5 players the Vikings (probably) regret not drafting in 2023
By Ben Donahue
Player No. 5
Anthony Bradford - OG
Drafted By: Seattle Seahawks (Fourth Round, Pick No. 108)
Minnesota began the year with Ezra Cleveland and Ed Ingram penciled in as the starters at guard.
It wasn’t long until injuries ravaged the Vikings offensive line, leading to 47 sacks allowed, and Cleveland was traded to Jacksonville on Halloween.
Ingram ended his second season with a 59.5 grade by PFF. In order to stop the bleeding, Dalton Risner was signed as a free agent in September.
One can’t help but wonder if Anthony Bradford would have been a better fit in Minnesota and provided some stability.
Bradford played three different positions on the offensive line in four years at LSU. He was then selected with the 108th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2023 draft by Seattle.
During his rookie year, Bradford played in 14 games for the Seahawks and started 10. He did well enough that CBS Sports ranked Bradford as a Top-10 value pick (along with Mekhi Blackmon) in November.
According to CBS, Bradford gave up exactly zero sacks in 187 pass attempts and was beaten on only 3.2% of his opponent’s drop-back plays.
Risner’s one-year deal with Minnesota ends in March. If the Vikings had Bradford, they may not have needed Risner in the first place.