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Fantasy Football Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickup: TE Kyle Rudolph

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By @bradberreman24

Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings, Fantasy Football Waiver Wire

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Rudolph was popular breakout candidate in fantasy football circles before the season, with Norv Turner taking over as offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings and his excellent history with tight ends. Rudolph had seven receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown through the first two games of the season, then followed that up with three catches for 27 yards in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints before being sidelined by a groin injury.

Rudolph wound up undergoing sports hernia surgery, with a 6-8 week recovery timetable, and he has been making progress toward returning in Week 11 against the Chicago Bears. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer suggested he’s taking a “wait and see” approach to Rudolph’s availability for Sunday’s game, but he practiced on Monday as the team returned from a bye week and looks on track to play against the Bears as long as he avoids any setbacks.

The Vikings have two games against the Bears left on their schedule, Week 17 as well as this coming Sunday, which is good news for Rudolph. Chicago entered Week 10 allowing the most fantasy points to tight ends (12.5 per game; ESPN scoring), and they allowed two touchdowns to the position during Sunday night’s blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers. So Rudolph is immediately in line for a solid game in his return to action this week, even with the possibility he is put on a snap count.

Between the two games against Chicago, three of Minnesota’s other four opponents came into Week 10 around the middle of the pack against tight ends (Week 12-Green Bay Packers, Week 13-Carolina Panthers, Week 15-Detroit Lions). But none of those three defenses have completely locked down tight ends, and the Vikings’ Week 14 opponent, the New York Jets, entered Week 10′s action allowing the second-most fantasy points to tight ends (11.7 per game) and the most touchdowns to the position (11).

In terms of being able to add Rudolph and start him immediately in Week 11, his progress through the practice week needs to be monitored closely. Any talk about his potential role should also be noted, but Rudolph’s red zone proficiency (13 touchdowns in his last 27 games) still makes him worth starting if he doesn’t play a full compliment of snaps. Even if there is lingering doubt about Rudolph’s status for Sunday, and he winds up being risky to rely on, he is shaping up to be a difference maker down the stretch in fantasy leagues.

Rudolph is available in 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues right now, but I think that will change dramatically between now and the end of the week. Owners that are struggling to find a suitable tight end need to consider devoting a fair amount of their remaining waiver wire budget to Rudolph, since he stands out as one of the best available options at the position.

Those that have a solid tight end right now could also consider making a significant investment in Rudolph, if only to keep him off someone else’s roster. Adding Rudolph could expand the trade possibilities for some owners, but that would have to happen quickly with the deadline coming as soon the end of this week in some leagues.

Brad Berreman is a Columnist at Rant Sports.com. Connect with him on Twitter or connect on Google +.

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