Chris Reed
Visitors to the Minnesota Vikings spent two months enjoying the possibility of adding a JC tractor to the 2022 depth chart, but the plan has to be implemented.
Traitor is one of the best pass-blocking centers in the business, so a union with the Vikings, a team surrounded by pass-protection issues for four seasons, seems logical. For now, though, Trater doesn’t have that kind of luck.
The request from Vikings supporters has been taken from current center Garrett Bradbury’s irresistible pass protection over the past three years. Bradbury was drafted with the 18th overall pick – another global draft stock for one center – but only improved the plow lane to run back. His pass-blocking is overwhelming. According to Pro football focusBradbury’s 2021 pass-protection grade 43.7 ranked third-lowest among 39 qualifying centers in the NFL – only advanced [in a bad way] By Pat Elflain (CAR) and Kyle Fuller (SEA).
So what is clear at the moment about the location of the Vikings Center is:
- Garrett Bradbury, through three full seasons, has fought hard to save the Kirk cousins.
- JC Tretter did not sign to resolve the issue.
This led to the rise of the Dark Horse candidate in the center – Chris Reed, a free-agent signer for the Indianapolis Colts.
Reid was signed in March by new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, probably to compete in the right guard, his normal position. But now, after the NFL draft, the Vikings have five men to fight for the RG Summer – Jesse Davis, Watt Davis, Ed Ingram, Chris Reed and Oli Udoh. That’s a lot.
Probably planning Is not Reed to play right guard. Maybe his destiny is to replace Bradbury.
Reed played some snaps for the Colts in 2021 and did well in limited sample size.
Here’s Reed’s PFF Resume through six seasons:
2016 = 53.5
2017 = 50.8
2018 = 57.3
2019 = 70.3
2020 = 63.0
2021 = 67.2
The man is an admirable actor in the trenches. It would not be surprising if the Reed-A-Center emerged as planned from the beginning of its acquisition. Also, it will explain why Minnesota has not approached Trater’s agent in the last two months.
Reed possesses the necessary fencing skills to swing in one place on the offensive line. His PFF score is close to legend according to the Vikings OL standard, so it would be strange for Minnesota to audition him for a few months in the summer and send the man packing.
The longer the offseason lasts, the more likely it is that Reed will be acquired to compete at the center, without any additional center movement.
And, on the whole, Vikings fans should be comforted to know that the offensive trenches of the last few seasons are unexpected for the rival football team.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to her daily YouTube channel, VikesNow. She Hosts a podcast With Bryant McKinney, which airs every Wednesday Raun Sai And Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking Fandom dates back to 1996. Listed Criminal Pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos’ and The Doors (Band).
