2018 NFL Draft: Key strengths and weaknesses for Mason Rudolph

Weakness: Experience Under Center

Spread offense quarterbacks can thrive in the NFL, but there’s no denying how challenging the transition can be. Starting in a shotgun or pistol formation enables one to see the entire field before they hike the ball from a broad vantage point.

When a player is operating under center, however, their scope is far more limited and they’re tasked with scanning the field from entirely different angles.

In a shotgun or pistol formation, the ball is hiked and a quarterback is already in a position to evaluate their options. When working under center, however, players are tasked with maintaining pristine footwork and going through their progressions.

For a player who has never previously done so, that adjustment period becomes a challenge that could singlehandedly submarine their career.

It must be noted that Rudolph played in a spread offense in both college and high school. Thus, he’s essentially building from ground zero in his attempts to become a pocket passer in the NFL, where he’ll need to play under center.

If a team is going to take a chance on Rudolph, then it will likely need to give him at least one season to simply become comfortable with traditional dropbacks and reads.