him up on the cheap and figure out how to squeeze more production out of him I am sure with the Gronk-sized vacuum they have currently.

 

 

 

 

Not convinced Gronk isn't on the Pats in Nov-Dec next year.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

Just now, Bills2ref said:

Absolutely redundant on a team that just signed Kroft and drafted Knox. 

Rudolf has done it better than either 

[WideNine]

1 hour ago, Chuck Wagon said:

 

 

Not convinced Gronk isn't on the Pats in Nov-Dec next year.

 

You could be right... I think he has reversed course on past retirement comments.

 

We will see.

 

 

 

 

[JustWinPlease]

1 hour ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

Rudolf has done it better than either 

I'd so much rather have Kyle Rudolph than Tyler Kroft.

Rudolph, Kroft, Knox would be an ideal trio.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

On 4/26/2019 at 7:39 PM, MAJBobby said:

So who would be open to giving a 5th for Rudolph?  With the Irv Smith pick NFL Network speaking he is back on the block. 

 

Why on earth would Minn trade Rudolph for a 5th?

 

Vikings GM Spielman had this to say:

“You guys are really great at stirring a lot of stuff up out there,” Spielman said this week during a SiriusXM interview. “You make my press conferences interesting.”

The Vikings general manager was asked how Rudolph and Smith Jr. can complement each other on the field.

“Thank you, yeah, they’re two different types of players,” Spielman told SiriusXM radio. “With [Gary] Kubiak and [Kevin] Stefanski’s offense, one thing we felt is we didn’t have a player like an Irv Smith Jr. — a lot smaller from the standard that Kyle is. Kyle is an on-the-line Y [tight end]. Irv, you see him play H-back, you see him play fullback, you see him split out in the slot. And how can you create mismatches with defenses now?

 

He has a big contract, but he has openly said he is open to restructuring if it will keep his family in Minn.

 

Zimmer is going into, what, his 6th year as HC? and has had intermittent success, but the fans want to see him close the deal, not take a step back as last year.

Spielman is going into his 8th year as titular GM, and just bet the rent on Cousins as a QB.  Expect him to try to weight the deck for Cousins increased success.

They both have to be feeling some pressure to win or GTFO.

 

Reading those tea leaves, what would a 5th for their star TE give them that would help them either 1) win now or 2) make the Cousins signing look good (or both)?

 

On 4/26/2019 at 8:29 PM, ExWNYer said:

Yeah, that's right. I said I wouldn't go higher than a 5th. 5th or 6th is it. Prefer a 6th. He's basically a 1 year rental who will be 30, so even a day 3 pick doesn't thrill me.

 

The question isn't whether it would thrill you, the question is whether a next year's 5th or 6th would do more to help the Vikes than Rudolph's body on the field for Cousins to aim at.  Yes, they're in cap hell, but he has said he would restructure.

[DrinkinBuddy]

41 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Why on earth would Minn trade Rudolph for a 5th?

 

Vikings GM Spielman had this to say:

“You guys are really great at stirring a lot of stuff up out there,” Spielman said this week during a SiriusXM interview. “You make my press conferences interesting.”

The Vikings general manager was asked how Rudolph and Smith Jr. can complement each other on the field.

“Thank you, yeah, they’re two different types of players,” Spielman told SiriusXM radio. “With [Gary] Kubiak and [Kevin] Stefanski’s offense, one thing we felt is we didn’t have a player like an Irv Smith Jr. — a lot smaller from the standard that Kyle is. Kyle is an on-the-line Y [tight end]. Irv, you see him play H-back, you see him play fullback, you see him split out in the slot. And how can you create mismatches with defenses now?

 

He has a big contract, but he has openly said he is open to restructuring if it will keep his family in Minn.

 

Zimmer is going into, what, his 6th year as HC? and has had intermittent success, but the fans want to see him close the deal, not take a step back as last year.

Spielman is going into his 8th year as titular GM, and just bet the rent on Cousins as a QB.  Expect him to try to weight the deck for Cousins increased success.

They both have to be feeling some pressure to win or GTFO.

 

Reading those tea leaves, what would a 5th for their star TE give them that would help them either 1) win now or 2) make the Cousins signing look good (or both)?

