Fantasy Football 2017: So you want to wait on tight ends?

1. Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings

Fantasy Football Calculator ADP: 10.01

Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph reiterated his belief last season that he was the best tight in the NFL. Although I disagreed with him (and still do), he is a couple steps closer after his career-year last season. Rudolph set career highs in targets (132), receptions (83) and receiving yards (840). His seven touchdown receptions were the second-most of his career and tied for third-most among all tight ends last season. When the dust finally settled, Rudolph finished as the second-best PPR tight end. Going into 2017, I see Rudolph having similar success to what he had in 2016.

In Weeks 1-8, Rudolph was having a pretty good season but it was nothing spectacular. Over those first seven games he ranked as fantasy football’s No. 9 PPR tight end. The Vikings offensive coordinator over those first eight weeks, Norv Turner, unexpectedly resigned from his position. The Vikings then promoted their tight ends coach, Pat Shurmur, to offensive coordinator and that’s when Rudolph really took off.

Next: 15 Greatest fantasy football team names for 2017

Between Weeks 9-17, Rudolph was the third-best PPR tight end in fantasy and averaged over 14 points per game. With the Vikings returning Shurmur as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2017 and check-down machine Sam Bradford remaining the Vikings starting quarterback, Rudolph could lead all tight ends in targets for the second-straight season. Rudolph currently has a 10th-round ADP and is the ninth tight end off the board. To me, that is mind-boggling and a little disrespectful but I’ll take him there every draft this season if he’s still available.