Sam Bradford: Who Will Draft Him?

Since I followed Sam Bradford's career at Oklahoma and that he's entering this April's NFL Draft, I'm going to list which teams would be willing to draft him. This is taken into account that no trades or roster moves that haven't been made yet before the NFL Draft takes place. This is based on a team when given the opportunity to take him, and they do it.

*****-They'll take him
****-Strong possibility
***-If he's the best available
**-Doubtful
*-Won't waste their pick

Arizona Cardinals
Arizona has Kurt Warner, who is still productive at the position. But he turns 39 in June, and the confidence in Matt Leinart has worn very thin. Brian St. Pierre isn't the long-term answer to replace Warner when he goes. If the team thinks they can win with Warner for another two years, and Leinart can't succeed him, they may gamble on Bradford in the draft. ***-If he's the best available

Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are very happy with Matt Ryan and what he's done in only two seasons in the league. Chris Redman has had some success in his career as a backup. John Parker Wilson is the third quarterback, and is a rookie this year. Bradford would have to be a backup for this team, and I don't see Atlanta drafting him for that reason. *-Won't waste their pick

Baltimore Ravens
Joe Flacco is the future for the Ravens, and has gotten better in only his third year in the league. Troy Smith has played admirably when called upon. John Beck has played for Miami as a starter, but was traded. Like Atlanta, the Ravens have their future secured here with Flacco unless they think Bradford is only going to be a career backup. *-Won't waste their pick

Buffalo Bills
The Bills are a young team, but patience is wearing thin for them to get back to their glory days of the early 90s. Trent Edwards has played well at times, but has been inconsistent in his career. Ryan Fitzpatrick has experience, but he's not the long-time answer. Depending on if there is a coaching change, this could set them up to take a quarterback for the future. ***-If he's the best available

Carolina Panthers
Jake Delhomme has had a forgettable season in 2009, and the turnovers have had Carolina fans calling for his head at quarterback. Matt Moore has played in some games for Carolina, and A.J. Feeley is far from being the long-time answer. The coaching staff is on the hot seat for Carolina, so it's not out of the realm to see them take a player like Bradford in the upcoming draft. If Bradford is still projected high, the Panthers won't be able to get him because of not having a first round pick unless a trade is made. *****-They'll take him(if he falls to them)

Chicago Bears
The Bears traded their first round picks in 2009 and 2010 to land Jay Cutler from Denver. The team is high on Caleb Hanie as the backup despite the lack of experience. Cutler just signed a contract extension through 2013, and the Bears can fill other needs in the draft and free agency since they finally feel they have the quarterback of the future here. *-Won't waste their pick

Cincinnati Bengals
Carson Palmer has come back from an injury-plagued 2008 season, and has the team playing very competitive this year. J.T. O'Sullivan has experience as a backup, but was traded away from San Francisco for a reason. However, it's doubtful to think they'll draft Bradford to back up Palmer. **-Doubtful

Cleveland Browns
The Browns offense is a mess, and it all starts because of the ineffective play from the quarterback position. Patience is running thin, and off the field issues haven't helped them either. Derek Anderson has fallen off since signing an extension, and Brady Quinn has yet to grab the position he was drafted for in Cleveland. This is a team on the verge of starting over again, and Bradford could be a fit for them if that happens. ****-Strong possibility

Dallas Cowboys
Though it wouldn't be a very far drive for Bradford to come to Dallas, I don't see it happening with the play of Tony Romo as of late. Jon Kitna is solid backup, and has had some success in the league. Dallas is a team built to win now, so I don't see them taking Bradford at this point. **-Doubtful

Denver Broncos
Many questions loomed in Denver at the quarterback position after trading Jay Cutler away to Chicago. Kyle Orton came over in the trade, and has managed the offense well. Chris Simms hasn't played much since 2006, and is the backup. Unless they feel Orton is only stop gap for the offense, the team could draft Bradford to develop him for starting at the position in his 2-3 year. ***-If he's the best available

