Bradford Now Locked at One, But McNabb Leaves Other QBs' Fates Uncertain

In case you were holding out to the possibility that the Rams might be struck by a flash of genius, just know those days have passed.

By releasing starting quarterback Marc Bulger, the Rams have officially signaled their intent to draft Sam Bradford as the number one overall player in the 2010 NFL draft.

Don't be surprised when contract negotiations begin in the near future.

There are some, including myself, who feel that this move isn't the best for the Rams franchise.  They had multiple, private workout sessions scheduled with former Texas quarterback (and quick draft board riser) Colt McCoy, but now those will simply be a formality.

The correct draft strategy here was to take Gerald McCoy, the far more coach-able and athletic of the two super-powered defensive linemen at the top of everyone's draft boards, as a safe number one pick.

Then with the first pick in the second round, they could grab Colt McCoy; he will certainly be there now that the Redskins are out of the quarterback hunt.

It really seems that Colt was a better fit for the Rams offense.  He is a scrambling quarterback who would have less trouble behind their weak offensive line and likely play a greater compliment to Steven Jackson, who will continue to be the Rams showpiece player.

His average arm strength isn't much of an issue for that team because they don't have anyone for him to pass to anyway.  I can't name two receivers currently on the Rams.

I agree that it was financially worthwhile to let Bulger go (the Rams saved $8.5 million with the move) but unless you have ultimate confidence in AJ Feely, you now have to draft a guy who can start immediately (for sure).  That only leaves Bradford.

I don't think he is a good fit for the Rams because he will not have receiving weapons and he plays relatively poorly when behind a below average offensive line (the difference between the 2008 and 2009 Bradford was night and day, and the major change was the O-line).

There is no doubt that Sam has the potential to eventually be a top-5 quarterback in the NFL, but only if he is surrounded by the right personnel.  I don't see the Rams having that.

The new question in the draft following the removal of the Redskins from the quarterback market (by way of Donovan McNabb) is where do the other quarterbacks fall?

Clausen is definitely out of the top-5 (Even though Kansas City has his former coach), and the first possible suitor is Seattle.  Pete Carroll is likely familiar with Clausen's abilities having played against him the past couple of years, but with Hasselbeck and Whitehurst, does Seattle really have room?

I'd say no.

Cleveland has room but I'm not sure the Browns want to take a chance on another, maybe he's good maybe he isn't quarterback from Notre Dame.  Not that high in the draft at least.  Especially after Holmgren's comments about "I wish I liked him more..."

Oakland could draft him but it would likely make way too much sense.  I think Oakland is going to do something crazy like take Taylor Mays or that OT from Maryland who is really athletic but can't block at number eight.

Buffalo and Jacksonville are then the most likely landing spots, or someone who really likes Clausen could trade up for him, but I just don't see it.

Since Clausen's fate is so unclear, its impossible to predict where Colt and Tebow will end up (I personally think Tebow, if he is going to ever be an NFL quarterback, would be the perfect post-Favre fit in Minnesota).

Uncertainty will mark this NFL draft for everyone except for Sam Bradford, whose immense talent and physical improvement can do little to counteract the writing on the wall for him in St. Louis.