The New England Patriots splurged in free agency in the first offseason with Mike Vrabel as the head coach. They wanted to add a flurry of different players to elevate the roster, and they achieved that goal with certain players.
While the vibes are high in Foxborough right now, not everyone they brought in will be a hit. One of their biggest priorities was surrounding Drake Maye with playmakers and protection.
They were able to do so, and one of those signings was center Garrett Bradbury on a two-year, $9.5 million deal. He will step into the starting role for New England, but it comes with some serious concerns.
Garrett Bradbury Could Be Underwhelming for Patriots
Over six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, he started in 88 games, including at least 12 starts in every season. Despite being on the field consistently, Bradberry has struggled as a pass protector. Last season, he had 29 pass-block losses, and that isn't ideal considering pressure was flying through the interior.
According to PFF, he had a 62.1 overall grade (33rd among 64 graded centers) and a 48.2 pass-blocking grade (55th among 64 graded centers). He allowed 37 total pressures, six hits allowed, four sacks, and committed six penalties.
It wasn't much better in 2023, as he had a 60.9 overall grade (31st among 56 graded centers) and a 56.8 pass-blocking grade (33rd among 56 graded centers) per PFF. During that campaign, he allowed 22 pressures, allowed three sacks, and also committed five penalties.
These numbers are definitely underwhelming. And one could see why the Vikings wanted to move on from the NC State product. The Pats needed another center after David Andrews retired, and Bradberry fit the bill.
Regardless of his starting experience, Bradbury's play on the field, especially as a pass protector, is lackluster. With a young QB under center, that is less than ideal. If Maye is constantly getting pressured from the interior when the season rolls around, fans will be annoyed, and Bradbury could be at fault based on history.