NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Quarterbacks rise post-combine, Redskins land pass catcher
31. player. 51. . Guard/Center. NC State. Garrett Bradbury
The Rams made a curious move recently when they decline the option they had to keep veteran center, John Sullivan. Though Sullivan turns 34 in August, he has been a solid starter for the Rams in each of the past two seasons. Now, with him gone, the team has a hole there that needs to be filled.
While the team has former fourth-round pick Brian Allen at their disposal for the center job, they also may find themselves needing a left guard if Rodger Saffold leaves in free agency. For that reason, they could invest in an interior lineman early and Garrett Bradbury is a good value pick at this point.
Bradbury was one of the smoothest, most athletic interior linemen at the combine. He showed great footwork and movement skills in the drills and clocked the third-fastest time in the 40-yard dash among offensive linemen. His athletic ability matched his tape, and he should be a solid blocker at the NFL level.
Bradbury would challenge Allen for the starting center job with the loser either sliding to the left guard spot or being the backup center. In all likelihood, Bradbury would win. Given how important center play is to the success of NFL teams, grabbing Bradbury as a replacement for Sullivan would be a good move for the Rams, and it could help to ensure that their offense doesn’t skip a beat.