2010 NFL Off-Season Rumors and Reports (Week 3)

[GTripp0012]

I think, if Sam Bradford had gone to a much smaller school than Oklahoma, he would have been just as successful as a college, but I don't think he would be getting billed as a top pick. In fact, I don't think he'd be getting much scouting interest at all.

The two guys who his skill set most reminds me of both went undrafted: Jeff Garcia, and Tony Romo. Both of those guys were scouting "finds" by some of the best talent evaluating coaches ever (Walsh/Parcells respectively). I think a guy like Bradford having the career he did in the national spotlight puts him in uncharted waters.

So when trying to project Bradford, one of the questions I'm trying to answer (and probably failing) is whether or not this type of skill set can survive the environment of being the first overall pick. When you look at the other quarterbacks with the mobility/accuracy skill set with sack evasiveness and an underrated arm, none of them got on the field prior to age 26. Well, Bradford is going to be 22 next year and I'm guessing that if he gets picked in the top five, they're going to put him out there earlier in his career than Garcia or Romo.