Pro Football Focus Projects Mason Rudolph as First Round Pick in 2017

Whether you like it or not, Mason Rudolph will be a draft eligible prospect after next season.

That’s not to say he will declare early. But Rudolph, who stands at 6-4 and has incredible arm strength and all the measurables you look for in an NFL quarterback, could be a hot commodity if he can replicate his success from last season.

According to Pro Football Focus’ early 20017 mock draft, Rudolph projects as a late first round pick to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 25.

If the (Way too early) mock draft held true, Rudolph would be one of only two quarterbacks taken in the first round, behind Clemson’s Deshaun Watson.

From PFF:

Perhaps a surprise first-round pick, but Rudolph’s size and arm will be enticing for NFL teams during the scouting process. He’ll alternate between amazing and head-scratching with his accuracy, but there’s more good than bad and his 2015 passing grade was the second-best out of the returning signal-callers. Rudolph has the tools to fit nicely into head coach Bruce Arians’ scheme.

It’s way too early to think about a scenario that could take place almost a year from now. But if Rudolph can find similar success in 2016 and find himself a first round draft grade, that opportunity, especially for an underclassmen, would be very difficult to turn down.

H/T @BenDewalt7