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Why The Rams Should Draft Sam Bradford

By Dalton Del Don

I understand the “take best player available” theory, I really do. It’s just that I disagree with it in St. Louis’ case this year. Now, before I continue, my argument assumes Bradford’s shoulder has been fully cleared by Dr. James Andrews and will soon be 100 percent. But if so, I really don’t see an argument the other way here. I mean, it’s simple: quarterback is the single most important position in all of sports. And it’s not even close.

Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy certainly look like sure things, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true. I mean, McCoy only put up 225 lbs 23 times! And the leaning opinion right now has him slightly above Suh, who had more than a third of his sacks last year come in one game. But in all seriousness, I’m not here to criticize either defensive tackle. Each look nearly certain to have bright careers in the pros. But so what? Let’s say one becomes the greatest DT in the history of the NFL – I’d still rather a top-12 current QB in the league than that. There’s a reason the franchise tag for defensive tackles right now is $7,003,000 (only tight end, safety and kickers are lower) compared to quarterbacks’ $16,405,000. I guess ideally St. Louis would be drafting third this year, so they would spend a little less and wouldn’t be worried about being criticized for “reaching,” but is that any better than making a player yet to take a snap in the league the highest paid defensive tackle in the NFL?

I actually don’t watch much college football and have no opinion of Bradford. I’m totally agnostic. However, if there’s a chance he can truly be a franchise quarterback, which clearly seems to be the case (since this is such a crapshoot, the end result is actually beside the point I’m trying to make), then the Rams’ decision is easy. After all, either defensive tackle could be a bust too, or even if they turn out to be a very solid, maybe even Pro Bowl caliber talent, that still doesn’t change the fact St. Louis will be a below average football team until the QB position is upgraded by a wide margin. Maybe that’s possible through free agency (pretty rare), but this is a team that hasn’t drafted a QB in round one since 1967 – and it shows, as there might not be a franchise with a worse outlook at the NFL’s most important position.

The Rams should draft Bradford and not even think twice about it.

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13 responses to “Why The Rams Should Draft Sam Bradford”

  1. Keith Avatar
    Keith

    The biggest problem is what you have to pay top picks. In reality, having the top pick is far more likely to hurt you than help you. It’s mind-blowing that a DT who has never played a down in the NFL would instantly become the highest paid at his position. It’s absurd. I really want a team with a high pick to just to skip it’s turn and wait 10-15 picks or so to make its selection, which is actually allowed. Heck, I think there was a study that showed 2nd/3rd round picks were more valuable because you pay sooooo much less for what’s typically still solid performance.

    I do think your philosophy is sound though.

    Never question Rickey. Rickey knows what Rickey’s talkin’ about.

  2. ian Avatar
    ian

    Jimmy the Sea Otter Clausen will be better than Bradford. Just sayin.

  3. Alvin Robertson Avatar
    Alvin Robertson

    Last time the Rams had a first round pick they took Orlando Pace all that they got from that was 2 Super Bowl appearances. They had Kurt Warner step up and like Romo came out of nowhere. Name one superstar qb drated in the Top Ten outside of Manning. QB is way too much of a gamble to take with first overall pick. Suh played NT in a 3-4 d at Nebraska, so his lack of sacks are no disconcerting. The reason franchisng a NT is so cheap bcause the top ones keep getting franchised and not getting longterm deals.

  4. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Keith – Exactly. Having an early pick can set your franchise back for years if you get it wrong, it’s a very bizarre system they have set up right now. The first 16 picks of a given draft cost more money total than the rest of the picks COMBINED. Which goes sevens rounds deep, mind you. Please comprehend that.

  5. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    ian – You may very well be right. My point here wasn’t even about Bradford. It was about a franchise quarterback. Clausen could easily end up being better – and if the Rams think so, they should make him the #1 overall pick.

  6. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Alvin Robertson – Well, you’re comparing a left tackle to a D tackle here, and there’s a difference. A stud LT like Pace is obviously huge, but the bigger reason for those Rams Super Bowl appearances was Warner. And yes, Warner and Romo weren’t drafted, but you are talking about two of the biggest out-of-nowhere stories in the history of professional sports! That’s the exception, not the rule. Outliers. QB is a gamble, but so are defensive tackles. And all other positions. Maybe they are slightly more risky since it’s very, very tough to evaluate that position (physical measures mean far less than mental, which simply can’t really be judged until the bullets start flying at the NFL level).

    Philip Rivers is the only superstar QB drafted inside the top-10, but Big Ben was pick #11. And Aaron Rodgers was a first round pick (and the 49ers strongly considered him with the #1 overall pick that year. Instead electing to go with Alex Smith). Eli Manning was the #1 overall pick – and while it may have taken a bit longer to reach true star status (although he did win a Super Bowl and has a tougher time putting up gaudy stats playing in N.Y.), he just finished a season with a 7.9 YPA mark and 27 TDs while playing with a significant injury and three raw wide receivers.

    Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco are both on the cusp of stardom and were taken in the first round. Donovan McNabb went 2nd overall. The jury remains out on Mark Sanchez, M. Stafford and Jay Cutler – but there are clearly signs of future success there too. Drew Brees was the first pick of the second round.

    Clearly, this is a position where pedigree matters.

  7. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Also, to be clear, this is hardly an ideal situation for the Rams. In a perfect world, the position of need would be slotted where the team picks in the draft. This one here seems to be a reach if only b/c of the existence of Suh and McCoy.

  8. ian Avatar
    ian

    I hear ya. This is a good year for QB’s, despite what some “experts” say. In terms of pedigree, Clausen has it. He is a brat, but so are Cutler and Rivers.

    That being said, Suh is a beast and will be an impact player for a decade.

    Bradford scares me a little bit. It’s not just the injury, but I’m not sure he can adapt to the NFL game as quickly has his salary will dictate. Clausen comes from a REAL pro-style offense, plus has been preparing for this since pop-warner. If he plays for Shanahan, he’ll make the Redskins a contender in the near future.

    For fantasy purpose, C.J. Spiller will do work next year. Wouldn’t shock me to see San Diego move up to take him.

  9. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    I want the 49ers to take Spiller. Would be far from ideal as a fantasy player, but SF needs a playmaker both on offense and special teams, and Gore needs someone to take some of the load off. I am really high on Spiller. If the 49ers don’t get him with one of their two first round picks, they should take Dexter McCluster in round 2.

  10. Alvin Robertson Avatar
    Alvin Robertson

    I am sure if you ask any GM who runs a 3-4 Defense I bet he would say that the hardest position to fill would be NT (outside of QB), so I believe the comparison to LT is more apt than you may think. On to my main opinion.
    I always thought QB was a far riskier proposition, but since you mentioned that it may only be a slightly more risky position, I decided to look it up. I studied the last 10 drafts and came up with some pretty remarkable findings. First was that the top QB taken never ended up being the top QB in the draft which is a pretty big sample since nearly all startings qbs were taken in this time (outside of McNabb Manning and Favre-2nd Rd). Second of every QB taken in the top 15 none of them have been All Pros (I figured this was the most accurate way to judge top talent since Pro-Bowls often have 4th and 5th choices playing). From the years 2000-2007 just a shade under 23% of the top 15 picks, who were not QB’s ended up being All-Pros. While not a staggering amount, I was still quite surprised. Not to mention in one draft two QB’s who were taken in the 6th round managed to both become All-Pros with one winning 3 SB’s. Also another undrafted FA made it to a Super Bowl in the last 10 years, and yet another undrafted FA, Matt Moore started the last few games and played very well having an 8:2 TD:INT rate and a qb rating of 98.5. So I do not think it is as unheard of as you think.
    You correctly mention the excellent draft, of 2004, from which Manning, Rivers, and Big Ben came from, but you failed to mention the 90th pick from the 3rd round. If I was a GM starting a team from scratch I would certainly rather have him (though you could pick Rivers and I would not argue much).
    Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco both probably started before they should have due to Vick and Smith. But this is the case with many QB success stories, they are thrust into the spotlight early and do not disgrace themselves. But Chad Heene, drafted in the second round of that year, may prove to be better than both.
    Finally, you state that Drew Brees was drafted with the first pick in the second round. This is my point exactly, the Rams have the first pick of the second round! Successful QB’s can be found in the second or 3rd rounds. You are far more likely to get a great player if you do not take a QB in the top 15. I think they should definately target a QB in the 2nd or 3rd round (I would take Dan LeFevour who could probably be grabbed in the 3rd or 4th).

    PS I have only been following your blog for a few months but the football and baseball stuff is great, but where is the b-ball love??

    PPS I like Suh better than McCoy, but you do realize Warren Sapp put up 225 only 17 times right??

  11. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    I was just out the door heading out of town until Tuesday, but this is good stuff. I’ll respond when I get back. Great research. Who was the 90th pick you are talking about?

    Ya, I need to write more about hoops.

  12. Alvin Robertson Avatar
    Alvin Robertson

    Matt Schaub

  13. Madhur Avatar
    Madhur

    Maybe so, but it’s about comparative talnet at positions. I think Adam Carriker is light-years better at playing DT than Keith Null is at playing QB. I realize Clausen’s record isn’t amazing, but neither was his defense. It’s not exactly a one person game. I would say his passer stats are more compelling (3722 yds/28TD/4INT/68% comp) than his win/loss record. Colt McCoy has the worst arm in this draft. Sorry, he’s going to be a bust.@Desean: Yeah well, there may not be any can’t miss QB’s in this draft, but I guarantee you either Bradford or Clausen are better than Keith Null/Kyle Boller. I would take Trent Dilfer over either of those clowns. You have to keep your fanbase at least hopeful and you won’t do that with a DT. You have to go QB because the NFL is a passing league and you should show at least an attempt at making your team better at it. Ignoring your offense is hardly a recipe for success.

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