NFL Draft Analyst Mocks Mason Rudolph to Cleveland Browns in 2017 NFL Draft, and it Makes Sense

NDT scouting football guru’s Kyle Crabbs and Joe Marino did their own NFL mock draft this week in podcast form. And even though the draft isn’t until April, they do year-round coverage of the NFL draft and mocked up some fun picks from who they project as first rounders for the 2017 draft.

Just to note, this is a mock draft they took part in where each analyst made a selection and took turns in the first round. The draft order and teams selecting in the slots are not yet final until the end of the year (and even then, teams can trade in and out of those slots), but it’s a fun exercise to see who would fit where with a team.

The founder and director of scouting for NDT Scouting, Kyle Crabbs, who has scouted the NFL draft since 2010, really likes what Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph brings to the table — and feels like the Cleveland Browns — yes the Cleveland Browns — could be a landing spot for the junior quarterback from South Carolina.

For the Browns in their mock draft, they naturally received the No. 1 overall pick for the draft after bottoming out again this year (they selected Myles Garrett No. 1, FWIW). And thanks to a trade with Philadelphia that netted the Eagles Carson Wentz last season, the Browns also hold the No. 32 pick this year. Here’s why Crabbs thinks the Browns will take OSU quarterback Mason Rudolph with pick No. 32:

Look at what the Browns have on offense: Terrelle Pryor, Corey Coleman, these are vertical receivers. There’s a quarterback who throws vertical throws, and throws them well. I’m going to opt for a guy who wears Brown and orange now (questionable!), and he’s going to wear brown and orange at the next level. Mason Rudolph from Oklahoma State, is one of the best vertical passers in the draft as far as eligible prospects, and it makes too much sense looking at what his strengths are and what the strengths are of the Cleveland wide receivers to not make this pairing here at the end of the first round.

In the same order as CBS Sports, the fellas at NDT scouting also have him as the fifth quarterback off the board for next year, but some 30 spots higher than CBS.

Again, this is a mock exercise, and perhaps Rudolph will elect to return next year, which isn’t at all ruled out. But it’s no secret the Browns don’t have a QB, and Rudolph’s ability to throw downfield would actually make him a good match with what they have talent wise on the outside.

If you’re interested, you can listen to the entire podcast episode below. The discussion surrounding Rudolph picks up at about the 26:50 mark.