NFL Draft: Vikings fill biggest need with Garrett Bradbury
The NFL Draft has produced several twists and turns, but the Minnesota Vikings made the obvious selection, drafting center Garrett Bradbury.
Protecting the quarterback wins games. The Minnesota Vikings know that better than most after wading through one of the most disastrous seasons at that position in a long time. Pro Football Focus handed out poor grades to every offensive lineman that took the field for the Vikings last season.
Enter Garrett Bradbury. The center from NC State should take over for Minnesota immediately and he provides added insurance. He has position flexibility and can slide to either guard position in a pinch. Pairing Bradbury with another lineman later in the draft could be enough to turn a deficit into a strength, something quarterback Kirk Cousins in a great position for a bounce-back season.
Bradbury had risen up draft boards since the end of the 2018 season. Initially considered a potential Day 2 pick, Bradbury was in the mix to be the first offensive lineman off the board. The Vikings getting him at pick at No. 18 overall is great value, especially when paired with the desperate need for reinforcements on the offensive line in Minnesota.
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This was the last gap on the Minnesota offense. They have a franchise quarterback, a young running back and two All-Pro caliber wide receivers. There isn’t much more this team could have done in the first round. Even with a higher pick, Bradbury would have been the optimal selection for this team. There were a lot of good grades and good picks on Day 1 of the NFL Draft but this one tops them all.