Detroit Lions
Even though he has been hurt, Matthew Stafford's upside is undeniable. He was the team's No. 1 overall choice, and this is where many think Bradford would have ended up had he come out last year. Daunte Culpepper has had success in the league, and is still a good backup. The quarterback position is secured in the eyes of the Lions, so Bradford won't be taken here. *-Won't waste their pick

Green Bay Packers
The Packers have Aaron Rodgers, and he's the future of the franchise. Matt Flynn has only played a few snaps, but he does have talent. The quarterback position is young in Denver, and I don't see the point in adding another rookie to the mix unless Bradford's stock slips dramatically. *-Won't waste their pick

Houston Texans
Houston is an improving team, and Matt Schaub's play is one reason after the kind of year he's had so far. Dan Orlovsky has experience though he was traded from Detroit in the off-season. Rex Grossman is too inconsistent, but has experience in games at the NFL level. With this team on the way up, I don't see Bradford going here. *-Won't waste their pick

Indianapolis Colts
Everyone knows that the Colts have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and will go down as one of the best ever when he's done in Peyton Manning. Jim Sorgi is a career backup, and Curtis Painter was a late round pick with virtually no experience having not played in any games. Manning will turn 34 in March, and he's still got plenty left. That said, the Colts could draft Bradford and have him learn from Manning until he retires if he's available. ***-If he's the best available

Jacksonville Jaguars
David Garrard manages the game well, but the team still wants to see more improvement from him. Luke McNown has game experience, but is a backup for a reason. The team has other needs especially on the offensive line, and the team isn't in a rebuilding mode at this point. **-Doubtful

Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs acquired Matt Cassel from New England to be their starting quarterback, and he has played well despite the poor record. Brodie Croyle has some experience as the backup. The team is still in transition, and I don't think Bradford goes to the Chiefs. *-Won't waste their pick

Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are a running team, and Chad Henne has managed the game well for them as well as give way to the wildcat offense. The team drafted Pat White for the wildcat offense and be the backup quarterback. I don't see Bill Parcells and the Dolphins drafting another quarterback in 2010. *-Won't waste their pick

Minnesota Vikings
Brett Favre was brought in this year as the missing piece for the Vikings to make the Super Bowl. So far, it has worked well. That doesn't say much for Tarvaris Jackson, who was the starter last year in the opener. Sage Rosenfels is a solid backup, but is far from being the future of the team. Even Favre can't play forever, and the possibility of drafting Bradford makes sense if they plan on starting him by 2011. Besides, pairing him up with another Oklahoma Sooners legend in Adrian Peterson sounds tempting to me. *****-They'll take him(if available)

New England Patriots
Tom Brady is definitely back after season-ending knee surgery a year ago. He'll go down as one of the best ever when he's done. He'll be 33 next August, and it's clear he has plenty of football left. Brian Hoyer has only played a few snaps in the NFL as the current backup. The Patriots are still a win now franchise, and developing another quarterback behind Brady maybe worth the gamble. ***-If he's the best available

New Orleans Saints
Jeez, do you think New Orleans is happy with Drew Brees? They've got a perfect record through Week 8, and he's thrown 16 touchdown passes so far. Mark Brunell is still in the league as the backup. Chase Daniel is a rookie that went undrafted. The Saints offense is very explosive, and Brees will still only be 31 in January. If they do get another quarterback, it will be an experienced one. *-Won't waste their pick

New York Giants
Ironically, the person that many compare Bradford to is Giants starter Eli Manning. Manning manages the game well, but does have spells where he turns the ball over too much like right now. David Carr was to be the future quarterback in Houston, but has played the role of a journey man backup since he parted ways from Houston. The Giants are still a very good football team, and I don't see them drafting Bradford. **-Doubtful

New York Jets
Mark Sanchez has had ups and downs, but growing pains are to be expected for the rookie in 2009. He's still their quarterback of the future with Kellen Clemens backing him with some experience. The Jets are back on the rise, and there's no need for another quarterback to develop here. *-Won't waste their pick

Oakland Raiders
The Raiders have been a mess for a few years now, and JaMarcus Russell hasn't saved the franchise since being their top pick in 2006. Bruce Gradkowski has some experience, but isn't the long-term answer. Many problems exist in the Raiders organization, and it's probably best if Bradford weren't selected by them anyway. It's hard to know what the Raiders will do in 2010 like it is with them every year. ***-If he's the best available

Philadelphia Eagles
Let's see. Donovan McNabb is still playing at a Pro Bowl level. The Eagles still move the ball with Kevin Kolb as the backup. They have Michael Vick, too. Enough said. *-Won't waste their pick

Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger has been a part of two Super Bowl wins, and won't turn 28 until March. Charlie Batch has filled in well as an experienced backup when asked. Dennis Dixon is the third string quarterback with athletic ability. The Steelers aren't in a position to develop another quarterback right now. *-Won't waste their pick

San Diego Chargers
Philip Rivers has had another great year at quarterback despite the Chargers problem in the running game. Billy Volek manages the game well as the backup. The Chargers problem isn't with the quarterback and I don't see them drafting one in 2010 either. **-Doubtful

San Francisco 49ers
Alex Smith is finally showing signs of being a good NFL quarterback with his play in the last couple of weeks. Shaun Hill has plenty of experience, and has played well at times. If Smith continues to improve in 2010, then the organization will be confident to keep him the starter which lessens the need to take a quarterback like Bradford. If he falters, then it could happen. **-Doubtful(for now)

Seattle Seahawks
Matt Hasselbeck has played well when he has actually played. Seneca Wallace has played well as the backup, but isn't the long-term answer in Seattle. Mike Teel is the rookie third stringer that hasn't seen action except in pre-season. With Hasselbeck not being able to stay healthy, the possibility of drafting a quarterback like Bradford exists. ***-If he's the best available

St. Louis Rams
Marc Bulger's play is seriously declining, and Kyle Boller couldn't be the future of the Ravens when he was drafted by them. Keith Null is the third string quarterback that hasn't played but in the preseason. The Rams will have a high first round pick, and Bradford may possibly land there. However, should he be available in the second round, they'll take him then. *****-They'll take him

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay is rebuilding, and Josh Freeman was drafted to be their future quarterback. He's set to start this week against Green Bay. Josh Johnson fumbled the ball seven times and had eight interceptions in his time as starter. Byron Leftwich has experience, but has been declining as a quarterback. With Freeman as the starter of the future, the team has other pressing needs on draft day. *-Won't waste their pick

Tennessee Titans
Vince Young has finally taken back the quarterback position as starter, and played a very manageable game this past weekend against Jacksonville. He won't wow you with his arm as much as he will with his legs. Kerry Collins is at the tail end of a respectable career as the backup now. The team does need to address other areas, and see if Young is the player they thought he would be when they drafted him 2006. ***-If he's the best available

Washington Redskins
This has been a year where nothing much has gone right for the Redskins. From the demotions to ineffective offense, the Redskins faithful have run out of patience in the nation's capital. Jason Campbell has been very inconsistent, and has fumbled the ball eight times, losing three, while throwing seven interceptions so far. Todd Collins is an experienced backup, but isn't the answer Washington needs. Being that the team is likely to see many changes in the offseason as it stands now, a new quarterback being drafted may happen. ****-Strong possibility

The teams I have taken him are who I think will likely draft a quarterback and not necessarily Bradford. It's hard to say where he goes because of his recent surgery to repair his throwing shoulder. However, I do think he has a shot to be a solid quarterback at the next level even if it isn't right away.

The teams that likely will take him by my predictions: Panthers, Vikings, Rams

Oh by the way, Bradford turns 22 on Sunday.