Quarterback Sam Bradford was chosen by the St. Louis Rams with the first pick of the NFL draft Thursday, while the biggest reaction was brought about by the Denver Broncos selecting Tim Tebow. When the Broncos took the University of Florida quarterback Tebow with pick No. 25, it drew a mix of cheers and boos from the audience. Tebow was by far the most controversial selection Thursday. A winner for four years with the Gators, including two national championships and the 2007 Heisman Trophy for college football's best player, his unorthodox style and strange throwing motion made for widely divided opinions on him. Bradford joins a Rams team that was 1-15 last season and scored a league-low 175 points. The Rams cut incumbent quarterback Marc Bulger in the offseason. Selection No. 2 was defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to Detroit, followed by two of Bradford's former Oklahoma teammates: defensive tackle Gerald McCoy to Tampa Bay and offensive tackle Trent Williams to Washington. Safety Eric Berry, also a collegiate All-American, went fifth to Kansas City. He also has the potential to play cornerback. Seattle used pick No. 6 on offensive tackle Russell Okung. The Seahawks' perennial Pro Bowl blocker Walter Jones might retire. Cornerback Joe Haden was chosen by Cleveland at No. 7, followed by inside linebacker Rolando McClain to Oakland. Both were All-Americans last season.
