A case for Sam Bradford going first overall

Ndamukong Suh may not be the lock everyone thought as the No. 1 overall pick. In just about every mock draft, the monstrous defensive tackle is given to the Rams without second thought.

Maybe it’s time to think again.

Instead, think Sam Bradford. The former Oklahoma quarterback may be coming off major shoulder surgery, but he’s ahead of schedule. Bradford likely won’t throw at the combine, but he should be ready to go by Oklahoma’s pro day, which has yet to be scheduled.

“We all know what the key on Bradford will be. We’re anxious to see him at the combine in about three weeks,” Rams general manager Billy Devaney told reporters last week. “It will be interesting to see where he is physically. I don’t know what his rehab consists of right now, if he is throwing the ball, what his plans are. We need to find that out. But I think the guy is a great player.”

Consider Bradford’s history: He’s an accurate thrower with elite decision making skills and a quick release He also has good enough athleticism, comes from a spread and is known as a good leader. There’s also that nagging shoulder issue.

But close your eyes a moment and think of all those attributes. If Drew Brees didn’t come to mind, maybe he should have. In a copycat league, drafting a similar player to this year’s Super Bowl MVP makes sense.

Perhaps that’s enough for Devaney to finally take that quarterback that he’s passed on several times.

The Rams passed on Mark Sanchez in last year’s draft. They were said to be very interested in Sanchez, just not with the second overall pick. Sanchez’s Jets made the playoffs.

Maybe more infamously, the team didn’t take Matt Ryan in 2008. The team had just given Marc Bulger a massive contract which it is now trying to restructure. Ryan’s Falcons made the playoffs.

It may be somewhat unlikely the Rams will be contending for a playoff spot in the coming season. But taking a quarterback this year would allow him to ease into the starting spot. It will also give head coach Steve Spagnuolo another season to work over the team’s defense while the team adds more talent.

Given the great depth at defensive tackle this year, maybe Spagnuolo can coach a player up to Suh’s level. At some point, though, St. Louis has to add a top young signal caller and taking the next Drew Brees sure sounds good.