Rookie center Garrett Bradbury already impressing the Vikings
By Adam Patrick
Selected in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, the rookie Minnesota Vikings center has looked impressive during the team’s offseason practices.
Heading into this year’s NFL Draft, the top priority for the Minnesota Vikings was to add players who could help improve an offensive line that struggled in 2018.
So with their very first selection, the Vikings went ahead and drafted former North Carolina State center Garrett Bradbury. Minnesota did what was necessary with their first pick and Bradbury has the potential to be a staple on the team’s offensive line for more than a handful of years.
So far, the rookie center has been impressing some of his new teammates with his performances during the Vikings’ offseason practices.
Minnesota tight end Kyle Rudolph is one of Bradbury’s new teammates who has liked what he has already seen from the rookie this year.
"“Garrett’s come in and he’s a phenomenal young guy. He’s really, really intelligent. But he’s a great athlete and he fits our scheme perfectly. Going up against guys like Linval Joseph is a pretty good barometer of how you’ll match up in this league and he’s more than held his own.”"
Rudolph’s recent comments certainly seem like a good sign for the future of the Vikings’ offensive line. Honestly though, it shouldn’t be too hard for the Minnesota unit to play better than what the disappointing group from 2018 was able to do.
In addition to Bradbury joining the roster, the Vikings also have a new offensive line coach in Rick Dennison. He brings a track record of building successful offensive lines and Minnesota hopes he can do the same for them in 2019.
Extra effort has definitely been put in by the Vikings this year to improve this struggling position group. Will these moves pay off? Time will tell, but at least it seems like Minnesota’s current offensive line has a good chance to be a successful unit during the upcoming season.