2019 NFL Scouting Report: Scouting N.C. State center, Garrett Bradbury

One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos in the first-round of the 2019 NFL Draft is former N.C. State center, Garrett Bradbury. He is a 6’3”, 306lb center who is considered the top center in the entire draft. Bradbury is ranked as the top interior offensive lineman and center in the 2019 NFL Draft according to The Draft Network, and is ranked as the 14th best player in the draft.

Bradbury was named the Rimington Trophy winner in 2018, This award is given out to the top center in the nation during that season. He was also named a Consensus All-American in 2018 and was also named to the First team All-ACC team for his play during that past season.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has Bradbury ranked as the 22nd overall player in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Bradbury is a slightly undersized player with excellent quickness, balance and awareness. He is a very clean player, rarely falling off blocks or getting caught out of position. In pass protection, he has quick hands and can easily slide mirror while displaying excellent knee bend. He will stutter back a little bit versus power rushers before settling down. He is very aware. In the run game, he uses his quickness to consistently reach and cut off defenders. He takes good angles up to the second level, and he can adjust in space. He isn’t a mauler, but he stays attached to his assignment. Overall, Bradbury will be a steady, reliable starter, and I see very minimal risk.

With the Broncos potentially needing a new starting center due to Matt Paradis signing with the Carolina Panthers in Free Agency, a player like Bradbury makes a ton of sense for them.

Garrett Bradbury

Center, RS-Senior, N.C. State

Height: 6’3” Weight: 306lbs 40-time: 4.92 seconds

Arm Length: 31 3/4” Hands: 10 1/2”

Bench Press: 34 reps Vertical Jump: 31.0 inches Broad Jump: 104.0 inches

3-Cone Drill: 7.41 seconds 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.53 seconds

Film Room:

Scouting Report:

Strengths:

• A very athletic center with some tight end experience in his background
• Smooth mover with terrific lateral movement skills
• can pull and attack the second level well
• Has excellent body control
• A plus run blocker and uses his technique to maximize his ability
• Has strong hands and a strong punch
• Shows high IQ and has plus recognition skills
• A perfect fit for a zone-blocking scheme
• Played well against Clemson’s defensive line which has multiple top 40 selections along its line
• Plug and play starter from day one at center
• Plays through the whistle and finishes his blocks

Weaknesses:

• A tad undersized
• Struggles at anchoring at time against some of your more powerful lineman
• Not very scheme diverse and likely is only a zone-based offensive lineman(not a weaknesses that relates to the Broncos)

MockDraftable Graph:

Quotable:

The Draft Network’s Jon Ledyard on N.C. State’s Garrett Bradbury.

“A three-year starter at center after converting from tight end as a redshirt freshman, Bradbury has been an outstanding pivot for N.C. State, dominating as a run blocker while growing into a very consistent pass protector. Truthfully, there is very little to dislike about Bradbury’s tape, as he rarely loses a 1v1 exchange and has a remarkable combination of traits and technique that should make him an early and impactful starter in an NFL zone scheme.

The only thing that may bump Bradbury down the board is that N.C. State is almost exclusively a zone blocking team, which could limit the number of scheme fits for him if NFL teams are concerned he can’t operate as effectively in gap/power offenses. I believe Bradbury can be a dominant center across the board with his traits, smarts and technique, but for zone heavy teams he can become one of the best centers in football. Top 10 player in the 2019 class.”

Does Bradbury make sense for the Broncos in the first-round of the 2019 NFL Draft?:

If they decide to trade back, yes.

Bradbury is an ideal zone-blocking center. His athleticism and moving skills are strength while being “undersized” and struggling some against power are his weaknesses. This is the type of offensive lineman we have seen flourish in Denver in the past and hopefully into the future.

He is a plug and play day one starter for the Broncos and an ideal replacement for Matt Paradis who signed with the Carolina Panthers.

Now, Bradbury will not be the 10th overall pick, and he very likely will be long gone by the time the Broncos pick again in the second round with their 41st overall selection. So, if they truly want Bradbury they will need to trade back, or trade back into the first-round/early second round to get him.