The Patriots have added another veteran offensive lineman to the fold and now, Drake Maye has a new center.
According to a source, the Patriots are signing veteran Garrett Bradbury to a 2-year deal worth up to $12 million with $3.8 million in guaranteed money. A first-round pick by Minnesota, Bradbury comes to New England having started all 88 games played over his six-year NFL career.
Bradbury will enter this offseason as the favorite to start at the center position. 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 at the position.
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 ranked Bradbury 27th among NFL centers with a 62.8 grade. The site 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 the center position.
The Vikings released Bradbury on Monday after failing to find a trade partner. Minnesota moved on from the veteran after signing 4-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.
