The Cleveland Browns should have zero interest in Kyle Rudolph

The Cleveland Browns have no business having any interest in Kyle Rudolph.

The Cleveland Browns are not a complete team. They have many holes they need to fill and the 2022 offseason is key for that. They need desperate help at receiver and a few backup linemen may help bolster things. Defensively, the whole front four needs work, and a few more linebackers and safeties wouldn’t be a bad thing. That doesn’t mean that every position group needs work. That’s not true. Running backs and corners are among the best on the team. So are the tight ends, which is a key reason why Kyle Rudolph makes zero sense for the Cleveland Browns.\\

Despite what some may suggest.

Some will cite Rudolph and Kevin Stefanski’s prior history as a reason the Browns may have interest in him. That’s fine and all, but the truth of the matter is that Rudolph is not a fit in Cleveland. The offense is slow and is in desperate need of speed. Rudolph doesn’t help the Browns there.

Forgetting about the team’s speed for a second, let’s realize one thing; the Browns have three starting-capable tight ends on the team, a fourth isn’t going to help them. Not even if the Browns aren’t able to retain David Njoku, who’s a free agent in 2022.

If the Browns can’t lock down Njoku, adding yet another slow body to the passing attack isn’t going to make things easier on the Browns. They’d be better off drafting a mid-round talent to replace Njoku, retaining Austin Hooper and giving Harrison Bryant more reps.

The team already divvies up the reps and opportunities enough among the three tight ends the team already has. Why add another name to the mix? All of that doesn’t even factor in that Stephen Carlson, a Stefanski favorite, will likely be the fourth tight end once again in 2022, due to his blocking.

Carlson is younger and cheaper than Rudolph and blocks better.

Kevin Rudolph only makes sense if Cleveland Browns re-work the position

Now, should Njoku not be re-signed and the Browns opt to move on from Hooper, then Rudolph becomes a likely candidate to serve as the second tight end in a two tight-end set with Bryant. Rudolph’s numbers aren’t impressive, and despite his two Pro Bowl appearances, has historically not been a deep threat or a red zone target.

He’s no Rob Gronkowski, and if the Browns can’t improve the speed to the offense (which seems extremely unlikely) then Rudolph just brings more of the same to an already sluggish passing game.