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Path to the Draft: Could Rudolph and Washington Be Headed to the Same Team?

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6 years ago

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Draft season continues to roll on and we are now less than a week from the start of the NFL Combine.

Before we check in on OSU’s potential future pros, let’s look at some important upcoming events and dates.

Important Dates/Info

OSU Pro Day: TBA
NFL Combine Invites: Rudolph, Washington, Ateman, Lacy, Flowers
NFL Combine: February 27 – March 5, Indianapolis, Indiana
NFL Draft: April 26 – 28, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas

OSU has yet to announce the date of its pro day, but it will likely fall in early March. The NFL Combine is begins next Tuesday and five Cowboys are training for that now.

Is Rudolph a fit for Miami?

Joe Schad, who now covers the Miami Dolphins for the Palm Beach Post, posited an argument for the Dolphins taking Mason Rudolph (if he is still available) with their second-round pick (43rd overall).

Here’s some of what he had to say.

…But the Dolphins do need to add a quarterback. And if Mason Rudolph of Oklahoma State is on the board in the second round, it could prove very tempting. Rudolph possesses size, accuracy and a soft-spoken confidence.

Ryan Tannehill is on pace to be healthy for the start of the 2018 season, so any QB drafted by Miami would likely be a piece for the future.

Draft experts are almost as varied with their feelings on Rudolph as #DraftTwitter. No position is more scrutinized than the QB and Rudolph maybe as polarizing from a talent standpoint as any I can remember.

Some of that falls on the reputation of coming from the Big 12, and some of that falls on him. I’d like to see him get on somewhere that fits him and, most importantly, gives him the opportunity to come along over a couple of years, if needed.

Ateman to the Bay Area?

Marcell Ateman has reportedly drawn the eye of the San Francisco 49ers who are in the market for a red-zone target for newly-inked franchise QB Jimmy Garoppolo. Ateman’s size makes sense as he would be the tallest receiver on the roster by two inches if he walked in today.

Marcell Ateman is also apparently training with former gold medalist Michael Johnson as prepares for the Combine.

On Washington and Ateman

NFL.com writer Matt Harmon laid out his top 10 free agents/draft prospects at receiver that teams should be pursuing. He tabbed James Washington as No. 4, highest among draftees.

Having amassed nearly 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns combined over his final two collegiate seasons, Washington enters the NFL with a notable resume, and the Oklahoma State product will be one of the top players selected at the position in the 2018 NFL Draft. Washington has great build-up speed and was a vertical playmaker in college. He’s also a combative receiver, both with the ball in his hands and when tracking misplaced passes down the field. The NFL Scouting Combine will be a good test to not only see exactly where his timed speed falls, but how he checks out in agility drills. Washington shows the skills to find his way onto the field as a big-play threat and possibly develop into a quality starter. So far, he’s been my favorite receiver prospect to watch.

And former NFL wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. listed the 10 receivers he’s excited to watch during next week’s NFL Combine. He had OSU’s pair of 1,000-yard wideouts among the list.

The five-time Pro Bowler seems high on Washington, maybe not so much on Rudolph.

…I’m curious to see how Washington performs with some of the upper-echelon quarterbacks of this class throwing to him at the combine. The ball was often late, overthrown or thrown behind him at Oklahoma State, so I want to see how he does with good ball placement.

I found Smith’s thoughts on Ateman as a No. 1 target at the next level interesting.

…Ateman absolutely has the makeup to be a WR1. He’s an aggressive pass catcher who attacks the ball and plays with a low center of gravity for being 6-4. Ateman’s willing to block in the run and steadily improved through the years. His college offense pushed the ball downfield, so he ran a ton of comeback and go routes. I want him to show that he can run more routes than the ones displayed in a typical high-flying offense.

Draft Grades

Here’s a quick run through of NFL.com’s draft grades for six former Pokes. Below is an explanation of the scoring.

draftgrades

 

Draft Projections

Will Brinson of CBS Sports has James Washington going 32nd overall to the reigning Super Bowl champs Philadelphia in his latest mock draft.

The Eagles could end up losing Torrey Smith in free agency and if they do, they need to find another weapon to take the top off opposing defenses.

Chris Trapasso, also of CBS Sports, has Rudolph and Washington going in back-to-back picks — to the same team. The Buffalo Bills hold picks 21 and 22.

The Bills will likely explore a variety of trade-up options. Ultimately, the price will be too steep to move around 20 spots in this draft to pick a quarterback. They stay put, pick Rudolph and start to build around him with their glut of early-round picks.

…

If you pick Rudolph, why not pair him with his ultra-productive downfield wideout? Washington has outstanding ball skills, body control, and some of the most electric deep speed in the class.

Chad Reuter of NFL.com has James Washington going to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 29 and Mason Rudolph going in the second round to Minnesota (No. 62 overall).

Other Tidbits

At least someone has Rudy as they’re top QB.

My goodness, Baker.

BREAKING: James Washington was efficient

This seems good.

 

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