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How OSU Players Are Faring in the Senior Bowl

Published

6 years ago

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It’s Senior Bowl week, and this year Oklahoma State sent three (two really) players to be a part of the yearly game designed to be a primer for the NFL Draft. For some this will be their time to shine, however I expect all three Oklahoma State players to be invited to the combine.

Although there still is the game to be played, really the practices are the more critical portion of the week as coaches are able to single up specific situations to put the players in and evaluate.

Each one of the three players came into the week with plenty of hype but also a lot to prove to people on the national stage.  Let’s take a look at all three, and what their performance this week means for their draft stock.

1. Mason Rudolph
  • Height: 6 feet 4 1/8 inches
  • Weight: 229 pounds
  • Hand size: 9 1/8 inches
  • Arms: 32 1/2 inches

What we knew coming into this week: Unfortunately Mason Rudolph had to back out of the majority of the Senior Bowl due to a foot injury. There really wasn’t a lot for him to accomplish this week. In terms of what he did participate in, we knew that he checked almost all the boxes in terms of size, and would be able to handle himself well in interviews not only with the media but individual teams as well. Rudolph will need to show consistent accuracy, above average arm strength and ability to digest NFL terminology/coverage at the NFL combine.

What we learned this week: Confirmed everything above (except last sentence of course). Rudolph’s 6-4 and 230 pounds is the prototypical size for a NFL QB. Rudolph has small hands at 9 1/8 inches, but they are above the bottom threshold for QBs. Some might point this out as a red flag, but it won’t play a huge factor. Rudolph handled himself well with the media, and based off all the reports I’ve seen team meetings went well. Bottom line is he looks the part and is intelligent and charismatic enough to impress in interviews. We also learned that Andrew Siciliano is really short.

 

 

 

 

Stock: Holding steady

Projection as of today: Pick 25-45

2. Marcell Ateman
  • Height: 6 feet 4 1/4 inches
  • Weight: 216 pounds
  • Hand size: 9 inches
  • Arms: 33 5/8 inches

What we knew coming into this week: Ateman wins with his huge catch radius, good hand usage and body control. He lacks the ability to gain consistent separation, mainly because he doesn’t have top end quickness and burst. Like Washington, he has shown a limited route tree, but is a good route runner in certain situations – mainly intermediate hitches and out routes. Can really sit down nicely in and out of breaks, but does have tendency to round off in breaking routes too much. Also isn’t a burner on vertical routes, so has to rely on high pointing and using body/hands for separation at catch point.

What we learned this week: Ateman had a nice week in practice, and I think just his presence is enough to impress. He is a massive target, and although he also has small hands his frame and long arms are more than enough to compensate. He still has issues consistently separating from tight coverage, and that was shown on some reps.

 

However, he still is able to use good technique to win in certain situations. See below, the excellent hand usage and slight movement up field (step on his toes, shout out to Coach Dunn) before making his break inside to create separation. Ateman is who is he is, a huge body who will win in contested situations, who is probably more of a Z receiver/redzone target in the NFL.

 

 

 

Stock: Holding steady

Projection as of today: Pick 50-70

3. James Washington
  • Height: 5 feet 10 7/8 inches
  • Weight: 210 pounds
  • Hand size: 9 5/8 inches
  • Arms: 33 7/8 inches

What we knew coming into this week: James Washington obviously had a ton of production in college, but he still had his doubters. We knew he was a vertical threat that could make plays down the field, but there were concerns about Washington being able to run routes effectively at short/intermediate levels. Also being able to face tight press coverage, due the fact that the Big 12 relies heavily on off coverage and zone. Coming into the week, we knew Washington was built a little different, shorter and stockier than your average receiver. Hand usage, body control and vertical speed were strengths. Route running was a significant concern coming into the week; there were also concerns of Washington being a little stiff and lacking quickness to beat coverage off the line.

What we learned this week: Anyone who followed him closely or listened to me talk ever, knew that James Washington was 5-11, it wasn’t a secret. Washington has huge arms that increase his catch radius to make up for the height, and make him play bigger than he is.

I think Washington did an excellent job being able to address most of these concerns above. Against some excellent cornerbacks, he consistently beat both press and off coverage, sometimes with ease. We didn’t see him a lot versus press in game action, and he was arguable the top WR on either team against press coverage. The thing that impresses me most about Washington is his strength. Some people view his body type as a weakness, but since he is so compact and at 210 pounds, smaller cornerbacks simply cannot handle him on the line.

He is able to toss this DB back and create separation with one arm, tremendous strength. (Please ignore both the offensive and defensive pass interference calls.) Some WRs win with quickness off the line, some win with strength and it’s going to be tough for DBs to be able to play physical with him and win.

 

 

More importantly, to address some concerns from scouts, Washington was able to show a more smooth transition deep into the route tree. This is something that has improved quite a bit over the course of last year. In past years, Washington was able to cover up weaknesses in route running by the threat of vertical routes. I do not see that as a significant issue any more, you can see quick/crisp transition from outside jab step back inside against a very talented cornerback.

 

 

 

 

 

I think Washington has cemented himself as a Top 3 WR in the draft after this weekend.

Stock: Rising

Projection as of today: Pick 16-32

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