After finishing as a Heisman Trophy finalist and vaulting Clemson into national prominence, Deshaun Watson is deservedly the favorite to be the 2017 NFL draft's top quarterback prospect. But after Watson, there's far from a consensus next man up.
Washington State's Luke Falk and Miami (Florida)'s Brad Kaaya are expected to assume the spot as preseason quarterbacks worth getting excited about, but Oklahoma State's rising junior Mason Rudolph has my vote as the quarterback to get most excited about as a potentially still-developing first-round prospect.
Despite hailing from a screen and swing pass-heavy offense and not really getting a chance to let it fly downfield with as much regularity as prior top quarterbacks (yet), Rudolph's flashes of pocket navigation, developing downfield throw placement and confidence as a perimeter passer all give reason for excitement as a potential rising quarterback prospect worth getting to know.