Fansided

NFL power rankings: Starting quarterbacks from best to worst

By John Buhler

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) passes against the Chicago Bears in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) passes against the Chicago Bears in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sam Bradford

Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings

For at least another year, Sam Bradford will be the man under center in the Twin Cities for the Minnesota Vikings. The former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick by the then St. Louis Rams hasn’t lived up to lofty expectations in the NFL, but has had his moments over the years.

Eight days before the start of the 2016 NFL season, Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a horrid knee injury, putting his NFL career in jeopardy. Minnesota acted fast and traded for Bradford from the Philadelphia Eagles. By Week 2, Bradford was under center leading the Vikings to a .500 season.

In his first year in Minneapolis, Bradford completed 71.6 percent of his passes for 3,877 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. Statistically, that was Bradford’s best season in his seven-year career. Keep in mind that he did this behind an atrocious offensive line with little to no help at running back or receiver.

Can Bradford lead the Vikings to Super Bowl LII? Yes, he can and it would be really cool to see the Vikings play in their home stadium for a chance at the Lombardi Trophy. However, Bradford has been frail in his NFL career and has rarely elevated the overall offensive talent around him.

It will be hard for Bradford to play as efficiently as he did in 2016 again. The volume of his numbers can be better, but he has to make his teammates better in 2017. Having a strong defense backing him up could help Bradford lead the Vikings to multiple playoff wins should they qualify.

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