Veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph, who worked out for the Denver Broncos before the NFL draft in April, plans to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via Bucs Wire).
Denver used a third-round pick to select Greg Dulcich in April and they also signed a pair of undrafted tight ends as well. After that, they re-signed veteran Eric Saubert, which seemingly put an end to the Rudolph pursuit.
Broncos general manager George Paton was serving as the Minnesota Vikings’ director of player personnel when they selected Rudolph in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft. Rudolph went on to have a 10-year run in Minnesota, earning two Pro Bowl nods.
Last spring, Rudolph signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants and his receiving numbers dipped a bit — 26 catches for 257 yards and one touchdown — but that was due in part to Rudolph getting only 39 targets, tied for the third-lowest total of his career.
And even if the veteran tight end’s most productive receiving days are behind him, Rudolph is still a very capable blocking tight end. Rudolph has also proven he’s a capable receiver when called on, catching 479 passes for 4,745 yards and 49 touchdowns in 156 career games.
Entering his 12th season in the NFL, Rudolph will turn 33 in November.
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