Probably the most asked question I get about the Steelers' depth chart for 2019 that doesn't involve starters is, "What will happen between Mason Rudolph and Josh Dobbs?"
Today we're here to break down what advantages both quarterbacks have in this upcoming camp battle, beginning Thursday, and what they have to do to earn the No. 2 spot:
Dale Lolley previewed this camp battle last month, and Hunter Homistek revisited the issue with his question on who Ben Roethlisberger might favor. But today I'm focusing specifically on what they've shown on the practice field, in games, and where they need to go from here.
The challenger in this matchup is Rudolph, a second-year quarterback from Oklahoma State who Kevin Colbert felt was a steal in the third round. Rudolph has the upside of a confident pocket passer who can process defenses and know where to go before the snap. Last year, I wrote all about his strength and weaknesses coming out of the draft.
But last training camp and preseason just had Rudolph getting settled in as an NFL quarterback. He has the arm to make throws into tight windows and flashes the patience and understanding of his offense with some tough throws.
Watch his 24-yard laser on a seam to Tevin Jones in the preseason. He sees the safeties back off at the last second and recognizes the cushion between the linebackers and safeties in the Panthers' Cover 2 zone:
But what you also see in this play is the problem I had pegged with Rudolph since college — his confidence often relies on sticking to his primary read. In the NFL, that won't always work. And when defenses start taking away your first and second options, you need to rotate through your reads and command the play with confidence.
When he gets into those situations, you see more of his overthrows and passes he puts too much touch on, leading to big defensive plays.
Dobbs' charisma and his penchant for challenging the big moment have always caught my eye. He was the perfect quarterback selection for the Steelers in 2016, coming in as a cheap fifth-rounder in a year they needed a new, young arm on the depth chart. Dobbs doesn't have the same issues as Rudolph, but he does need to show better command of the offense.
Dobbs almost gets a little too amped up in the big moments and can lean on his legs too much to get him out of trouble. That's why Mike Tomlin grilled him last camp about winning with his head and his arm during situational drills. That helped, as Dobbs made a huge conversion for the Steelers in a tight pinch against the Ravens.
Dobbs came out of play action and looked to his first read to the right but eventually came back to JuJu Smith-Schuster on a deep crossing route. Despite being under a little pressure, Dobbs put the ball in a place only Smith-Schuster could catch it and dug the Steelers out of a deep hole at a big moment of the game:
Instead of a battle of arms, this quarterback competition will be a race to reads. Tomlin is going to pick which quarterback has better command of the playbook on the field and can make the proper adjustments, both before and after the snap.
Rudolph holds the edge in pre-snap adjustments because he often sees the base reads available. But Dobbs is a player who thrives in adjusting after the snap and figuring defenses out by beating them with his legs and his arm. Both are big and strong quarterbacks with powerful arms who can whip the ball when necessary.
Rudolph holds the edge in accuracy, especially when he's not under pressure. Dobbs holds a slight edge in experience, is better on the move and doesn't shy away from tough spots. Both quarterbacks will be throwing everything they have into this camp to prove who should be right behind Roethlisberger.
My money is on Rudolph taking the spot, but if he doesn't, it won't be because he didn't take advantage of an opportunity. I'm higher on Dobbs' abilities and command of this offense than most, so if he holds on as the No. 2 quarterback, it will be on his own merits, not on Rudolph's faults.
Obviously, this is one of those situations were Tomlin would say, "It's a good problem to have."
MORE CARTER’S CLASSROOM
July 23: Allen has something to prove
July 22: Conner, backs focus on ball security
July 19: Tomlin’s challenge woes, Part 5
July 18: Tomlin’s challenge woes, Part 4
