Should I start or sit Kyle Rudolph in Week 1 fantasy football?

Kyle Rudolph is one of the most seasoned veterans around the league, let alone the Vikings offense. Entering his ninth season, he has always maintained a certain level of production and he has become one of the easiest players to project in terms of what he can provide to both his team and fantasy owners. Although things didn’t look good for him on draft day as Minnesota drafted another tight end in Irv Smith Jr. during the second round, he was handed a four-year extension just two months later, securing his role on the team.

The Vikings offense features three above-average players in Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs and Dalvin Cook. Rudolph falls behind them in the pecking order. But news surfaced Friday that Diggs is officially questionable to play in Minnesota’s season opener against the Falcons. With only one go-to receiver to seek in Thielen, Rudolph should see more targets than he usually does and Minnesota might run more 21-personnel plays in which Rudolph profiles as the catching-TE with Smith Jr. on blocking duties.

Fantasy Impact: Going straight to the point, if you are reading this trying to decide what to do with your DFS lineup just fade Rudolph in favor of other more valuable option. Diggs being out doesn’t mean Rudolph will excel, just that he will probably see more targets. The Falcons had the 11th-best defense against TE in terms of yards allowed. I don’t think Rudolph is a bad player to have in a deep season-long league bench to start him in favorable matchups, but that is not the case this week even with Diggs potential absence.

Recommendation: Sit