Rookie Spin on Sam Bradford
Posted on 15. Jul, 2010 by Bryan Fontaine in Columns, Draft Strategy
In one of our weekly features, we will be joining forces with Fantasy Football Spin to highlight the top rookie from each team in the NFL.
After passing on Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez the past two seasons, the Rams finally selected Sam Bradford to be their franchise quarterback with the first overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft.
Sam Bradford won the Heisman Trophy in his sophomore season at Oklahoma, becoming only the second sophomore to win the award (Tim Tebow, 2007). Sam Bradford missed the majority of his junior season with two shoulder injuries, but he decided to declare for the draft as a underclassman after bypassing the 2009 NFL Draft. Sam Bradford’s college statistics are eye-popping: 67.87% completion percentage, 88 touchdowns, and only 16 interceptions thrown.
There has not been a first overall in selection in recent memory that missed most of the college season like Bradford did. The Rams felt comfortable with the injury reports on Bradford and made him their first quarterback selected in the first round since 1964. Bradford has all the tools to become a franchise quarterback: arm strength, accuracy, intelligence (36 on his Wonderlic test), and leadership ability.
Sam Bradford will be in direct competition with A.J. Feeley for the starting quarterback job this season. It is hard to imagine that Bradford will not win the job outright in preseason, with Feeley serving as the veteran mentor. Bradford is going to struggle as a rookie with a poor supporting cast and a rebuilding offensive line. He could be useful in a spot start, but do not expect to count on Bradford on a weekly basis this season for your fantasy football team.
In dynasty leagues, Sam Bradford has much more value and should be a first round selection in all rookie drafts. In fact, we believe that Bradford has top-10 upside in the near future. The shoulder injuries in college are a minor concern, but Bradford is a strong leader, has pin-point accuracy, intelligent, and will play on a team that will have to pass a lot to stay in games. The Rams will need to continue to surround Bradford with offensive weapons and they desperately need a No. 1 wide receiver.
Bradford has Peyton Manning-type upside at the quarterback position with a floor of a Eli Manning, so draft accordingly in your keeper and dynasty leagues.
Related posts:
Subscription Options:
