The Minnesota Vikings made the safe selection and chose center Garrett Bradbury out of North Carolina State with the 18th overall pick.

Here’s what we compiled in Garrett Bradbury’s player profile within the Zone Coverage Draft Guide.

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Garrett Bradbury might be the best center in the draft. He certainly was in the country in 2018, winning the Rimington Trophy, which went to current Viking Pat Elflein two years ago before he was drafted by the Vikings in the third round. Bradbury also has experience at left and right guard, where he spent several seasons before transitioning to center. His interior flexibility makes him an asset, and as a former tight end in high school, his athleticism would make him effective in a zone scheme.

Bradbury ran the third-best 40 and top 3-cone drill at the combine amongst linemen. He also had the second-best bench press. He has a lot of reps under his belt already as he nears age 24, but he proved durable as a three-year starter for North Carolina State.

Size

6-3, 306 pounds

Combine notables

40-yard dash: 4.92 seconds (3^rd at position)
Bench: 34 reps (2^nd at position)
Vertical: 31 inches
Broad jump: 104 inches
3-cone drill: 7.41 seconds (1^st at position)

What the analysts say

“Bradbury’s body control, core strength, movement skills and intelligence check very important boxes for teams looking for immediate center help. His pass-pro tape against Clemson proves he can hold his own against a variety of pass-rush flavors while his strength and athleticism make him scheme flexible. He is a candidate to become an early and long-time starter in the league.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“Garrett Bradbury projects as a potential starting center in a zone rushing offense. Bradbury will have his hands full in looks that require him to handle interior defenders on his own due to a soft anchor, but in reps as a help blocker in pass protection and against even fronts he can be much more effective. Bradbury showcases excellent lateral range as a blocker and will be a scheme specific prospect whose success will be reliant on being put in favorable situations.” – Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network

What PFF says

-23^rd in run-blocking success
-Bottom 50 percent in pass-blocking efficiency

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CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE
ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE

TOP 40 PLAYERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEEDS & TARGETS
POSITIONAL TOP 5 RANKINGS & VIDEO BREAKDOWNS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
INMAN: NFC NORTH WORST CASE DRAFT SCENARIOS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL (PODCASTS, VIDEOS, ARTICLES)
INMAN’S MOCK DRAFT COLLECTION

Sam Ekstrom

Sam Ekstrom is an executive producer and host at Locked On Sports Minnesota. He's previously covered the Vikings for 105 The Ticket, Zone Coverage, Purple Insider, and the Associated Press. He grew up in Vermillion, S.D. rooting for the USD Coyotes (not SDSU) and graduated from Dordt (not "dork") University in Sioux Center, Iowa.

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