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NFL teams used to view rookie quarterbacks as long-term investments. But in recent years, making the right draft choice with a college quarterback has become a way for pro teams to get rich quickly.
Sam Bradford, the first pick in this year's NFL draft, hasn't been slowly nurtured by the St. Louis Rams. Instead, the Rams threw Mr. Bradford into the fire on day one—and he's rewarded them by placing the team in playoff contention. If the Rams beat Seattle on Sunday, Mr. Bradford will join Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Baltimore's Joe Flacco as the third rookie quarterback in NFL history to start all 16 games and get to the playoffs, according to Stats Inc. The Rams could become the seventh team to make the playoffs while starting a rookie at quarterback for more than 10 games; five of the previous six have come since 2004.
The 2010 season has been particularly busy for rookie quarterbacks, with seven starting at least one game, the most in a non-strike season since 1986. Minnesota's Joe Webb will become this year's eighth rookie starter on Tuesday if he plays in place of Brett Favre.
One reason for the increase in playing time for young quarterbacks like Mr. Bradford is that salaries for highly drafted players have skyrocketed, and NFL teams want an immediate return on their expensive investments. For the Rams, who were a league-worst 1-15 in 2009, a postseason berth in 2010 would make Mr. Bradford seem like a $50 million bargain.
—Michael David Smith
Youth Movement
If Sam Bradford leads the Rams to victory Sunday, he'll join this group of first-year quarterbacks who have started 10 or more games for a playoff team.
QB-TEAM-YEAR STARTS
1 Joe Flacco, Ravens, 2008 16
2 Matt Ryan, Falcons, 2008 16
3 Mark Sanchez, Jets, 2009 15
4 Kyle Orton, Bears, 2005 15
5 Dieter Brock, Rams, 1985 15
6 Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers, 2004 13
7 Bernie Kosar, Browns, 1985 10
8 John Elway, Broncos, 1983 10
Maybe We Can Now Trust Rookie QBs - WSJ.com
Sam Bradford, the first pick in this year's NFL draft, hasn't been slowly nurtured by the St. Louis Rams. Instead, the Rams threw Mr. Bradford into the fire on day one—and he's rewarded them by placing the team in playoff contention. If the Rams beat Seattle on Sunday, Mr. Bradford will join Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Baltimore's Joe Flacco as the third rookie quarterback in NFL history to start all 16 games and get to the playoffs, according to Stats Inc. The Rams could become the seventh team to make the playoffs while starting a rookie at quarterback for more than 10 games; five of the previous six have come since 2004.
The 2010 season has been particularly busy for rookie quarterbacks, with seven starting at least one game, the most in a non-strike season since 1986. Minnesota's Joe Webb will become this year's eighth rookie starter on Tuesday if he plays in place of Brett Favre.
One reason for the increase in playing time for young quarterbacks like Mr. Bradford is that salaries for highly drafted players have skyrocketed, and NFL teams want an immediate return on their expensive investments. For the Rams, who were a league-worst 1-15 in 2009, a postseason berth in 2010 would make Mr. Bradford seem like a $50 million bargain.
—Michael David Smith
Youth Movement
If Sam Bradford leads the Rams to victory Sunday, he'll join this group of first-year quarterbacks who have started 10 or more games for a playoff team.
QB-TEAM-YEAR STARTS
1 Joe Flacco, Ravens, 2008 16
2 Matt Ryan, Falcons, 2008 16
3 Mark Sanchez, Jets, 2009 15
4 Kyle Orton, Bears, 2005 15
5 Dieter Brock, Rams, 1985 15
6 Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers, 2004 13
7 Bernie Kosar, Browns, 1985 10
8 John Elway, Broncos, 1983 10
Maybe We Can Now Trust Rookie QBs - WSJ.com
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