 

I think this is bang on. If Minnesota can get a 3rd or better maybe they consider moving him. Not for a 5th. So what team is going to give a 3rd for a 30 year-old TE in the final year of his contract? The Pats would appear to be a desperate as any team for TE help but they don't like parting with their picks.

 

Having 2 TEs with different skill sets is a good problem to have for Minny. The tight end position has one of largest learning curves. Expecting Irv to be ready to be starter out of the gates isn't realistic.

 

This is sort of like the Shady trade rumours. No one's giving up a premium pick for a 30 year old RB making 9 mil. So the Bills are just better off keeping him.

 

I think Rudolph stays put and probably re-works his deal.

[Buffalophil1948]

On 4/26/2019 at 5:51 PM, Nanker said:

How much is a red nosed reindeer really worth in today’s NFL. anyway?

 

He could have been handy in the snow game against the colts

[dollars 2 donuts]

48 minutes ago, DrinkinBuddy said:

 

I think this is bang on. If Minnesota can get a 3rd or better maybe they consider moving him. Not for a 5th. So what team is going to give a 3rd for a 30 year-old TE in the final year of his contract? The Pats would appear to be a desperate as any team for TE help but they don't like parting with their picks.

 

Having 2 TEs with different skill sets is a good problem to have for Minny. The tight end position has one of largest learning curves. Expecting Irv to be ready to be starter out of the gates isn't realistic.

 

This is sort of like the Shady trade rumours. No one's giving up a premium pick for a 30 year old RB making 9 mil. So the Bills are just better off keeping him.

 

I think Rudolph stays put and probably re-works his deal.

 

 

Annoyingly correct, DB.

 

dang, I wanted this guy.

[ganesh]

6 hours ago, dollars 2 donuts said:

 

 

Annoyingly correct, DB.

 

dang, I wanted this guy.

I think the Bills have to put Knox in and give him the opportunity to play.  He can be a difference maker at that position.  He will be Josh Allen's best buddy!

[Hapless Bills Fan]

On 4/26/2019 at 8:52 PM, Utah John said:

Low draft picks who make the team are cheap labor.  Trading a low pick for an established player costs a lot.  Better to take a shot on a draft pick than trade that pick for an older guy who would want a big contract. 

 

This is satire, right?

[Freddie's Dead]

Can't believe Santa wants to trade Rudolph, but I'll be happy to give my 2020 and 2021 first-round reindeer draft picks.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

8 hours ago, DrinkinBuddy said:

 

I think this is bang on. If Minnesota can get a 3rd or better maybe they consider moving him. Not for a 5th. So what team is going to give a 3rd for a 30 year-old TE in the final year of his contract? The Pats would appear to be a desperate as any team for TE help but they don't like parting with their picks.

 

Having 2 TEs with different skill sets is a good problem to have for Minny. The tight end position has one of largest learning curves. Expecting Irv to be ready to be starter out of the gates isn't realistic.

 

This is sort of like the Shady trade rumours. No one's giving up a premium pick for a 30 year old RB making 9 mil. So the Bills are just better off keeping him.

 

I think Rudolph stays put and probably re-works his deal.

 

Thanks for the kind word.

 

Minn. might consider a 3rd if they're really up against the cap and Rudolph can't or won't help them out enough.   Maybe.

What I think would be the difference for Spielman and Zimmer, is a player they feel would help them win this year.  Let's say we decided we could live without Shaq Lawson and the Vikings decide a DE with his skills is just what they need to improve their run D and take them back to #2 run D in 2017 from the #15 run D in 2018 (I don't know that he would.  This is hypothetical).   Sure, they'd take a cheap 1 year rental on a player that might help them win now, and roll the dice that their other TE and and their new shiny draft pick will fill the gap on O. 

 

That kind of thing.  But it would have to be a player on a cheap contract (or it doesn't help their cap) and at a position that (in their viewpoint) projects to help them this season.

 

A WC loss every other year then a conf. loss followed by 8-7 isn't quite what they'd like to see after backing up the Brinks truck for Cousins.  But it's not in their interest to hamper their QB in any way, unless it helps the team more than it hinders the offense.

[Bray Wyatt]

10 hours ago, Freddie's Dead said:

Can't believe Santa wants to trade Rudolph, but I'll be happy to give my 2020 and 2021 first-round reindeer draft picks.

 

Rudolph is living off his reputation from that one big Christmas eve. What has he done since? He is a role player at best, time to find a reindeer who can perform every Christmas eve

[Matt_In_NH]

Probably a nice fit for NE.  THey only have 14 picks to trade though so maybe it wont work out.

[YoloinOhio]

3 hours ago, mattynh said:

Probably a nice fit for NE.  THey only have 14 picks to trade though so maybe it wont work out.

I’ve been expecting this trade for weeks now. Not sure what the holdup is. Cap space? 

[YoloinOhio]

 

[hondo in seattle]

Any interest?

 

"Rudolph is a potential trade candidate out of Minnesota after extension talks between him and the Vikings broke down on Friday morning, sources told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. There is interest in Rudolph's services around the league..."

 

"Rudolph, soon to be 30 years old, hasn't missed a game since midway through the 2014 season and hasn't seen his production dip too much in recent years. The tight end reeled in 64 catches for 634 yards and four scores in 2018, and Rudolph made a Pro Bowl appearance in 2017."

 

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001030498/article/vikings-could-trade-kyle-rudolph-after-talks-break-off

Edited May 10, 2019 by hondo in seattle

[DJB]

Ive heard of him. Bring him in!!!

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Patriots will get him for a 7th.

[Canadian Bills Fan]

I'd even do it for a 4th

[aristocrat]

it just seems like the pats will get him

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

5 minutes ago, TheTruthHurts said:

Patriots will get him for a 7th.

 

Conditional 8th they later turn into a 3rd round comp pick, from what I gather here... 

Edited May 10, 2019 by Over 29 years of fanhood

[YoloinOhio]

1 minute ago, aristocrat said:

it just seems like the pats will get him

I feel like it should have happened already though. I think money is the holdup on them getting it done. They certainly have the need and the draft picks to burn. 

[aristocrat]

2 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

I feel like it should have happened already though. I think money is the holdup on them getting it done. They certainly have the need and the draft picks to burn. 

 

well if minny was really trying to sign him that would be a holdup.  If he wanted to parlay a big year into a new contract from someone he would want to go to new england. But im sure he wants a new deal now

 

[The Senator]

19 minutes ago, aristocrat said:

it just seems like the pats will get him

 

That would make Ben Watson’s return a very short one, yes?

.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

...do we even know yet what the hell we have in our own damn barn before the "grass MUST be greener elsewhere" crap?.......no way in hell we could have landed some talent in the draft or FA, right?....Meatball and Milano acknowledge that "5th round (or later) picks will probably suck"....SMH.....

[Doc Brown]

4 hours ago, aristocrat said:

it just seems like the pats will get him

If Rudolph was a free agent.  Yes, but in a trade it's the team that offers the best compensation.

[DC Tom]

I'd offer Comet and Cupid.  But nothing more.

[billsfan89]

The Bills did just give Kroft a significant contract and they just drafted Knox. But behind those two you have Sweeney a 7th rounder more or less destined for the PS unless he has a great camp, Jake Fisher a blocking tight end at best, and Croom a player who didn't make too much of an impact last season. I think Kroft and Knox are locks to make the roster and the team typically has 3 TE's on the roster. So that leaves one roster spot open between Fisher, Croom, and Sweeney. I don't think either one of those 3 are that good so I wouldn't mind brining in Rudolph to start in front of Kroft who can be deployed in 2 TE sets and out of the slot via short and medium yardage situations while having Knox be the third stringer. 

 

But I wouldn't trade anything more than a 5th for Rudolph. Kyle is a nice Tight end probably top 10 in the league. And I am not too sold on Kroft and Knox seems like he needs a year to polish his game. So overall I am willing to upgrade the TE position but not at too heavy a cost. Considering this front office appears to know what they are doing when it comes to the draft I am more reluctant to trade picks even mid to late rounders for vets. 

 

But even if Rudolph gives you two years of top 10 TE production for a 5th round pick that's a good deal and one that allows Knox to progress naturally to take over the position. 

[H2o]

I would hate the Pats just a bit more if they do this. I don't see us making a move for Rudolph though.