Musical mileage is something I've recently started to invest in, and have noticed it may not be explored to the extent it should be. I have been guilty off trying to digest loads of information and in the process neglected developing the Useful application of material presented.
I think it would be a disservice to say that there's rare opportunity to apply rudiments, without delving deeply into their application beyond speedy snare work. For example, the ever so simple RLL can go from dotted 8th accents, to triplet rolls progressing to tight drags and ruffs, all by playing with the space between notes. An obvious and basic application of one three note pattern has tremendous usage and application. Work on getting the most out of each rudiment, and perhaps they will no longer seem impractical.
This coming from a guy whose efficiency with rudiments is incredibly lacking, I will say. So take it for what it is, just my own beliefs.