3 Vikings players who are lucky to be around in 2022
By Dean Jones
Garrett Bradbury – C
There remained some doubts about the future of Garrett Bradbury just before free agency. The Vikings had some significant sacrifices to make to comply with salary-cap regulations, which meant the North Carolina State product was one potential casualty the team may have considered before opting to keep him around.
Bradbury has been a solid if not spectacular performer for the Vikings. However, he has failed to meet the expectations normally associated with a first-round pick, and his presence on the roster is unlikely to prevent those in power from finding an alternative in this year’s draft.
At least from the outside looking in, this does appear to be Bradbury’s last chance to prove himself in Minnesota.
He was on the field for 883 snaps in 2021, giving up two sacks and conceding eight penalties en route to a modest 60.2 grade from Pro Football Focus. This was underwhelming and typifies how things have gone for the player since arriving at the next level.
Bradbury should consider this as a fortunate turn of events. He won’t have his fifth-year option picked up, one suspects, so his long-term aspirations are still well and truly hanging in the balance.
Should the Vikings draft a promising prospect at the position, it only increases the sense of urgency where Bradbury is concerned.