Minnesota Vikings: 3 Players who could be traded in 2019
3. Kyle Rudolph
Tight end Kyle Rudolph is in his ninth season in the NFL and with Minnesota after being selected by the Vikings out of Notre Dame with the 43rd overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.
In his ninth season, the 29-year old tight end who is set to turn 30 years old in November, Rudolph has gotten off to somewhat of a slow start to the 2019 campaign which could in return make him a piece that Minnesota looks to move prior to the deadline.
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Through seven weeks of action heading into the Week 8 matchup against the Washington Redskins on Thursday Night Football, Rudolph has tallied a total of 14 catches on the year and has hauled in just 130 yards and one touchdown on the season.
In a Week 7 victory over NFC North opponent the Detroit Lions, however, Rudolph has picked up some steam and perhaps the Vikings are trying to showcase some of his talents to seek an eventual trade for the Pro Bowl tight end.
In the game against Detroit, Rudolph finished with a season-high five catches and 58 yards on six targets, grabbing his first touchdown reception of the year in the contest.
Prior to the season, Rudolph and the Vikings worked on restructuring his deal to keep him in Minnesota following the organization drafting Irv Smith Jr. in the 2019 Draft. Rudolph has four years left on his current contract, averaging around $9 million a year through the 2024 season.
If Smith Jr. is able to gain some ground and continues to improve and expand his role within the Vikings offense prior to the deadline, Rudolph could very well see himself on a new team for the first time in his career around the trade deadline this month.