EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings on Thursday drafted center Garrett Bradbury out of North Carolina State with the 18th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Bradbury is the first interior offensive lineman selected by the Vikings in a first round since guard Randall McDaniel in 1988.

Bradbury started all 13 games for the Wolfpack in 2018 and claimed the Rimington Trophy as the nation's best center. He also was First-Team All-ACC and a consensus All-American.

The Charlotte, North Carolina, native started the final 39 games of his career after transitioning from playing tight end in high school to guard in 2015, when he started 13 games. Bradbury moved to center the following season and garnered All-ACC honors as a junior who opened all 13 games at center.

He earned his degree in business supply operations management in December of 2017.

NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah was the first to comment on the selection of Bradbury on NFL Network's broadcast. He said Bradbury is the "best center in the draft."

"Well done, and Kirk Cousins, we don't have video of him, but he's celebrating along with Garrett Bradbury," Jeremiah said. "This is the best center in the draft and one of the best to come out in the last handful of years. I call him the 'Grim Reacher,' Coach [David Shaw], because I've never seen somebody reach more guys in the run game than what Garrett Bradbury does.

"He is outstanding with his quickness," Jeremiah said. "You think about guys he reminds you of, you go back and look at Jason Kelce and Ryan Kalil, he is that type of center. The quickness is off the charts."

Click here to read Bradbury's **Prospect Profile**.

Player Bio from NFL.com

Overview

Bradbury's body control, core strength, movement skills and intelligence check very important boxes for teams looking for immediate center help. His pass-pro tape against Clemson proves he can hold his own against a variety of pass-rush flavors while his strength and athleticism make him scheme flexible. He is a candidate to become an early and long-time starter in the league.

Strengths

• Good lean muscle mass and core strength
• Former tight end with above-average athletic talent
• Fluid mover who can reach, pull and climb successfully
• Plus reactive athleticism for sudden switch from one block to the next
• Impressive body control jumps off tape
• Ready hands are quick to find target in run or pass
• Grip strength to snatch, center and sustain blocks
• Quick recognition/response against gaming defensive fronts
• Won't over-set in pass pro and maintains mirror
• Nose tackles catch those hands in their chest early in their rush
• Footwork and upper-body power redirect gap rushers
• Agility to recovery from a poor start to his rep

Weaknesses

• Falls slightly below NFL size averages for the position
• Forward lean into pass sets could open him to counters
• Regularity of punch mechanics make him predictable for hand-counters
• Pass protection benefitted from quick game and play-action attack
• Should give ground to gain ground on initial zone steps to prevent penetration
• Rushes lateral movements at times
• Run blocking gets top-heavy with excessive leaning
• Doesn't get much movement as drive blocker
• Won't be able to get away with grabs/holds on second level in NFL