There was a lot of speculation leading up to the 2018 draft, many believed Pittsburgh would do their best to fill the void at linebacker left behind by Ryan Shazier. To everyone's surprise, the Steelers didn't take an inside linebacker with their first round pick or with any of their picks for that matter. Another big time rumor was that Pittsburgh would draft some quarterback depth with their first round pick, this would also not be the case.
However, in the third round, with the 76th overall pick the Pittsburgh Steelers selected the quarterback that many believed they could possibly take in the first round. With that pick, Pittsburgh selected Mason Rudolph, who racked up impressive school records in his time at Oklahoma State, including single-season passing yard (4,904), career passing yards (13,618), and career touchdown passes (92). Rudolph averaged 8.9 yards per throw and carried a 92 to 26 touchdown/interception ratio, and his 13, 618 career passing yards put him 11th most all-time amongst the major college football ranks.
The Steelers trade up to secure Big Ben's future successor, QB Mason Rudolph. No draft-eligible QB had more deep passing yards & TDs in 2017! pic.twitter.com/4QhJYDAH8P
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 28, 2018
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this selection is the fact that Rudolph will get time to develop behind one of the league's best quarterbacks in Ben Roethlisberger. Most quarterbacks drafted in the first few rounds were taken to start immediately with their respective teams.
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert spoke very highly of Rudolph, stating "He was with the group of the top quarterbacks. That was really a good position. That's very unique to the draft. It usually doesn't come through with a nice group like that."
Colbert continued to say, "We haven't had that much depth at the top of the draft at [quarterback] in a long time, Mason was certainly a part of that group in our opinion."
Big Ben’s successor?
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 28, 2018
Steelers select QB Mason Rudolph with the No. 76 pick pic.twitter.com/FQHcbWOlgP
Oh and not to mention, Pittsburgh also drafted Rudolph's college teammate James Washington, so in due time they can continue to things like this...
Mason Rudolph to James Washington highlights for all you Steelers fans ???? pic.twitter.com/ghJRd8M6bh
— 360°FantasyFootball (@360FFB) April 28, 2018
