The Camp Battle for Center

[SlowGettingUp]

One of the clear battles this camp is for starting center - rookie Jared Wilson vs. experienced vet Garret Bradbury.

What is striking is how athletic both these players are, as seen in their RAS scores below. (Of course these refer to the Bradbury of 2019 not today's version). The knock on Wilson is his inexperience; the knock on Bradbury is that last year at least he gave up an awful lot of pressures to bull rushes. He's listed as 300lb on the Patriots roster, so a bit lighter than Wilson and a bit less than when he was drafted. Unclear if Bradbury's issues last year were the coaching or rest of the line, but the fact that he was released by the Vikings after 6 years must mean something.



Both players might be well suited to outside zone running plays - interesting that those were featured on day 1 of camp (although that might just be because it was a non-padded practice).

 

[Pape]

wasn't it ben brown taking the center snaps with the starting OL?

PATRIOTS TRAINING CAMP Post in thread 'Training Camp Day 1 - July 23'

Jul 23, 2025

• Ian

 

[PWRxWLF]

This will definitely be worth watching, especially once the pads come on. I’d be surprised if Bradbury isnt able to hold off the rook to start the season.

 

[PWRxWLF]

wasn't it ben brown taking the center snaps with the starting OL?

PATRIOTS TRAINING CAMP Post in thread 'Training Camp Day 1 - July 23'

Jul 23, 2025

• Ian

I read that as well, but then saw a few others linking Bradbury/Wilson as taking the starter snaps. @signbabybrady , you were there. Did you happen to notice who was starting?

 

[PWRxWLF]

wasn't it ben brown taking the center snaps with the starting OL?

PATRIOTS TRAINING CAMP Post in thread 'Training Camp Day 1 - July 23'

Jul 23, 2025

• Ian

It was Evan Lazar reporting that Bradbury was starting and Wilson also taking reps during 1st team.

 

[Brandon_Cox]

I’d be surprised if Bradbury isnt able to hold off the rook to start the season.

I'll be depressed if he can hold off the rook because he legitimately sucked last year

 

[signbabybrady]

I read that as well, but then saw a few others linking Bradbury/Wilson as taking the starter snaps. @signbabybrady , you were there. Did you happen to notice who was starting?

I looked quick when they first lined up and I thought it was Bradbury but it easily could have been Brown. Jared Wilson is a little more tan so it wasn't him at first.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

It was Evan Lazar reporting that Bradbury was starting and Wilson also taking reps during 1st team.

Yes:

Also from The Herald:

• 
  
• Welcome back, Jared Wilson. The third-round rookie took snaps at center and left guard with the starting offense, but did not lead off any period at those positions. Wilson was limited throughout the spring.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I'll be depressed if he can hold off the rook because he legitimately sucked last year

Wilson only had 23 bench presses at the Combine - that is low for a center. He might need a year to get to NFL play strength. Bradbury is a lot stronger at this point.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Bradbury, despite being a super athletic first round pick and great in the run game, has always struggled with pass protection against the big guys:
This from 2022:

For the first two years of his career, the previous regime had no choice but to give their struggling center time. They invested a first-round pick into Bradbury because of his run-blocking ability, athleticism, and intelligence, making them understandably willing to be patient and hope his pass-blocking would improve with experience.

It never did. Bradbury ranked dead last in PFF pass blocking grade among starting centers in both 2019 and 2020, routinely getting beaten by powerful defensive tackles for interior pressure.

Is Chris Reed the Vikings' Backup Plan for Garrett Bradbury at Center?

Reed has never played center in a regular season game, but the Vikings might be prepping him for that possibility.

www.si.com

 

[Huckleberry1]

Either way we are going to see a lot of Henderson, and probably Lampe in the backfield, as both are exceptional pass blocking backs. Hopefully Wilson develops into a great all around center, because it’s hard to see Bradbury learning how to pass protect in his 7th season.

 

[Wozzy]

We should just be happy we have a legit starting center in Bradbury and a talented rookie to groom behind him. Last year at this time the line looked gloomy.

Assuming health Bradbury is the starter. They don’t have to rush Wilson, he’s on a rookie deal for the next four years.

 

[Triumph]

Going back to the well.

The Dynasty years always had a Center who was a fixture on the OL.

Quite frankly, with the exception of Maye, every starting position should be a battle to win.

 

[rkarp1]

show me an athletic, mobile OC that gets to the 2nd level in the run game, that isn't over whelmed by massive NT's/DT's.
Andrews certainly was.
Bradbury is very good in the run game, can call the OL sets at the LOS, and has a decent sized cap hit. he is starting the season imo.
Wilson has lots of potential upside, but needs to get stronger.

 

[DC Patriots]

Bradbury was a highly regarded center when drafted and a late 1st round selection. That we got Wilson, with similar measurables and who was highly effective at Georgia I think highlights that he was a steal in the 3rd round.

That said, Bradbury’s measurables are from 6 years ago. He’s probably a bit slower now. And as others have mentioned he looked like ass at various points last year.

I think Bradbury will start in the beginning of the year. It’s asking a ton of a rookie center to take over a newly minted offensive line. My hope is after Wilson has time to get stronger he’ll be our center for the next decade

 

[rkarp1]

Bradbury was a highly regarded center when drafted and a late 1st round selection. That we got Wilson, with similar measurables and who was highly effective at Georgia I think highlights that he was a steal in the 3rd round.

That said, Bradbury’s measurables are from 6 years ago. He’s probably a bit slower now. And as others have mentioned he looked like ass at various points last year.

I think Bradbury will start in the beginning of the year. It’s asking a ton of a rookie center to take over a newly minted offensive line. My hope is after Wilson has time to get stronger he’ll be our center for the next decade

thats my take on it
following the money, after year 1, Bradbury is a dead cap hit of $1.2m

 

[TommyD4207]

All you gotta do is watch Forged in Foxboro Ep. 2.

Jared Wilson is all over that video. They don't even show Garrett Bradbury once. They think they've got something here.

 

[Brandon_Cox]

Wilson only had 23 bench presses at the Combine - that is low for a center. He might need a year to get to NFL play strength. Bradbury is a lot stronger at this point.

While I'm a little skeptical of bench presses being a reliable proxy for overall NFL play strength, I completely agree that rookie linemen usually need a year or two to get stronger and fitter. Hopefully, because he went to a football factory (instead of, say, UTC), he's in better shape than most

 

[rkarp1]

While I'm a little skeptical of bench presses being a reliable proxy for overall NFL play strength, I completely agree that rookie linemen usually need a year or two to get stronger and fitter. Hopefully, because he went to a football factory (instead of, say, UTC), he's in better shape than most

I believe that while he was at UGA, he only played OC 1 season, correct?

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

While I'm a little skeptical of bench presses being a reliable proxy for overall NFL play strength, I completely agree that rookie linemen usually need a year or two to get stronger and fitter. Hopefully, because he went to a football factory (instead of, say, UTC), he's in better shape than most

I agree, but 23 is pretty low for an OG or OC against bull rushes.