Path to the Draft: Recapping a Big Weekend for Some All-Time Pokes

The 2018 NFL Draft has come and gone and four Cowboys were selected from Rounds 3 through 7. So let’s put a bow on this draft season with some of the highlights from the weekend.

Let this sink in for a minute because I don’t think it quite has for me. Mason Rudolph and James Washington are on the same team. Wild.

Thank you, @steelers. Can't wait to start rewarding your faith in me. Time to get to work. Digging this #NFLDraft card from #PaniniInstant. Check it out. https://t.co/aimuXImXWw pic.twitter.com/lfWYcbUsZH

— Mason Rudolph (@Rudolph2Mason) April 28, 2018

We’ll get into this more later, but Rudolph’s selection makes the QB count in Pittsburgh four. And Steelers OC Randy Fichtner doesn’t expect to be able to keep four so?? changes might be coming. Former OU passer and QB2, Landy Jones is entering a contract year. Joshua Dobbs is eyeing his sophomore campaign, but I think it’s pretty obvious that Rudolph will have all the chances he wants to leapfrog the Tennessee product.

This seems significant.

Over past 38 years, Steelers drafted 5 QBS in rounds 3 or higher. All became their starters: Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, Neil O’Donnell, Kordell Stewart, Ben Roethlisberger. Will Mason Rudolph make it 6 for 6?

— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) April 28, 2018

Washington, on the other hand, will be primed for a feature role in 2018.

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With the departure of deep-threat Martavis Bryant, a spot is there for the taking for college football’s best receiver last season.

I think James WAshington is the #1 WR in this draft. He's still on the board. Guy crushed the Senior Bowl. Dominated vs press, off. We graded every rep, and he stood out.

— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) April 27, 2018

This pick makes complete sense by the @Steelers . James Washington is arguably the best deep ball receiver in the draft. He separates from DBs with the ball in the air. Perfect replacement for Martavis Bryant. PIT has a knack for finding gems at WR outside Round 1. #NFLDraft

— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) April 28, 2018

James Washington opposite Antonio Brown is terrifying holy lord

— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) April 28, 2018

Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington. Not fair. Not fair at all.

— Max Olson (@max_olson) April 28, 2018

The Cowboys’ leading tackler from last year spent his weekend playing video games and with family as he waited for his fifth-round call from the Seahawks. And he took to Twitter with his daughter, Bailee, to thank Seattle for the opportunity.

Tre Flowers can’t wait to get to work. ? @_Slimm7 has a message for the 12s! pic.twitter.com/9RcGWuxMsn

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) April 28, 2018

Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie on Marcell Ateman per Raiders.com.

“Well, I tell you what, Marcell with me I had the opportunity to get a big receiver like that, we jumped at it. We’re going to give him a shot and let him compete and see how it goes but even with [former Dallas Cowboy receive Ryan] Switzer, those guys that can do certain things… with Marcell, giving him the opportunity to show coaches what he can do. I mean, he made a lot of big plays in college and we want to see if he can do that for us.”

Thank you @RAIDERS for this opportunity ☠️ ..thanks to everyone for the support and love throughout all of this. I’m ready to get to work! #GloryToGod

— Marcell Ateman. (@ItsMarcell) April 28, 2018

Leftovers from #DraftTwitter

The Steelers trade up to secure Big Ben's future successor, QB Mason Rudolph. No draft-eligible QB had more deep passing yards & TDs in 2017! pic.twitter.com/4QhJYDAH8P

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 28, 2018

(Mason Rudolph will have a better NFL career than at least two of the QBs taken before him)

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) April 28, 2018

Take Mason Rudolph. He’s not gonna be around for pick 199

— Southwell (@JustinSouthwell) April 28, 2018

Tre Flowers, #Seahawks' 5th-round pick and Oklahoma State S that Seattle will convert to CB, was in his kitchen feeding his 1-year-old daughter Bailee when Seahawks called telling him they were drafting him. @thenewstribune

— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) April 28, 2018

Tre Flowers 33 7/8” arms. HOLY

— Dave Softy Mahler (@Softykjr) April 28, 2018

Former Oklahoma State running backs coach Jemal Singleton now owns the same title for the Oakland Raiders. And he reached out to one of the newest Raiders on Twitter.

I see you @ItsMarcell I remember when @kasey_dunn was recruiting you. Now you’re coming to Oakland!!! Time to show out and represent @CowboyFB. Just like Coach Dunn always told you, #Compete. https://t.co/rRDFQ4y7c3

— Jemal Singleton (@CoachSings) April 29, 2018

The New England Patriots drafted one wide receiver during this year’s draft and waited until the sixth round to select him. And they signed just one wide receiver among the eight undrafted free agents the team signed — Chris Lacy.

Patriots snag #okstate WR Chris Lacy. Big, physical dude.. tries to maul people on every play & is super smart off the field. Industrial engineering major. Sounds like a really good fit with Belichick.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) April 29, 2018

Oklahoma State also had four other former Pokes sign as undrafted free agents.