Schefter stated, “I would like to record something here, on February 24th.  Two months from the draft.  And tell you who the number one pick is gonna be right now… When all is said and done, that the Rams’ number one pick on April 22nd, two months from now, will be Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford.  I’m willing to take all bets on that one right now.”

He even continued that many people have told him there is no way the Rams will not select Sam Bradford. You can listen to all of Schefter’s comments here.

The move makes sense when you look at the big picture. While defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is looked at as the top prospect in this class, St. Louis has spent multiple first-round selections on their defensive line the past few years with guys like Adam Carriker and Chris Long.

There is also a financial angle to this selection. Would St. Louis want to tie up another record setting contract to a member of their defensive line or would they prefer to get a better bang for their buck and lock up the next star quarterback?

In a quarterback driven league, Bradford could be the guy to turn around the Rams misfortune. St. Louis has passed up the likes of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and Jets signal-caller Mark Sanchez the past two years and they cannot pass up another opportunity to snag up a potential franchise QB.

Of course, there are injury concerns surrounding Bradford and the fact that we have not seen him drop back and make big time throws when he was not protected by one of the nation’s best offensive lines. Still it appears that Bradford’s shoulder will clear medical evaluations and the Oklahoma product has accuracy that scouts drool over. After he gets to perform at his Pro Day, Bradford will likely be the talk of the town.

Schefter seems very confident in his statements and when you take a closer look at St. Louis’ needs the move makes sense. No matter what the talking heads on television tell you, the No. 1 overall pick will come down to Bradford and Suh. With the way that Schefter is going on record and the amount of information his sources are giving him, I would bet the house on Bradford being the top pick in April.

Up first is the quarterbacks:

1. Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame

Clausen has received high praise since he first entered Notre Dame. His first season for the Fighting Irish left a lot to be desired, but Clausen has since developed into one of the best pocket passers in the nation.

The Golden Domer needs to improve his short range accuracy — he often puts too much juice on the ball and receivers are forced to adjust. He throws a very nice mid-range ball with an excellent long ball.

Clausen has benefited from running a pro-style offense and the snaps under center have attributed to his footwork, which may be the best out of any QB this draft has to offer.

Many question his leadership, however, his teammates will often speak very high of Clausen’s control of the huddle.

There is no question that Clausen is the premier quarterback in this class.

Grade: Top 10 pick

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2. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma

Bradford could have been a top five pick if he entered the 2009 draft. His decision to return to Oklahoma did more harm than good. We are still left with concerns of his toughness and ability to throw under pressure. Bradford also lacks elite arm strenghth.

What Bradford lacks in arm strength, he makes up for in accuracy. The former Heisman Trophy winner is the most accurate passer in the 2010 class.

While he has served a majority of his college career in the shotgun, Bradford does have some experience under center and that has resulted in more pro routes and progressions than the other quarterbacks in this draft.

His accuracy and quick release will land him in the first-round and he still has room to improve.

Grade: Top 25 pick

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3. Colt McCoy, Texas

McCoy has been one of college football’s biggest stars during his career at the University of Texas. Unfortunately, McCoy lacks the arm strength or size to be considered an elite NFL prospect. McCoy is an incredibly accurate passer and he has the leadership ability that many teams will appreciate. He is also an incredibly mobile quarterback.

Reports as recent as January 19th point to some scouts and general managers considering McCoy at the end of round one.

Whoever selects McCoy needs to realize that he will not be ready to contribute immediately. He will benefit from a year or two on the bench, and if the system is a good fit — West Coast Offense — McCoy could eventually mature into a star quarterback at the pro level.

Grade: 2nd round

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4. Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan

LeFevour is one of the best athletes at quarterback. LeFevour is in elite company when it comes to his college production. He became the second player in NCAA history to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards. He also joined Tim Tebow as the only player to pass for 20 touchdowns and score 20 on the ground.

Unlike Colt McCoy, LeFevour also brings the size that NFL scouts prefer. He is an excellent playmaker that brings the ability to extend a play and he does a good job at keeping his eyes down the field to find the open receiver.

LeFevour will need to improve his footwork from under center and he also needs to speed up his release.

Grade: late 2nd – early 3rd

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5. Tim Tebow, Florida

Perhaps the greatest college football player of all-time, Tim Tebow enters the draft process with the most questions about his ability to transfer into the pros.

You will never hear anyone doubt Tebow’s leadership, toughness, ability to win, and competitveness, however, he has some major flaws in his game that will raise questions about his NFL stock.

Tebow needs a lot of work under center and he needs a major overhaul when it comes to his release. Before he throws the ball, Tebow lowers it to his thigh pad and then winds up. This motion in the NFL will result in an unbelievable amount of interceptions.

