New York Jets 2018 NFL Draft Target: Mason Rudolph
The New York Jets are looking for their quarterback of the future. One prospect they should consider selecting in the 2018 NFL Draft is Mason Rudolph.
It’s no secret that the New York Jets need a quarterback upgrade. Josh McCown did a fine job last season but he is going to be 39 in July. The best solution is to sign Kirk Cousins as a free agent, as I wrote several weeks ago. That would give Gang Green their long-awaited franchise signal-caller. If the Jets are successful in that regard, a player they should consider selecting in the 2018 NFL Draft to develop for the future is quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Let’s be clear right from the beginning: The Oklahoma State product is a project. He is raw. He’s projected to be drafted anywhere from Rounds 2-4. Rudolph needs time to adapt to the pro game. However, he does possess solid upside with proper coaching at the NFL level.
The 6-5, 230-pounder led the FBS with 377 passing yards per contest last year. Rudolph completed 65 percent of his throws and added 37 touchdown passes with just nine interceptions for the 10-3 Cowboys. They installed a wide-open offense in Stillwater and Rudolph was the ultimate gunslinger.
Let’s take a look at some highlights of the Rock Hill, SC native via YouTube:
As far as strengths are concerned, Rudolph has excellent height and size for a quarterback. He’s a pure pocket passer. He leads his receivers well and lets routes develop properly. He slides effectively in the pocket to clear a throwing lane when the pocket collapses. Rudolph’s arm strength is average to above-average overall and he has shown overall improvement each season. The OSU standout did a better job in his senior campaign of getting rid of the football quickly. That cut down on the number of times he was sacked.
Although far from speedy, Rudolph can scramble for a key first down when he needs to and has the strength to bull and power his way into the end zone on short bursts. He finished his career with 17 rushing touchdowns for the Cowboys. Rudolph works through his progressions well and lofts his deep passes so his receivers can make dynamic plays downfield. He’s fearless, intense and is known as a strong leader in the huddle.
On the flip side, the 22-year old signal-caller will need to get used to taking the ball from under center on the pro level. He took the vast majority of his snaps with the Cowboys from shotgun formation. This adjustment, and it’s a large one, will take time.
Rudolph needs to improve his accuracy and footwork in roll-out scenarios. His throws seem to come out a little flat when he is forced to leave the pocket. He also has to be more pinpoint throwing into tight windows. Windows only get smaller in the NFL, not larger. Being able to complete those type of passes separates the Pro Bowl quarterbacks from the average ones. In addition, Rudolph needs to tighten up his ball security. Turnovers in the NFL are just deadly.
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All in all, with meticulous coaching on the pro level, Rudolph can turn into a solid quarterback in the NFL. It’s going to take time though. The best plan for New York moving forward would be to sign Cousins, have McCown return for one more season as a veteran backup and then draft Rudolph in the third round or later. He has fine potential but the Jets will have to be patient with Rudolph if they bring him aboard. If they ink Cousins to a long-term pact, they can afford to be very patient.