Rudolph The Red Nosed Cardinal?

[Mitch]

Won't you guide our sleigh tonight...

The Cardinals have been paying special interest in Oklahoma St. QB Mason Rudolph. They have been sending scouts to every one of his games.

Positives:

* All-time leading passer at Oklahoma St.
* Good size at 6-4, 230.
* Pocket passer who moves his feet to buy time in pocket.
* Spreads the ball around---has an All-American WR in James Washington.
* 2017 Stats: 3,690 yds, 64.8%, 10.2 ypa, 30 TDs, 7 ints., 15 sacks.
* Carrer Stats: 12,404 yds, 63.4%, 9.4 ypa, 85 TD, 24 ints., 84 sacks.
* Very productive in vertical style passing game (which the Cardinals under BA covet).
* Well spoken, very dedicated, has leadership qualities.

Question Marks:

* Some scouts question his arm strength. Some see it as little above average.
* Lack of mobility---85 sacks in career.
* Throws a high number of 50/50 balls.
* Throws off back foot at times under pressure.

Some say Rudolph has Tom Brady type skills, the way he can shift his feet in the pocket and throw quick darts over the middle and up the seams. Others compare him to former Cowboy Brandon Weeden (whose NFL career has been a disappointment) because he has been a little too deliberate at times and thereby, because of a lack of mobility, is sack prone.

In some early mocks thus far he is projected in the top 12, while in most early mocks he is a Day 2 pick.

I think that when all is said and done, Rudolph will go in the top 10 of the draft.

Take a look at his most recent game versus Iowa St. where he brought the Cowboys back from a 14 point deficit. Iowa St. has one of the better defenses in the country.

https://www.cowboysrideforfree.com/...ll-really-good-oklahoma-state-football-big-12

Scroll down and watch the tape of all his completions. It's worth a good look. Rudolph is very impressive in this game---buys good time with his feet, shows poise, sets his feet up well in most cases, is accurate off a smooth release, extends plays like the TDs to WR Ateman, and has very good vision.

While I am enamored with the mobile QBs in this draft, I can see why the Cardinals have interest in Rudolph. At first i was skeptical about him, but the more i have watched of him, the more impressed I have become.

Here's a good ESPN special on him as well---with good interview:

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[oaken1]

so...yer saying BASK will peg him as "The Guy"... but then figure they can get him in the second round.....

 

[DVontel]

Whoever drafts him in the 1st round should be fired on the spot.

 

[kerouac9]

https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/09/19/mason-rudolph-nfl-draft-2018-scouting-report

Counterpoint.

 

[Mitch]

so...yer saying BASK will peg him as "The Guy"... but then figure they can get him in the second round.....

Possibly. However, I think Rudolph is winning over some of his critics.

The counterpoint article k9 posted was written back in September, early into the college FB season.

So much depends on whether the Cardinals make a QB move via trade or free agency. But, in the meantime, they are keeping a close watch on Rudolph.

 

[Mitch]

Whoever drafts him in the 1st round should be fired on the spot.

Rudolph is very likely going to be drafted in the 1st round, especially if he keeps playing the way he has been this season. His plus 10 ypa figure is very impressive. It's not like he's one of those dink and dunk QBs.

 

[Mitch]

While I like Mason Rudolph and can see why the Cardinals are heavily scouting him, I would really like to see the Cardinals finally draft a mobile, dual-threat QB.

I would do everything I could to trade up to get Lamar Jackson. He might take a little time to develop, but he is a special talent and an outstanding athlete. Plus he has a David Johnson type personality—he and DJ would be an amazing fit.

Josh Allen intrigues me as well—his physical traits and skills are off the charts—but, again, he will have to be groomed for a year or two.

I wonder about Baker Mayfield’s size, but I think he has exceptional awareness, vision and playmaking ability.

Those are the three QBs I want for the Cardinals in this draft. At least, for now. Of course, so much depends on who is the next head coach and his which QB fits his style/philosophy.

 

[cardncubfan]

I like Rudolph as well. I will trust the professionals judgement over Dvontels.

Here is Breers assessment on Mayfield & Jackson to go with k9's link.

https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/09/13/2...uisville-heisman-scouting-reports-first-round

 

[DVontel]

Rudolph is very likely going to be drafted in the 1st round, especially if he keeps playing the way he has been this season. His plus 10 ypa figure is very impressive. It's not like he's one of those dink and dunk QBs.

Plays in a extremely friendly QB system & panics even in the slightest bit of pressure. Has no special traits to speak of. Strong supporting cast. Remember Bryce Petty? That’s Mason Rudolph in a nutshell.

 

[DVontel]

I like Rudolph as well. I will trust the professionals judgement over Dvontels.

Here is Breers assessment on Mayfield & Jackson to go with k9's link.

https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/09/13/2...uisville-heisman-scouting-reports-first-round

Professionals are humans just like I am. Professionals also had guys like Blake Bortles & Blaine Gabbert panning out. You can say you like Rudolph, but don’t give me that “I trust the professionals over you” crap.

 

[az jam]

Cards need to draft and develop a qb. Not sure which is the best; will wait till after season, senior bowl and combine. Cards may need to trade up to get the one they want. I'm for that to get the right one.

 

[cardncubfan]

Professionals are humans just like I am. Professionals also had guys like Blake Bortles & Blaine Gabbert panning out. You can say you like Rudolph, but don’t give me that “I trust the professionals over you” crap.

never mind it ain't worth it

 

[JeffGollin]

While I like Mason Rudolph and can see why the Cardinals are heavily scouting him, I would really like to see the Cardinals finally draft a mobile, dual-threat QB.

I would do everything I could to trade up to get Lamar Jackson. He might take a little time to develop, but he is a special talent and an outstanding athlete. Plus he has a David Johnson type personality—he and DJ would be an amazing fit.

Josh Allen intrigues me as well—his physical traits and skills are off the charts—but, again, he will have to be groomed for a year or two.

I wonder about Baker Mayfield’s size, but I think he has exceptional awareness, vision and playmaking ability.

Those are the three QBs I want for the Cardinals in this draft. At least, for now. Of course, so much depends on who is the next head coach and his which QB fits his style/philosophy.

+1

 

[kerouac9]

The Cardinals have been paying special interest in Oklahoma St. QB Mason Rudolph. They have been sending scouts to every one of his games.

Where is this information coming from? This is a profound mismanagement of resources, if so. You maybe send a scout to one game to talk to coaches, see a practice, whatever, but eventually diminishing returns sets in and you're not getting anything more than you would from the tape.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

SI has horrible scouting reports. They don't even watch the game film...just ask a scout or two and roll with that. Garbage.

Oh, and Rudolph is a Day 3 QB. Probably the 6th or 7th rated QB on most draft boards.

 

[GatorAZ]

Plays in a extremely friendly QB system & panics even in the slightest bit of pressure. Has no special traits to speak of. Strong supporting cast. Remember Bryce Petty? That’s Mason Rudolph in a nutshell.

Bryce Petty is the perfect comparison. Trash system QB's.

 

[Buckybird]

I've watched plenty of his Pistol Pete games the last 2 years & im not buying the hype! If Big Red drafts this kid be prepared for the barf bags

Drafting Rudolph will ultimately get Keim Time fired IMO.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Yup, these are the kind of guys the Cardinals will draft in the freaking second round instead of moving up to grab one of the studs as I stated in why not to be enamour with Baker Mayfield lol

 

[Garthshort]

When it comes to drafting a QB, BASK do not have a history of thinking outside the box, so I'm guessing Baker Mayfield is out. Rudolph does fit the size that BASK prefers, and he might be the choice. Naturally, I have no idea whom we should be going after, but there are a number of possible candidates and this Draft looks to have a strong QB class. Staying with Mitch's Christmas theme I close with, "All I want for Christmas is ...................".

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I like Rudolph. I watched his game last week and he has a very quick release. I watched Bryce Petty a lot in college and I don't get that comparison at all. Jackson and Rudolph would be my first two choices(figure Rosen is gone) for the Cards but, admittedly, I have not seen much of the Wyoming kid, Allen.

My concerns with Rudolph are, like with Mayfield, is that he plays in a horrendous defensive conference and he does seem rattled at times. I don't see how people can knock the system Rudolph plays in but not hold that against Mayfield or Jackson too.