I usually play Ahri mid but have been having problems climbing in ranked (I've actually lost rank). I would probably call myself an average bronze player in terms of skill. My two main questions are: 1) Is Vlad easier to play than Ahri? and 2) What are easy champs for relatively new players to utilize in bronze?
nope, horrible.
Completely your choice, in my opinion. Play a bunch of normal games, see who you're better at, play them.
Good against certain picks like Zed. Not very against most mages.
eh. i prefer him top.
Vlad is better as a top laner because he fills the role of Tank better and is also EXTREMELY safe against melee opponents. He has basically free sustain and a free moveable zhonyas that gives him wave clear.
He's definetly a bronze cheese machine. Other good picks to dominate that Elo are Mordekaiser, Blitzcrank, Katarina, Shaco, and any other champion that requires next-level skill to counterplay. ex. focused CC, "buying-wards", etc.
Against certain matchups yest, but keep in mind he's not as bursty as some mid laners, hence why he's played top more than mid. Whether or not he's easier than Ahri is dependent on how good you are at landing skill shots. If you're bad at landing skill shots than obviously vlad is easier.
i don't think vlad is good for bronze in general, but if you are good with vlad, most bronze don't know how to counter him. however many bronze also dont know how to play him
i think good mids for bronze include 
vlad is extremely easy great late game scaling champ and is pretty good at farming despite having weak autos once u get past early game u have so much damage very easy champ to play imo try him and if u like play him just know not a great choice if ur team has no cc since vlad relies on cc teamfights to get his ult on as many people as he can if can go flash/ghost on him to get better ults in teamfights
