Buffalo Bills Draft Profiles: Five First-Round Quarterback Candidates
This is the last quarterback that is projected to be a first-rounder. Again, it’s still early in the evaluation process so things can change.
You may have noticed I left Lamar Jackson off this list of first-round quarterback candidates. It’s not that I don’t think he is a good prospect, but more so because he brings a similar skill set that Tyrod did and the Bills brass didn’t seem pleased with that outcome.
Moving onto one last quarterback who will most likely hear there name called on night one of the NFL draft, Mason Rudolph.
The Oklahoma State Cowboy has a big arm and looks the part in terms of an NFL quarterback.
He’s a staggering six-foot-five, 230 pounds and is an absolute gunslinger. Rudolph’s deep ball is a thing of beauty. He had at least one completion over 60 yards in all but two of the 13 games this season. He succeeded in the pass-heavy Cowboys offense. The three-year starter racked up 4,904 yards in the air this season with 37 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.
The Cowboys signal caller is 28-8 in his collegiate career, including a 2-1 record in bowl games. Unlike a lot of draft-eligible players, Rudolph decided to actually play in his team’s bowl game this year. The Cowboys dueled the Virginia Tech Hokies in the Camping World Bowl. Rudolph led his team to their second bowl win in as many years with a 30-21 victory. He capped off his collegiate career with a 352-yard performance with two touchdowns and a 65.5 completion rating.
Rudolph is an intriguing prospect who’s athletically ready to be an NFL starter but needs time to adjust his game. He’d certainly be the most cost-effective option in the draft. Instead of giving up multiple picks for one of the top projected quarterbacks the Bills could sit tight and let Rudolph fall to them. It’s also conceivable that the Bills could trade down a few spots and acquire more picks and still take their coveted quarterback later in the round.
As of now, Rudolph is slated to be a late-first, early second-round pick according to most draft experts. He was looking to improve his stock at next week’s Senior Bowl but unfortunately suffered a foot injury and had to bow out of the contest.
The Bills pick at 21, 22, 53, and 56. If Rudolph’s absence from the Senior Bowl affects his draft stock and causes him to tumble down draft boards, Buffalo may be able to capitalize on his misfortune.
Rudolph may not be ready to start day one, but he does have the skillset to be a starter one day. Whatever Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott decide to do at the quarterback position. Rudolph is an interesting option.
There are many quarterback options for the Buffalo Bills in this draft.
As we saw, there could be as many as six taken in the first round alone. Do the Bills move up? Do they stay put? Move back? Only time will tell what happens in the draft. But April 26th sure can’t come sooner for the Bills.
Next: All Of These Former Bills Will Be Playing In Super Bowl LII
Which franchise quarterback do you want the Bills to draft? Be sure to comment below or lest us know on Twitter which rookie you want to see under center in 2018.