NFL Draft 2018: Quarterback sleepers to consider after first round
The first round of the 2018 NFL draft will feature plenty of quarterbacks selected. But who are are some sleepers at QB who could make an impact in later rounds?
Yes, the 2018 NFL draft is deep at the quarterback position. With at least three prospects projected to be top-five picks, teams have a lot of options when considering future signal-callers.
While quarterback-needy teams outside the top-15 may miss out on highly touted prospects, there will still be plenty of talent in later rounds of the draft.
Here, we take a look at the biggest sleepers at quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
In a draft saturated with quarterback talent, Rudolph blends into the crowd. At 6-5, 235 pounds, the Oklahoma State product blending in anywhere sounds absurd. However, despite being somewhat undervalued, Rudolph would be a steal in the second or third round. Having a chance to develop in a system for a few years would be an ideal situation for the gunslinger.
As a senior, Rudolph capped off his prolific college career by winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm and Sammy Baugh Awards while earning second-team All-Big 12 recognition. He led the FBS with 377 passing yards per game (4,904 total), completing 65 percent of his passes, with 37 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. Arm strength is a non-issue for Rudolph, so if he’s able to polish his game he could become a legitimate starter at the next level.
Luke Faulk, Washington State
Faulk, a former walk-on at Washington State, is another late-round quarterback who could make an impact in the pros. The Utah native boated excellent accuracy and poise during his time with the Cougars. Faulk set several Pac-12 records, including total offense, passing touchdowns, passing yards, completions, and attempts in his four years.
As a junior, Faulk earned second-team All-Conference with 343.7 yards per game, 38 touchdowns, and a 70 percent completion percentage. While Faulk was expected to improve as a senior, he was benched at times and saw his passing numbers slightly decrease. While Faulk struggled with consistency as a quarterback, he still put up some of the most impressive stats in the nation. He shouldn’t drop further than the fourth round in the draft.
Kyle Lauletta, Richmond
Lauletta didn’t have the prolific college career like some of his draft classmates. However, the Spiders’ two-time captain comes from a rich line of football players. Lauletta’s father was a quarterback at Navy in the 1980’s, and his older brother, Trey, played center at Bucknell. Before them, Lauletta’s grandfather played football at Delaware, and his uncle played for Navy.
As a senior Lauletta threw for a modest 3,737 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. While his stats don’t jump off the page, he impressed with his leadership and quick decision-making. NFL teams will be cautious in earlier rounds because of Lauletta’s lack of arm strength. The 6-3, 215 pound prospect should be an early fifth-round addition.
Riley Furgeson, Memphis
After initially singing with Tennesee out of high school, Ferguson ended up at Memphis. While he didn’t garner the attention many thought he would coming out of high school, Ferguson shined with the Tigers. During his two seasons with Memphis, Ferguson threw for 7,955 yards, 70 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Playing for two offensive coordinates in two years, Furguson did a great job at adjusting to changes.
Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Post-free agency 3 rounds
His ability to throw deep, accurate balls downfield is what made him a highly-recruited quarterback. However, Ferguson has a slow release on his throws and can make poor decisions with the football. Look for the Memphis quarterback to fall in the last two rounds of the draft. If he can work with an experienced coordinator, he may find a solid role in the pros.