2018 NFL Draft: Mason Rudolph can help stock at Senior Bowl
2018 NFL Draft: Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph has been one of the most productive passers in college, and can help his stock at the Senior Bowl.
For a variety of reasons, the Senior Bowl doesn’t always have the intrigue at the quarterback position that you would want. Whether players are advised by their agents not to participate, or they are underclassmen, or whatever reasons — it is usually hard to get the best quarterbacks to participate in the annual All-Star game.
That said, we have a special exception in 2018 as Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph has accepted his invitation to play in the game and participate in the week of practices.
An already exciting group just got even more so.
QB Mason Rudolph @Rudolph2Mason from @CowboyFB has accepted his invitation to the 2018 Reese's Senior Bowl! #CompeteAndConnect #SeniorBowl #Reeses pic.twitter.com/DWGwtxgKGr
— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) December 13, 2017
What does Rudolph have to prove?
This is a very interesting question, and the simple answer to it is ‘nothing’.
When you look specifically at what Rudolph is going to ‘prove’ to people at Senior Bowl practices, there’s nothing he can do that will be more impressive than what he’s already done.
Rudolph’s career at Oklahoma State has not been flawless, but it has been pretty darn great.
His career touchdown-to-interception ratio is better than 3:1 (90 TD passes, 26 interceptions). His completion percentage has increased each of the past three seasons, including a career high 65 percent rate as a senior.
His touchdown numbers have increased every year. He’s never thrown double-digit interceptions. His yards per attempt has gone up every year, including 10.1 average this season.
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How can Rudolph help his stock?
While Rudolph doesn’t have much to prove, I think he can improve his stock at the Senior Bowl. This is going to be a great opportunity for him to get face-to-face with NFL teams in meeting rooms, and show them what he’s got as a leader on the field.
Getting the chance to take command of a practice, or at least as best he can, will be critical for Rudolph. He will get to demonstrate his ability as a leader, and he should be helped by having Cowboy teammates James Washington and Marcell Ateman also in attendance this year.
Rudolph is my highest rated quarterback to accept an invitation to the Senior Bowl, and he likely will end up being the highest no matter what. He’s currently my 5th ranked quarterback behind Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Josh Rosen, and Lamar Jackson.
Josh Allen could also join Rudolph in the Senior Bowl festivities, despite the fact that he’s a junior. He took a redshirt and will graduate this year, meaning he’s eligible for the Senior Bowl.
It’s unclear whether he’s been invited at this point in time.