The Patriots have added another veteran offensive lineman to the fold and now, Drake Maye has a new center.
New England is signing veteran Garrett Bradbury to a two-year deal worth up to $12 million with $3.8 million in guaranteed money. A first-round pick by Minnesota in 2019, Bradbury comes to New England having started all 88 games played over his six-year NFL career.
The Patriots wanted to add a veteran center after releasing longtime captain David Andrews last week and Bradbury will enter this offseason as the favorite to start. He’ll compete with Ben Brown, Cole Strange, Lectius Smith, and Jake Andrews.
Last year, Andrews started the first four games before suffering a season-ending torn rotator cuff. The Patriots initially started Nick Leverett at center before signing Ben Brown off the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad. Brown started 10 games at center. Later in the season, the team started Strange two games.
The results were mixed, which is why the Patriots signed a veteran starter on Tuesday.
Last season, Pro Football Focus ranked Brown 39th among centers with a 52.8 grade. Andrews had a 58.7 grade and Strange was given a 48.6 grade in his limited action.
PFF graded him as one of the best run-blocking centers with a 70.7 grade, which ranked 14th in the NFL. His pass protection, however, ranked 55th with a 48.2 grade.
Bradbury was the best collegiate center at N.C. State, winning the Rimington Trophy in 2018. That led the Vikings to draft him 18th overall in 2019. He started immediately in Minnesota, playing every snap at center.
The Vikings released Bradbury on Monday after failing to find a trade partner. Minnesota moved on from the veteran after signing four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly last week in free agency.
It took the Patriots less than 24 hours to strike a deal with Bradbury. He’s the third veteran offensive lineman to sign with the Patriots this offseason, joining protected starting right tackle Morgan Moses and interior offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer.
By signing Bradbury, the Patriots hope they have reinforced the interior of their offensive line next to right guard Michael Onwenu.
The Patriots have been in the market for help at left tackle and left guard. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the team add at either position whether that’s free agency, the draft, or both.
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