Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr. are better together

The Minnesota Vikings drafted Irv Smith Jr. in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but his arrival should not mean Kyle Rudolph’s departure.

The Minnesota Vikings are one of the most loaded rosters in the NFL on paper from top to bottom, and they used the 2019 NFL Draft to get stronger yet at the tight end position when they selected Irv Smith Jr.

The Vikings already had one of the NFL’s best tight ends in former first-round pick Kyle Rudolph, but entering a contract year, Rudolph’s future with the team has been in doubt. It remains in doubt as his cap figure for the 2019 season includes all non-guaranteed money, which means the Vikings could get some much needed cap relief at any point by trading or releasing their star tight end.

But if they part ways with Rudolph, they will be taking away what could wind up being their best possible personnel grouping for the 2019 season.

Although the Vikings have an elite duo of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs at the wide receiver position, they do not have a third receiver who has proven himself to be a dynamic enough weapon that they have to find ways to get him on the field.

Rudolph has been a fantastic third weapon in the passing game behind Diggs and Thielen, but the Vikings’ passing attack is enhanced greatly by the presence of their second-rounder Smith.

When the Vikings go to ’12’ personnel (one running back, two receivers, two tight ends) with Dalvin Cook behind Kirk Cousins, Diggs and Thielen on the outside, and both Rudolph and Smith at the tight end position, they are going to be very difficult to defend.

Why?

It’s hard to decide for a defense what you’re going to commit to.

With Smith coming from Alabama where his blocking was an obvious requirement as the Crimson Tide love to run the football, the Vikings now have two very solid blocking tight ends and will be able to be very effective in the outside zone running game, which obviously is going to be a key part of their offense with the arrival of Gary Kubiak.

Kubiak is not calling the plays offensively, but he’s going to be the architect. Kevin Stefanski will make the calls and Kubiak will obviously have involvement in the game planning.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Vikings wear teams out with this personnel grouping but obviously it won’t happen if the team is forced to move on from Rudolph for financial purposes.

That could happen down the road, but with two years left on Cousins’ contract, the Vikings have to make sure they give him the best possible team they can to surround him and compete for a championship in this window.

I don’t think Irv Smith was drafted to replace Rudolph right now if the Vikings can help it. I think he was drafted to join Rudolph and force defenses to their heels early. Smith is a fantastic receiver and is very good after the catch, but imagine he’s the fourth or even fifth option on a passing play.

If the Vikings’ protection can hold up and if that outside zone running game can really set the tone — and with both Rudolph and Smith blocking on the outside, it will — this Minnesota offense could be one of the most improved units in the NFL in 2019.