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2018 NFL Draft QB stock report – Week 6: What’s wrong with Sam Darnold?

By Conor Dorney

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins passes as Dante Wigley #4 of the Colorado Buffaloes defends during the first half of a game at the Rose Bowl on September 30, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins passes as Dante Wigley #4 of the Colorado Buffaloes defends during the first half of a game at the Rose Bowl on September 30, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TX – SEPTEMBER 30: Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks to pass while under pressure from Nick McCann #98 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half of the game on September 30, 2017, at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX – SEPTEMBER 30: Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks to pass while under pressure from Nick McCann #98 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half of the game on September 30, 2017, at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
5

Mason Rudolph

QB, Oklahoma State

A week after an underwhelming performance at home against No. 16 TCU, Rudolph led Oklahoma State to a narrow 41-34 victory on the road against Texas Tech. Rudolph finished the day 27 for 38 for 376 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Rudolph also added two touchdowns on the ground, helping the Cowboys avoid their second consecutive loss.

I like the anticipation that Rudolph throws with on routes over the middle, especially when he’s able to step into his throw and drive the ball to fit it in a tight window. Oklahoma State possesses one of the best and most explosive skill position units in college football and it’s clear Rudolph trusts his receivers to make plays even when they don’t necessarily have much separation. He also does a good job at improvising when the pocket breaks down and at 6’5″, 230 pounds, he’s a load for any defender to try and bring down for a sack.

Rudolph’s lone interception was returned 97 yards for a touchdown on what was a badly-thrown out route that sailed over the head of its intended receiver and into the arms of a Texas Tech defender. One of the biggest concerns I have with Rudolph, something that he routinely struggled with in this game, is his accuracy and ball placement on throws to the numbers. Rudolph routinely misses high on these types of outside throws and just flat out doesn’t seem to have the vision or anticipation that he does in the middle of the field. It was the inaccuracy on this type of route that led to the pick-six for the Red Raiders and if Rudolph is going to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, he’ll need to prove that he can improve in this area.

He routinely misses high on these types of outside throws and just flat-out doesn’t seem to have the vision or anticipation that he does in the middle of the field. It was the inaccuracy on this type of route that led to the pick-six for the Red Raiders and if Rudolph is going to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, he’ll need to prove that he can improve in this area.

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