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NFC West quarterback power rankings: Where does 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo rank?

By Peter Panacy

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – AUGUST 10: Sam Bradford #8 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on August 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – AUGUST 10: Sam Bradford #8 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on August 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

team. 32. . . . Sam Bradford. 4

Sam Bradford is a stopgap option for the Cardinals, who watched former quarterback Carson Palmer and head coach Bruce Arians both retire this offseason.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Despite drafting Josh Rosen at No. 10 overall in the NFL Draft, head coach Steve Wilks (h/t Sports Illustrated’s Chris Chavez) has indicated Bradford will be the starter for now.

If healthy, Bradford certainly can fall into one of the upper-echelon categories for quarterbacks. The only problem is he can’t stay healthy.

Over his eight-year career, Bradford has made it through a full 16-game season just twice — his rookie year in 2010 and two years later in 2012. Granted, he wasn’t always the beneficiary of a strong supporting cast or a solid head coach. But at this point in his career, it’s safe to say we know what kind of quarterback Bradford is; an oft-injured, sometimes-effective contributor capable of leading an offense when the conditions are right.

That might not be the case in 2018, as Arizona’s offensive line was ranked 31st in the NFL by Pro Football Focus a year ago. And it doesn’t figure to be much better this season.

Ironically, Bradford’s best year, statistically, came in 2016 when he was a member of the Minnesota Vikings, who also had a bad O-line that season. Despite being sacked a career-high 37 times that year, Bradford had a career-best 3,877 passing yards and led the NFL with a 71.6 completion percentage.

An anomaly or indication of things to come?

Outside of wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and running back David Johnson, the Cardinals lack true offensive playmakers. That’ll make Bradford’s efforts this year tough. And with Rosen looking over his shoulder, Bradford is the only QB on this list in real danger of losing his starting job this season.

Easy to place him at No. 4 on our list.