Tag: Garrett Bradbury

Where does Vikings’ 2019 rookie class rank?

Garrett Bradbury was disappointing, but three other players on the offensive side of the ball were impressive.

With the 2019 NFL season over (besides that one really important game), we know how each team’s 2019 draft class played out.

The folks over at Pro Football Focus ranked every team’s draft class and the Vikings ranked right in the middle of the pack at 15.

Here’s a snippet of what PFF writer Ben Linsey wrote about the Vikings:

Though first-round pick Garrett Bradbury had a rough rookie season — he was constantly beaten by pass-rushers foaming at the mouth to get an opportunity against him — the rest of the Vikings’ class had some bright spots. Their next two selections — tight end Irv Smith Jr. and running back Alexander Mattison — both appeared capable of being starting-caliber players on a good offense.

To recap:

  • Garrett Bradbury: Not as good as everyone thought he would be.
  • Alexander Mattison and Irv Smith Jr.: Probably a very bright future.
  • Bisi Johnson: Looked like a steal in the seventh round.

You would have liked to see more rookies step up, but Bradbury will improve in season No. 2, and both Mattison and Smith Jr. looked to have big roles with this team for years to come.

Vikings’ free-agency watch: Center

The Vikings will rely on first-round pick Garrett Bradbury to take a big step forward in 2020.

Under contract:

After an up-and-down rookie season, 2019 first-round pick Garrett Bradbury is back for his second season.

He’ll almost certainly improve, and the Vikings need him to.

While there is no other player under contract at center, it’s worth noting that guard Pat Elflein can play center (where he played in college and in his first two seasons) if something were to happen to Bradbury.

Free-agent(s):

Brett Jones, who missed a big chunk of last season with a knee injury, will be a free agent after two years with the team. Jones made nearly $700,000 last season.

Don’t be shocked if the Vikings sign a player who can play both center and guard, similar to Jones, this offseason for cheap.

Cap casualty?

Nobody.

Vikings show they desperately need help on the offensive line

Minnesota’s front five didn’t give Dalvin Cook any room to run and didn’t give Kirk Cousins any time to pass.

After Saturday’s Vikings loss to the 49ers, it was pretty obvious San Francisco was the better team.

It was also extremely obvious that the Vikings need help on the offensive line, and bad.

Minnesota’s front five didn’t give Dalvin Cook any room to run and didn’t give Kirk Cousins any time to pass.

How will the Vikings fix this concern?

There are some young pieces there that should naturally improve. Right tackle Brian O’Neill is solid and the team could maybe, one day, think about moving him to left tackle.

The question mark with the young players, however, is inside. Rookie Garrett Bradbury had a rough season at center  and was far from the “safe” pick he was made out to be when the Vikings drafted him in the first round.

The guard to his left, Pat Elflein, wasn’t much better in his third season and you have to wonder if the team will bring in competition for Elflein this offseason. In three seasons in the the league, Elflein has been a below-average player.

Right guard Josh Kline was fine in his first season and is under contract for just $4.75 next season.

Left tackle Riley Reiff was also fine, but took a step back from last season. Reiff is due $11 million next season and it would be a huge surprise if the Vikings didn’t restructure his contract or let him walk for a $4.4 million penalty.

I would expect the Vikings to address the offensive line early in the draft and through free agency however they can. Fine isn’t good enough for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. It’s been a problem for this team and while it has been able to push it aside some, it was fully exposed against the 49ers. And while not every team (or any team) has a defensive line like the 49ers, that’s where the bar is at in the NFC right now.

Garrett Bradbury doesn’t have a great PFF grade in rookie season

Bradbury ranks 30th among centers in 2019.

When the Vikings drafted center Garrett Bradbury with the 18th overall pick, it was thought to be a can’t-miss pick.

And while it’s too early to really know what type of player Bradbury will be, his Pro Football Focus grade as a rookie isn’t great. His mark of 57 ranks 25th among first-round picks and 30th among 37 graded centers.

Here’s what PFF wrote about Bradbury:

Bradbury has keyed the Vikings run game at times over the course of the season. He’s been a great fit in their zone heavy attack. The rookie has also, unfortunately, derailed their passing attack at times. He’ll be seeing Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark in his nightmares, as he allowed 11 of his 26 pressures this season in two games against the division rival.

Minnesota’s offensive line has improved from last season, and part of that credit does go to Bradbury and his success in the run game (Bradbury has a 60.9 grade on running plays), but he’s been downright miserable in pass protection and that was on display last week against the Packers.

While we don’t know who the Vikings will play in the wild card round yet, we do know that the defensive line will probably focus on exploiting Bradbury’s weaknesses.