One way or another, Sam Bradford is going to be the first pick in Thursday night’s NFL draft. Whether it’s the Rams, or another team trading up to number one to get him, Bradford will go number one.

Bradford probably would have been the top pick of the Lions last year, too. They wound up taking Matthew Stafford, but many observers rated Bradford ahead of Stafford then, and still do.

This despite injuring his shoulder and having season ending surgery early last season in his junior year. It seems that since players started leaving college early…or in the case of the NBA, foregoing college altogether…an argument for them leaving has been “what if he gets injured?”

Isn’t that argument out the window now? Bradford would have been number one last year, he got injured, and he’s STILL going to be the top pick.

Unless a player faces financial hardship, there is NO reason to come out early any more. If you stay in school, you’re going to mature and be a better fundamental player entering the professional ranks. If you get hurt, the pros understand that with medical science these days, you’ll return to 100%. If you perform in workouts in sweats, you’ll still maintain your status.

Just ask Sam Bradford.

One way or another, Sam Bradford is going to be the first pick in Thursday night’s NFL draft. Whether it’s the Rams, or another team trading up to number one to get him, Bradford will go number one.

Bradford probably would have been the top pick of the Lions last year, too. They wound up taking Matthew Stafford, but many observers rated Bradford ahead of Stafford then, and still do.

This despite injuring his shoulder and having season ending surgery early last season in his junior year. It seems that since players started leaving college early…or in the case of the NBA, foregoing college altogether…an argument for them leaving has been “what if he gets injured?”

Isn’t that argument out the window now? Bradford would have been number one last year, he got injured, and he’s STILL going to be the top pick.

Unless a player faces financial hardship, there is NO reason to come out early any more. If you stay in school, you’re going to mature and be a better fundamental player entering the professional ranks. If you get hurt, the pros understand that with medical science these days, you’ll return to 100%. If you perform in workouts in sweats, you’ll still maintain your status.

Just ask Sam Bradford.