2018 NFL Draft: Pro Day critical for Mason Rudolph

Missing one of the biggest games of his life will cost 2018 NFL Draft prospect Mason Rudolph

Confined in a quarterback-heavy class in the 2018 NFL Draft Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph was gearing up for the most important week of his life. Just weeks before traveling to Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl the Cowboys quarterback suffered a left foot sprain.

Luckily for Rudolph, the injury won’t  require surgery, but he will miss the chance to practice and play in front of hundreds of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts. Rudolph will attend the Senior Bowl to have his measurements taken and to interview with teams with just a couple of months until the 2018 NFL Draft.

It’s a lost opportunity to stand out with top prospects Sam Darnold, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Rosen not in attendance in Mobile. Rudolph’s performance in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine can now be directly compared to those other more highly touted prospects.

Rudolph will certainly hope his foot is healed before the NFL Combine in early March when he can display his talents to the NFL masses. If the foot continues to bother him, then his Pro Day could be the only opportunity for talent evaluators to get a closer look.

Rudolph currently projects to be drafted on the second day of the 2018 NFL Draft after starting three consecutive seasons in Stillwater. Improving statistically each season with Oklahoma State Rudolph threw 37 touchdowns as a senior and led a 30-21 win over Virginia Tech in the Camping World Bowl.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Rosen vs Darnold

With excellent footwork and a strong arm, Rudolph physically looks like Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz. Accuracy, particularly on intermediate throws, is Rudolph’s biggest downside, and his history playing in a spread offense could mean he needs a redshirt year in the NFL.