The Gator star has also displayed questionable decision making during the Senior Bowl. Tebow would often struggle reading the pass coverages and either decide to dump the ball off or scramble. If he decides to run the way he did in college, Tebow could have a short NFL career.

Some team will take a risk on Tebow, but it is important to note he is nothing more than a situational role player and project quarterback at this point. He does throw a beautiful deep ball and could develop into a serviceable NFL qb, but if he will ever reach the stardom he had at Florida a team better be willing to completely change their offense.

Grade: 3rd round

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Honorable Mention: Tony Pike, Cincinnati

USF wideout Carlton Mitchell recently said that he planned on returning to school for his senior season, however — with recent developments including the firing of head coach Jim Leavitt — Mitchell has changed his mind.

ESPN is reporting:

South Florida wide receiver Carlton Mitchell will enter the next NFL draft, a person close to the player said Friday.

Mitchell, a 6-foot-4, 212 pound junior, had 40 catches for 706 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Mitchell will be an intriguing mid-round prospect with the size he brings. In his career at USF, Mitchell hauled in 105 receptions for 1,648 yards and 9 touchdowns.

The receiver joins teammate Jason Pierre-Paul as an early departure from South Florida.

Southern Cal junior running back Joe McKnight will forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the 2010 NFL Draft, according to ESPN’s Joe Schad.

“This was my first healthy season and I really don’t want to come back and risk injury,” said the junior tailback.

McKnight was held out of the team’s bowl game after being the center of a USC compliance investigation. Reports were circulating that McKnight received improper benefits from a business owner that included a SUV.

This season, the Trojans leading rusher ran for over 1,000 yards and added 8 touchdowns. Throughout his three-year career, McKnight totaled 2,213 yards and 13 touchdowns.

McKnight will likely here his name called in the second-round in the upcoming draft.

Earlier in the week, our Andrew Melnick posted that South Florida standout Jason Pierre-Paul was still undecided on his NFL future.

Now, thanks to TampaBay.com, we have learned that the first-round talented has decided to forgo his final year of college eligibility and enter the 2010 NFL Draft.

Pierre-Paul’s head coach, Jim Leavitt said, “I think it’s a decision you’ve got to make. I was encouraging him. He’s been a great kid, and it’s hard to look at a young man and tell him to stay.”

The first-team All-Big East defensive end is currently rated at No. 17 on the NFLMocks.com Big Board and his unlimited potential will land him in the first-round.

ESPN’s Joe Schad is reporting that Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Dominique Franks has decided to enter the 2010 NFL Draft.

“It’s what’s best,” Franks said. “I can shut down one side of the field and I study and work hard enough to know what’s coming.

“I’m going to start training today to get stronger and make sure all my techniques are great for the [NFL scouting] combine,” he said.

Franks is a big (6-foot-1, 196 pounds) corner who has consistently faced some of the nation’s top passing attacks as a part of the Big 12. He currently projects as a day one selection.

Jimmy Clausen played his final 10 games at Notre Dame with torn ligaments in his right big toe and has told ESPN.com that he will will undergo surgery Tuesday morning.

He is expected to be sidelined for two-to-three months, but intends to throw for pro scouts in early April. The operation will be performed by renowned foot specialist Mark Myerson in Baltimore.

The injury occured in a Sept. 19 game against Michigan State. Clausen was initially diagnosed with turf toe.

“I heard a pop,” Clausen said. “I thought I broke it.”

While the injury will hold Clausen out of the NFL Scouting Combine, a league executive says the injury could actually help Clausen’s draft stock.

“This will help him,” the executive says. “The fact that he played through that just shows his toughness and love [for] the game, and more importantly, his commitment to his teammates.”

Jimmy Clausen is currently rated the No. 1 quarterback on the NFL Mocks Big Board. Two teams that have shown serious interest in Clausen have been the St. Louis Rams and Washington Redskins. Both teams pick in the top six of the upcoming draft.

“I sat down with my family and the right choice for me is to pursue the next level,” Bowman said. “I’m proud of my accomplishments in college but it’s also a time to take care of my family.

“I have played for the best linebackers coach in the country. He’s taught me how to make plays. He’s taught me to have sound technique. I have been a part of a great tradition at Penn State. I missed a few games this season, but I feel I really finished the season strong.”

In two years as a starter at Penn State, Bowman totaled 199 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions, and seven sacks. The junior from District Heights, MD. will become the latest high profile defender to enter the NFL out of “Linebacker U.”

Bowman will be a first-round selection. His versatility and impeccable tackling technique will attract many teams in his direction. Of course, Bowman has also had a few off the field incidents so that may make some teams look away.

At 6′2″, 235 lbs., he has the size to play at the next level. Bowman is incredible against the run and the ability to drop back in pass coverage makes him a perfect fit at outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense.