Mason Rudolph Throws Hat Into the Ring for #1 Pick Discussion

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 16: Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys celebrates after a touchdown by Dillon Stoner #17 (not pictured) during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on September 16, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 16: Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys celebrates after a touchdown by Dillon Stoner #17 (not pictured) during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on September 16, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Mason Rudolph
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Mason Rudolph /

The 2018 NFL draft talks has been all Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen and Lamar Jackson. One man who’s feeling a bit disrespected is Mason Rudolph.

This coming college class is supposedly rich in potential quarterback talent but thus far it hasn’t showed on the field. Despite wins bot Rosen and Darnold have been largely inconsistent. For every big play they make, there’s another they wish they could have back. Jackson has lit up defenses to start the year, but he did that last season too. Many feel his frame and skill set will be better suited to wide receiver whenever he decides to go pro.

Meanwhile the most pro-ready QB of the group might be Rudolph. He has experience playing under center, utilizing play action and reading defenses. On top of that he might be the best deep thrower in the group, something NFL teams tend to covet. Especially from a kid who stands 6’4″. Never were his assets more impressive than this week against Pitt when he put on a 1st half clinic for the ages.

He finished with 423 yards and five touchdowns in two quarters of football. Oklahoma State cruised to a 59-21 victory. All told through his first three games he has 1,135 yards and 11 touchdowns to just one interception. Of course it’s early in the season and things change. Still if he can maintain close to this pace for the rest of the year, a year where he was under a ton of pressure to perform there is no doubt he’ll start to create #1 pick buzz.

There are plenty of teams that would feel they can do a lot with a player of his makeup. Experts always talk about does a guy have an NFL skill set? Rudolph has the body, the arm and the poise under high stakes to deliver. That is what top picks are about.