How Would Steelers’ Mason Rudolph Rank In The 2025 Draft Class? 1 Offensive Coordinator Answers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most intriguing and watched franchises in the league as the 2025 NFL Draft draws nearer. Only a few teams in the league still need their starting quarterback for 2025, and the Steelers are one of them -- unless they are satisfied with running Mason Rudolph under center for a 17 games. Between Rudolph, Aaron Rodgers, and all of the rookies entering the draft, none of Pittsburgh's options blow anyone away. The Steelers may select a quarterback with their 21st overall pick, but who they take may just barely be a better option than Rudolph. 

The Steelers took a look at many quarterback prospects this offseason The splashier prospects who met with the Steelers ahead of the draft include Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, and Tyler Shough. Had it not been such a considerably weak quarterback class, none of these players would be considered first-round talent. Pittsburgh also did their due diligence by meeting with some of the passers that will likely fall in the later rounds, like Will Howard, Kyle McCord, Quinn Ewers, and Cam Miller.  

It quickly became a trending topic of discussion about the strong possibility that Sanders would fall to the Steelers at the 21st spot in the first round. Sanders was initially expected to be taken either second or third overall, but neither the Cleveland Browns or New York Giants have shown significant interest in doing so. 

None of these quarterbacks are guaranteed to be successful in the NFL, which is why it might be smart for the Steelers to wait until 2026 to take a swing on a rookie. On Wednesday, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler released some of his thoughts on the draft, and how Rudolph lines up with some of the top quarterback prospects.

"I asked an NFL offensive coordinator where Steelers' quarterback Mason Rudolph would rank in this draft class, had he been coming out with the rest of the group," Fowler wrote. "The coordinator placed him third."

This quote becomes very unsettling to those who want their franchise to select a quarterback in this year's draft. Rudolph being placed third only puts him behind Sanders and Cam Ward. That means that this anonymous NFL coordinator would take Rudolph over guys like Dart and Milroe, who both could have the interest of Pittsburgh. It's going to be tough for the Steelers to grab a top five quarterback prospect, anyway if they don't get back a second-rounder. That is especially true if the Steelers attack defensive line at pick 21. 

While it may be best for the franchise to wait another year to take a swing on a rookie quarterback, the Steelers have to plan as if Rodgers doesn't end up signing with them. Because of that, it seems very likely that the Steelers select a quarterback, especially after the way Omar Khan recently spoke of the group.

Steelers' Mason Rudolph Will Likely Start Week 1 As Of Right Now

After Rodgers made his first national appearance in months recently on The Pat McAfee Show, Steelers fans now feel that it is less likely he joins the Black and Gold. If Pittsburgh does in fact take a quarterback, regardless of where in the draft, the Steelers won't be throwing them out there to start instantly. The Steelers tend to be patient with their rookies, and that especially makes sense for a quarterback. Kenny Pickett waited a month until he got his first career start his rookie season, despite the argument that could be made that he should have waited even longer. 

The Steelers smartly brought back Rudolph early in free agency. His 2023 run later in the year gave Pittsburgh all of the confidence they needed to believe he could come in for 2025 to be a reliable option. 

What do you think of the 2025 quarterback class? Where would you put Rudolph in that list? Let us know in the comments below.

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