2010 NFL Draft: What if the St. Louis Rams Don't Select Sam Bradford First?

As we get closer to April 22, the various mock drafts are ablaze with predictions. At this point, most experts have put quarterback Sam Bradford as the first overall pick.

However, what if the Rams don't choose Bradford? It is an intriguing question and one that deserves some attention. If that is the case, here are a few scenarios that could play out.

Suh goes first, McCoy waits to hear his name in the second

Bradford, while being the top prospect at his position, is still a risk at first overall. With strong names like Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow waiting in the second round, the Rams could choose to take a lower-risk player with the first pick.

McCoy's draft value has increased steadily and it is a good possibility that he goes off the board in the second round. If the Rams decide to take top prospect defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh with the first overall choice, it will drastically alter the draft landscape.

But first, it will alter the Rams. They will have a proven defensive player that seems primed for a great NFL career, with the work ethic needed to revive a defense that has a smattering of good players but can't seem to be a cohesive unit.

Then what do they do at quarterback? They go with the next best option, who may just be McCoy. He and Bradford are both proven winners. Heck, each one will bring his own publicity to the table and would bring some excitement to the squelched fan base. The overall risk on either isn't that far apart.

So how does the rest of the NFL respond?

They scramble.

Coaches, general managers, and owners will be all over the phone lines looking to trade up for Bradford while the Rams sit back, knowing that their draft strategy has solidified right before their eyes.

The Trade-Down

The Rams decide to trade away that first pick. Who would want it? Conventional wisdom two weeks ago would have said the Redskins would go for it. However, their quarterback position has now been filled.

What about the Seahawks? They seemed committed to the Charlie Whitehurst experiment.

The Cleveland Browns? If Mike Holmgren likes Bradford enough, he may want to make a play for him in the draft. With three picks in the third round, the Browns may have the ammunition to bargain for the top slot without losing out on the draft overall.

Both the Bills and the Jaguars need a long-term solution at quarterback. If neither goes after Jason Campbell, they could be eager to slide up and take the top-ranked QB.

What happens to Jimmy Clausen? Chances are he plummets. Not out of the first round, but at least out of the top-15.

This would give the Rams more picks in a deep draft and puts them in position to possibly acquire Suh if he slides or to sweep whatever top-tier talent comes their way.

Acquiring Jason Campbell

He's not exactly the type of quarterback you imagine in St. Louis, but if the Rams decide to deal away a fourth round selection for the Redskins' scraps, it will be a whole new ball game.

Suh goes first again in this scenario. But who goes in the second round?

The need for a new quarterback is temporarily averted and can wait for Tony Pike or Dan LeFevour in the mid-rounds, leaving the Rams in a pretty position to shore up their defense or add stronger receiving options to a meager group.

It's impossible to say what will happen in the draft. It's still likely that the Rams grab their franchise quarterback at the beginning of the draft and proceed in predictable fashion through the rest. But what if they don't? Crazier things have happened and maybe that first pick contains too much pressure to be done right.

I know I'll be watching on April 22 and waiting for the excitement.