No. 29: Carter Bradley, QB, South Alabama

First Round Mock’s William Yanish studied quarterback (QB) Carter Bradley and has this to say about the son of Colts’ defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.

There are a number of quarterbacks selected during the NFL Draft.

I have evaluated 28 of them for the 2024 draft class.

Let’s just say it has been a busy year.

However, the year will not be complete without number 29, which brings us to South Alabama QB Carter Bradley.

Some of those I have studied will be drafted.

A few have decided to return to school, though. Regardless, I would say that I have my bases covered.

The Brock Purdy (49ers’ QB) effect has been a thing for the last few years. I mean, who doesn’t want to get an elite QB with the last pick in the draft? Purdy, of course, was the last player chosen in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Coincidentally, the Reese’s Senior Bowl was a showcase and mechanism to catapult some lesser-known QBs onto NFL rosters over the last few years. Some have fallen into chunks of playing time.

• Seahawks (former Commanders) Sam Howell
• Patriots 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe
• Bears Tyson Bagent saw some starts with Chicago last year.

Carter Bradley is the latest name to surface at the Senior Bowl. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he is skimming the edge of prototypical NFL size.

Background

Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator (DC) Gus Bradley is his father. He is prominently known for his work with the Seattle Seahawk’s “Legion of Boom” defense from 2009-2012. He also played safety, and punter, and was a graduate assistant coach at North Dakota State, winning the Division II National Championship in 1984, 1987, and 1988.

This South Alabama QB was a three-star athlete coming out of high school in 2018. Toledo was his first stop, but playing time was hard to find, so a transfer was in order.

In his debut season (2022), at South Alabama, Bradley set school records in completions (275), passing yards (3,335), and touchdowns (28).

A knee injury hobbled him some last season.

However, the transfer gave him a glint of hope for this draft.

The Yanish Report

Long, tall, athletic build. Good rhythm and timing with solid lower-body mechanics. Climbs the pocket smoothly. Deceptive scrambler, but rarely runs. Would be capable in run-pass option (RPO) packages. Eyes are always downfield. Quicker, compact release. Can fling the pigskin. Decent accuracy. Adjusts velocity and touch, as needed. Thrives in the short-to-intermediate game. Implements his tight ends. Arm confidence, enough to force throws. Tunnel-vision at times. Some intangibles lurking. Good awareness. Keen decision-making. Jack-of-all TRAITS, elite in none. Leader. Extreme football IQ.

Bloodlines. Grit.

For the win:

Bradley has a shot.

I would not be surprised to see him latch on as a backup somewhere in the NFL. He has obvious connections ⎯an underrated part of the draft process.

He is athletic, smart, and tough enough to carve out a career at the next level. If he’s thrown in there with NFL-caliber talent, he will win some games.

Teams are looking to upgrade their QB rooms every year. Colts’ QB Anthony Richardson’s injury history could put him on his father’s radar in Indianapolis.

It’s something to watch.

My Big three questions

1. How will his play translate to the speed of the NFL?

2. Will NFL competition be too much for him to handle?

3. How is that knee feeling?

My 2024 NFL Draft Value: Fourth-Round

2022 Game film evidence (Jersey No. 2)

UCLA

Troy

Western Kentucky University

2023 Game film evidence (Jersey No. 2)

Tulane

James Madison

Southern Miss

William Yanish III is a lifelong football fan. He’s from the little town of Crawford, Colorado. Along the way, he’s lived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and Brookings, Oregon. Quarterback Joe Montana was his idol growing up. A little bit of CTE from life’s adventures killed his dreams as a football player. Now, he is an aspiring writer and Draft Analyst at FirstRoundMock.com. He’s a fanatic with a dream, which is coming true.