I think you have a great idea here. I just don't think that many people really want to put in the work it would take to complete the task at hand. If I had more time on my hands I'd love to participate in these threads. I could give some general predictions on the guys and I'm sure just about anyone could. I think people are looking for more out of threads like this though. At any rate, here's my general thoughts on the guys above.
Bradford - It would take a small miracle for St. L to not start Bradford this year. All signs point to him going through a similar time line onto the field as that of Matt Stafford from last year. Unfortunately for Sam, his team is almost just as bad as Det was last year and IMO he isn't nearly as NFL ready as Stafford was. None the less, Bradford will be thrown into the fire this season and I would envision him struggling heavily. St. L simply isn't a good enough team right now to protect a rookie QB who is learning on the fly.
Some positives:
-Sam has great mobility and this should help him fend off the storm a little in 2010.
-He has one of the best RBs in the NFL lining up behind him and St. L will be able to run the offense through Jackson early in Bradford's career.
-Bradford is an accurate passer who has strong natural tools.
Some negatives:
-St. L has a young Oline that would have to rank in the bottom 10 of the NFL right now. Mistakes up front could cost Bradford.
-Outside of Jackson, the cupboard is pretty dry as far as playmakers go. Avery is a decent deep threat but his game needs a lot of polishing to become a go to guy for Bradford. Gilyard, who St. L drafted in the 3rd round, is the next most appealing option on this roster and it's hard to see that as a good thing right now.
-Transition to an NFL style offense. Bradford had it pretty easy while playing at Oklahoma and he didn't play in a system that really translates to the NFL very well. He will have to put in the necessary time and work to make the transition.
-Probably the largest cirtisism of Bradford as a prospect is that he really wasn't pressured. The ridiculous talent in Oklahoma allowed for a Ken Dorsey like life behind center. He will face lots of pressure this year in St. L.
The more I look at the situation Bradford landed in the more I'm liking it. I've been a pretty strong deterrent of his heading into the draft but that is only because I think he was a bit overrated as a prospect. He has great physical tools and is an accurate passer. Ideally you'd like to see a bit more arm strength but he can still make all the throws adequately. He is deceivingly athletic and will prove to be more mobile than most expect early in his career IMO. I hope this doesn't become a crutch he relies upon due to early struggles in St. L though. What I like most about Bradford as I look forward is that I think St. L has the potential makings of a very strong Oline in years to come. Jason Smith is a budding star and St. L grabbed Saffold at pick 33 to replace the struggling Alex Barron. I could easily see Smith/Saffold teaming to make a great book end combination for many years. I think Bradford will end up being an average starter in 5 years. If things really break right and he gets some great playmakers around him, an above average starter. I don't see him as becoming a star or Pro Bowl caliber player. Bradford's development (like almost any QBs) is going to greatly hinge on how he handles this year and next IMO. He will face adversity he never encountered in his collage career and that is what scares me most about him. Really it's a guessing game as to how he will react to it.
Bottom line:
Expect a lot of early struggles with Bradford. 2010 will be a discouraging year. If he can survive the storm however I think there is an optimistic future for him as a starter in the NFL.
See, this has taken me so long that I'm not even going to bother with the other 2 guys right now. I had to rush finishing this one up because the wife is screaming that "it's time to go!"
