2018 NFL Draft: Key strengths and weaknesses for Mason Rudolph

Weakness: Limited Progressions

The idea that a spread offense quarterback can’t adjust to playing under center is a little disingenuous. It’s an entirely fair concern, but it’s also a stance that doesn’t exactly give a player’s football IQ and work ethic the benefit of the doubt.

What serves as a fair concern about spread offense quarterbacks, however, is the fact that they’re tasked with going through limited progressions at the collegiate level.

Oklahoma State’s offense often directed Rudolph to where he needed to be. His options were spelled out for him, to some extent, and he had players who could go up and get the ball when his throws were wobbly or off the mark.

That doesn’t mean Rudolph can’t learn how to truly run an offense or tap into the football knowledge he possesses, but it’s a fair reason for skepticism.

Along these same lines, Rudolph doesn’t seem to be the quarterback who throws his receivers open. He can still be successful as the field general who makes the right throws, but his passes rarely lead his receivers to their spots.

This is something that Rudolph can work on, but it’s fair to question if he can become the type of player who can go through multiple progressions and throw his receivers open.