 NCAA Scouting – Player Profile:
Sam Bradford – Quarterback – Oklahoma
by Chris Brophy
14/1/2010
Sam Bradford
Quarterback
Oklahoma
6-4, 223
Born 8th November 1987
Junior
Strengths: Excellent decision maker, he does a superb job of reading the field pre-snap and deciding which receiver offers him the best option before he starts the play. Hes a quick learner who processes information quickly. His accuracy is outstanding and is in part a result of his excellent decision making. He hits receivers in stride and can get to his next read if the first guy isnt open. His athleticism is good and he can throw on the move although prefers to plant his feet but he does have a little bit of elusiveness when he runs. He can get defenders to bite on pump fakes and help his receiver get open and his throws possess nice touch. He has shown an ability to deal with the blitz and not let his foot work fall apart on the rare occasions he saw pressure.
 Weaknesses: You could pick on a few small things and I will, but the two obvious and biggest concerns are his ability to stay healthy as well as his recovery from injury and how much he benefitted from a superb supporting cast around him. He is on the recovery from shoulder surgery and has to show that he is going to be good to go for camp. At Oklahoma he rarely seen pressure and had a superb running game and offensive line to fall back on – can he cope without as much help in the pros? After that, he has to show the ability to do more reading of defenses during the play rather than just pre-snap. His mechanics are also a little uncanny; he looks like he is pushing the ball and pro coaches may want to adjust that.
Where I think hell be drafted: If Bradford shows he is recovered from his surgery and tests well he has a good shot at been the overall #1 pick although he could yet slip behind Jimmy Clausen. I suspect his reputation doesnt desert him and the Rams take him number one overall.
Where I think he should be drafted: I would rate Clausen slightly ahead of him at present so that means hed be my second Quarterback off the board which would likely be to Washington where rumours have been floated of Mike Shanahan been a fan. Anything outside of that would be a shock.
Summary: Bradford has been on the NFL radar ever since he came in as a Redshirt freshman and broke all kinds of freshman NCAA records. His sophomore season was even better and he could have come out then and been considered for the #1 overall pick. He has shown ability to be a fine leader, a play maker and a quality decision maker. If he can add the post-snap abilities to read a defense to his rsum that he already possesses pre-snap then the Peyton Manning comparisons will come thick and fast. Thats a high bar to set for anyone but Bradford had an excellent college career that could have been one of the greatest careers ever if not for injury. Bradford is part of the Cherokee Nation and can trace his roots back to his paternal great-great grandmother he is the first ever native American to win the Heisman Trophy. Overall, Bradford has the star quality the NFL craves but until he shows he can overcome the durability issues, that question mark still enters any discussion about this kid. .
|
