Oh, the fun is just starting. The NFL Draft is less than three weeks away and players are moving up and down team draft boards like a stock market catching fire at the right time. The most recent name to light up has been Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph, who is said to be on the radar of both the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills. Could either one of the AFC East teams make a move to Rudolph in as their future signal caller.
If the Patriots were to draft Mason Rudolph, with either the 23rd or 31st pick in the draft, it will be seen as a move to eventually replace Tom Brady from behind center. One school of thought may be the team uses the two first round picks to move up in the first round to grab a quarterback early.
It has also been reported through different mock drafts the Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals could all be interested in the 6-foot-5, 22-year-old from Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Per Chase Goodbread of NFL.com, “Rudolph’s contact with NFL teams to this point also has included visits or workouts with the Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Cincinnati Bengals.
“Having traded Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett in the last year, the Patriots figure to be seeking a new understudy for Tom Brady at the position. The Patriots hold the No. 23 and 31 overall selections in the first round, as well as picks 43 and 63 in Round 2.”
It was believed Garoppolo would be the heir apparent to Brady, but now, the team may be scrambling to find another young arm to groom. Mason Rudolph was prolific in the Cowboys’ offense. In is senior season, Rudolph threw for over 4,900 yards and for 37 touchdowns. He could be one of six quarterbacks to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
The Bills could also be a contender for Rudolph’s services, writes Goodbread. The Bills hold the No. 12 overall pick after a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals moved them up from No. 21 overall. Buffalo also has the No. 22 overall pick, and their need at the quarterback position has fueled speculation that the club could be looking to move even higher.
Buffalo signed A.J. McCarron in the offseason from the Bengals, who is currently listed as the team’s starter.