OU fourth-year junior quarterback Sam Bradford's NFL draft status has been a first-round roller coaster over the last year.

In 2009, Bradford would've battled former Georgia and current Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Stafford for the number-one overall pick in the NFL draft, but opted to stay for another year at OU.

Then Bradford's shoulder injury occurred in the season-opening loss to BYU.

And because of his injury, his health and durability became a major concern. Thus making Bradford's decision to return to OU for another year a huge mistake.

His stock significantly decreased, and ESPN's NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper even said Bradford could fall anywhere in the first round.

On top of that, Washington junior quarterback Jake Locker looked interested in stepping his feet into NFL water, and draftcountdown.com owner Scott Wright went as far as saying "Jake Locker would have been the slam-dunk pick for St. Louis but he decided against coming out after his junior season".

So with Locker opting to return to Washington, Bradford was competing against Notre Dame junior Jimmy Clausen, Florida senior Tim Tebow and Texas senior Colt McCoy for top quarterback status and the chances of being drafted top overall.

Clausen, currently ranked as the No. 1 QB by Wright, is the only quarterback that seemed like Bradford's competition.

Then in late March, word got out that the Rams received optimistic reports about Bradford's shoulder surgery, according to the Denver Post. The procedure was done by Dr. James Andrews, who also did repairs on Drew Brees' shoulder; however, reports stated Bradford's procedure was much less serious than Brees'.

Two days later at OU's Pro Day on March 29, Bradford seemed medically sound, completing 62 of 63 passes.

NFL.com writer Gil Brandt said the workout was "the best he's seen by an NFL prospect since Troy Aikman".

And on April 7, St. Louis Rams released two-time Pro Bowler and starting quarterback Marc Bulger. Although Rams GM Billy Devaney says "it's far from certain that the team will take a quarterback with the first pick of the draft", it doesn't take a genius to realize it's a smoke screen.

Everything has worked out for Bradford, and the NCAA's all-time passing efficiency leader has stepped right back into the position he was once in: a near lock for the number-one selection.

For realists like myself, and with the state of the economy, one must ask: Can the Rams afford to not take Bradford with the top spot?

Bradford's Not the Only Notable OU Prospect

Although Bradford will likely be the top overall selection, there are several other highly-touted OU players.

Scott Wright has four OU players ranked within the top-19 overall available: junior defensive tackle Gerald McCoy at two, senior offensive tackle Trent Williams at seven, Bradford at 10, and senior tight end Jermaine Gresham at 19.

In fact, there's a chance that three OU players are selected within the top-ten picks.

Wright has Bradford at one to the Rams, McCoy at two to the Detroit Lions and Williams at nine to the Buffalo Bills in his most recent mock draft.

McCoy is ranked in the top-two overall on every possible draft board. He was a three-year starter and totaled 33 tackles-for-loss and 14.5 sacks in that time. McCoy was the fourth-ranked overall prospect on rivals.com in 2006.

Williams was a three-year starter for OU, too. Great run and pass blocker, and he's versatile enough to play either offensive tackle slot.

Later in the first round Wright has Gresham going to the New England Patriots at 22.

Gresham tore ligaments in his right knee during the preseason and missed the entire 2009 season. Durability is a concern, but the questions stop there. Gresham totaled 66 receptions, 950 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2008 - his only year as a starter.

While junior quarterback Dominique Franks will likely not hear his name called on day one, he's projected to be taken in the second or third round.

Franks has average speed and size, and isn't a defensive back that records many interceptions. He was a two-year starter for OU, and was first team Big 12 in 2009.

Wright ranks senior running back Chris Brown as the number-15 running back overall. Brown had a huge season in 2008 when he recorded 1,220 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns.

Brown possesses good size, average hands and below-average speed.

Former standouts, senior defensive end Auston English and senior defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger have also entered the draft, but are likely to be drafted late rounds or go undrafted.

English hasn't had a highly productive year since 2007 when he recorded 13 tackles-for-loss and 9.5 sacks.

Granger only played one game last season, and hasn't had a sack since 2007, when he recorded a career high 3.5 sacks.

Lastly, senior outside linebacker Keenan Clayton, had his best season in 2008 when he recorded 84 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

Clayton is also considered to be a late round pick, or possibly undrafted.