Draft Rewind 2011 – Kyle Rudolph – Minnesota Vikings

What Ourlads NFL Scouting Services said about KYLE RUDOLPH: Notre Dame, 6061 258 4.77 . Junior entry. Started 18 games in career. Injured his right hamstring in preseason camp and played at about 75% through 6 games. In the sixth game against Pittsburgh, he tore the hamstring off the bone then underwent surgery. In the second game of the year, Rudolph went 95 yards for a touchdown against Michigan. The huge red zone target lined up in the slot at “x” (split end) as well as tight end. A natural hand catcher who will reach and extend for the ball. Used on fade patterns in the end zone as a mismatch on smaller corners. As a high school basketball player he had over 600 rebounds in his career. Gets the ball at the high point. Excellent concentration and reaction to the ball. Catches the ball above the crowd. Competitive for the ball in traffic or over the middle. A three layer tight end who catches the short hide routes in the flat, middle seam routes, or split cover-two deep down the middle. Fights for the yards after the catch. Solid inline run blocker with good upper and lower body strength. Good balance and knee bend in pass protection. Stays square. Light feet. Works to finish. Takes good angles and can adjust on the run in space. Stays on his feet. Comes off hard on his release. Fluid in his patterns with good body control. Can get open horizontally and vertically. Will drive and sustain. Productive and willing. Did not run at Combine due to hamstring injury that required surgery. Rehabilitation for tearing the hamstring off the bone is approximately 6 months. Also had shoulder surgery in 2009. 2010 stats: 28-328 yds, 11.7 ypr, 3 TDs. Career stats: 90-1032 yds, 11.5 ypr, 8 TDs. First round talent. (A-34, H-10 3/4, BP-19, VJ-34.5).