Mason Rudolph

[joeylitz]

So what do we think of this guy? According to Rotoworld, “Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said third-round pick Mason Rudolph "was with the group of the top quarterbacks" on their board. Pittsburgh moved up three spots in the third to get Rudolph, giving up a seventh-round pick in the process. "We didn't want to take that risk," Colbert said. "Mason Rudolph was somebody that we valued as much as the rest of those quarterbacks that were drafted." ”

Now that might be a bit of hyperbole or it might not. Do the Steelers view him as Ben’s replacement? And what about Big Ben, who has been thinking out loud about retirement for two years now...he says he will play 3 more years but will he? Or is that just ego because the Steelers traded up to draft a QB in the 3rd?

[Valhalla]

I like him quite a bit...but there’s not a lot of point in rostering him in most leagues. In a superflex, 3+ taxi, 16+ team, or just plain deep roster league, sure he’s definitely worth rostering as I think the future is bright. That future is probably 3 years out, though.

[jeffster]

Excellent taxi squad candidate. In superflex and 2qb, he should be rostered everywhere.

But there are a few of these guys every year, and the odds aren't very good he's ever fantasy relevant. Stash for cheap in leagues that have high QB values, is the bottom line.

[IBall2]

If the coaching staff really valued him with the rest of the QBs that went in the first 10 picks of the NFL draft, why did they draft James Washington in the second round and not Mason Rudolph? You would think they would have traded up in the 2nd to get the QB they valued highly.

I think it's mostly coach speak but he is in a good situation to sit a few years and learn so I like his odds of becoming the eventual starter. I think the coach speak was just to stroke their own ego and make themselves feel like they won the draft.

[Orenthal Shames]

I like him quite a bit...but there’s not a lot of point in rostering him in most leagues. In a superflex, 3+ taxi, 16+ team, or just plain deep roster league, sure he’s definitely worth rostering as I think the future is bright. That future is probably 3 years out, though.

Agree. With Ben's re-finding his commitment after Rudolph was drafted *eyeroll* there is no reason to waste a roster spot for a few years. Too much can change in that time. Like Valhalla said, unless it's a deep SF/2QB league or you have a massive taxi, he's just a name to monitor over the coming years.

[Goddard]

Excellent taxi squad candidate. In superflex and 2qb, he should be rostered everywhere.

But there are a few of these guys every year, and the odds aren't very good he's ever fantasy relevant. Stash for cheap in leagues that have high QB values, is the bottom line.

I agree with this. The odds of him busting are probably higher than him ever becoming fantasy relevant, but seems like a nice stash in leagues where QBs are valued highly. I like him and am rooting for him, but also tempering my expectations.

[Jason3123]

Excellent taxi squad candidate. In superflex and 2qb, he should be rostered everywhere.

But there are a few of these guys every year, and the odds aren't very good he's ever fantasy relevant. Stash for cheap in leagues that have high QB values, is the bottom line.

I agree with this. The odds of him busting are probably higher than him ever becoming fantasy relevant, but seems like a nice stash in leagues where QBs are valued highly. I like him and am rooting for him, but also tempering my expectations.

Third..ed? Haha..if you have taxi squad pace absolutely roster worthy. If it's QB premium, and the rosters deep enough, also worthy. 1QB leagues, soft pass. Ben does seem to miss a couple games each season though, so there's a good chance we get to see him in some game action this year. Assuming he's QB2.

[Forza_Azzurri]

I took him at 4.02 after the top 5 QBs went much earlier than I expected ... given the team he is on, I don't see why he doesn't have every bit the chance as the others to be a good fantasy QB.

[Servo]

Rudolph was a good prospect coming into college and finished as a solid prospect coming out of OSU.

Will he get a legit shot to start if Ben hangs it up any time soon? Not sure, but you have to imagine the backup job is his' to lose...since Landry Jones is Landry Jones and the Josh Dobbs experiment looks finished after 1 year.

[playa_hata]

I wish i had him on my team (super flex) I think he could very well be one of those guys who gets a shot due to injury and looks so good that its hard to take him out... that being said this is a very specific instance but just a gut feeling.

[BeeziBad]

Landry Jones was the future at one point. As was Dobbs. Grain of salt here.

[ArrylT]

Landry Jones was the future at one point. As was Dobbs. Grain of salt here.

True but Jones was a Day 3 selection in a weak QB class. EJ Manuel was the only 1st rounder in 2013 - and I'm pretty sure the buzz was that the Bills overdrafted him (out of need?)

Dobbs still has a chance to be the future if he can beat out Rudolph for the backup role (but obviously the Steelers wouldnt have taken Rudolph in the 3rd if they thought he would be readily beaten out by Dobbs).

[BeeziBad]

Landry Jones was the future at one point. As was Dobbs. Grain of salt here.

True but Jones was a Day 3 selection in a weak QB class. EJ Manuel was the only 1st rounder in 2013 - and I'm pretty sure the buzz was that the Bills overdrafted him (out of need?)

Dobbs still has a chance to be the future if he can beat out Rudolph for the backup role (but obviously the Steelers wouldnt have taken Rudolph in the 3rd if they thought he would be readily beaten out by Dobbs).

Good point about Jones. as a steelers fan, i never liked Jones until i saw Dobbs play(awful). Hopefully third times a charm. or, just bring back charlie batch. top 5 back up all time

[ericanadian]

I don't see a lot of hope for Rudolph. Big Ben changed his tune on retirement immediately after Haley was fired. I don't think that was coincidence and makes me question whether he was ever seriously considering retirement or if he was just angling to get Haley fired.

Even beyond that, I don't see Rudolph as a long term option. Smallish hands, weakish arm and he'll be taking over an offense built around Big Ben even if he gets a shot. The best you can hope for is that he has one great game coming off the bench and retirement rumors start up again.

[ArrylT]

I think hand size for QBs is becoming like 40 times for RBs. It can be part of the picture, but is not a guarantee of success or failure. If you have 2 similar prospects and one has bigger hand size, and want to use that as a tie-breaker by all means. I just dont see hand size as a make or break decision.