Kyle Rudolph Scouting Report

Pros

• Good height and frame with room to max out
• Has exceptional hands and catches ball away from body
• Very athletic, has good speed and quickness
• Not afraid to go over the middle and take a hit. Hangs onto the ball despite hits
• Tremendous Red-Zone threat. Has excellent leaping ability to go up and grab high passes
• Can get separation from linebackers right off the bat
• Does a great job finding soft spots in zone and getting open

Cons

• Had season-ending knee surgery in 2010
• Tall, skinny frame; would like to see him add more muscle, especially to lower body
• Not the sharpest route runner
• Raw as a blocker. Has the ability, but wasn't used all that much as a blocker in college, and technique is way off

Overall

After having his 2010 season cut short due to a knee injury, Rudolph now appears healthy, and ready to be back on the gridiron. Rudolph is the latest in the new breed of tight ends with excellent size, but also exceptional athletic ability and look more like receivers than your typical tight end. Rudolph is an excellent receiver with great hands who catches everything thrown his way, he has good speed and plays with a great burst. He has shown the willingness and ability to be good as a run blocker, but as of now he cannot be relied upon, as he was pretty much used strictly as a receiver in college, much of the time out of the slot. We would also love to see him hit the weight room and get stronger in his lower body to anchor in better against the run. Regardless, Rudolph will step in right away, and make an Aaron Hernandez type impact as a rookie, but with some development he can become a complete tight end, and potentially one of the elite ones in the league.

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