The top quarterbacks went flying off the board in record time during the NFL Draft as four went in the first 10 picks and five in the first round overall. But as far as the Pittsburgh Steelers were concerned, their eventual third-round pick, Mason Rudolph, was right there among the other top QB prospects who went much earlier.

“He was with the group of the top quarterbacks,” Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said, via PennLive.com. “That was a really good position. That's very unique to the draft. It usually doesn't come through with a nice group like that.”

Rudolph had a terrific college career at Oklahoma State as he broke several school records during his three years as a starter. But with concerns about his mobility and mechanics, he wasn’t widely considered among the draft’s elite QB prospects, which included Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson.

Related NewsArticle continues below
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) is shown as he warms up,
Jets’ Garrett Wilson sends ‘Jet for life’ message amid contract negotiations
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson (R) speaks during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall.
Bears’ Ben Johnson drops mic on Tush Push drama
New York Jets head coach Jeff Ulbrich looks on against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium.
Jeff Ulbrich felt ‘great support’ from Falcons after Shedeur Sanders prank call

The Steelers were apparently one of the exceptions who saw Rudolph in a much more favorable light. They must have been pleased that they were able to land a prospect which they rated so highly all the way down in the third round.

Even with those question marks to his game, Rudolph will get the luxury to sit and develop his game behind Ben Roethlisberger for the next year or two. And if he can develop into the type of quarterback the Steelers envision him to be, he could very well be the one they turn to in order to fill the big shoes of “Big Ben” once he finally decides to call it quits.