The Atlanta Falcons lost their starting center in free agency when Drew Dalman agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract with the Chicago Bears. The 26-year-old was considered one of the top free -gent offensive linemen in this year’s class, posting a grade over 75 in three of his four seasons.
Like many teams, the departure of a quality player presents the challenge of replacing him. Ryan Neuzil is projected to be the starting center to take over for Dalman, but he posted a 58.5 overall grade that was nearly a 20-point dropoff from Dalman’s 78.8 grade from Pro Football Focus last season.
While the draft is always an option, the Falcons may have had one fall into their lap and could give them the ideal replacement for Dalman next season.
Garrett Bradbury Could Be Falcons Ideal Replacement for Drew Dalman
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Minnesota Vikings are set to release center Garrett Bradbury in the coming days unless a trade can be arranged. A first-round pick in the 2019 draft, Bradbury’s release will come days after the team signed Ryan Kelly to a two-year contract in free agency and gives the free-agent market a veteran center that has started 88 games over his six-year career.
Bradbury’s experience also comes with a boost to the running game. Playing in a zone-blocking scheme similar to the one the Falcons deploy, Bradbury posted a 77.1 run blocking grade on 243 snaps on zone runs. By comparison, Dalman had the NFL’s sixth-best run blocking grade on zone runs at 82.3 (196 snaps) while Neuzil posted a 63.6 run-blocking grade on zone runs (157 runs) last season.
With Bijan Robinson and Tyler Algeier in the backfield, finding a center that can carve out space in the running game is ideal. But the Falcons need someone that can protect Michael Penix Jr. as well.
Dalman excelled in protecting the passer with just 10 pressures allowed on 273 pass-blocking snaps. Neuzil had an even better performance, allowing 10 pressures on 321 snaps and a pass-blocking grade (63.6) similar to Dalman’s (66.6). But Bradbury struggled, allowing 37 pressures and a 48.2 pass-blocking grade last season.
Packers center Josh Myers was the next closest center with 29 quarterback pressures allowed, and Bradbury had the fourth-lowest pass blocking grade among qualifiers, trailing New England’s Ben Brown (47.3), Beaux Limmer of the Los Angeles Rams (42.9), and Shane Lemieux of the New York Giants (42.1).
If the Falcons are looking for pass protection, they’re best-suited sticking with Neuzil. But Bradbury could have an advantage not only with his run-blocking ability but ESPN’s Jordan Reid noted his connection to offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford, who held the same position when Bradbury starred at North Carolina State.
With a valuation of $4.4 million, according to Over The Cap, Bradbury would be a cost-effective upgrade over Neuzil next season. But it depends on what the Falcons prioritize in their center and whether a previous connection would be enough to land Bradbury a job in Atlanta.