But does that mean Bradbury should be immediately crowned as the starting center once again? Well, not if it means benching Mason Cole.

The #Vikings activated Garrett Bradbury from the COVID-19 reserve list, and placed Josh Metellus on it. Tackle Timon Perres was also activated from the practice squad COVID-19 list.

— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingStrib) November 16, 2021

Cole vs Bradbury

If you’ve watched the Vikings’ offensive line play all season then you may have noticed a difference in blocking up the middle over the last couple of games. That’s because Kirk Cousins hasn’t had interior defensive linemen immediately punching him in the face during every other drop back.

Even last week, Cole’s worst as a Viking according to Pro Football Focus, Kirk seemed a lot more comfortable than what we’ve seen when it’s Bradbury blocking in front of him. Their PFF grades show the difference as well. In all three grading categories (Pass Block | Run Block | Offense), Mason Cole is better than Garret Bradbury.

PFF would start Mason Cole over Garrett Bradbury. #Vikings

Cole – PBLK: 54.4 RBLK: 71.1 OFF: 68.8

Bradbury – PBLK: 36.0 RBLK: 67.0 OFF: 56.2 pic.twitter.com/LUWVzyFKjw

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) November 17, 2021

Bradbury Regret

Cole’s grades may not be great. But they’re still head and shoulders better than Garrett Bradbury, who’s been a major disappointment since the Minnesota Vikings drafted him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

In his three seasons wearing purple, the NC State alum is yet to post a PFF pass block grade above a 41.4, which he notched as a rookie. Since then, he’s steadily regressed (2020: 38.8, 2021: 36.0) as a blocker for Kirk Cousins, who struggles big time when pressured up the middle.

How do you regress from a rookie pass block grade in the low 40’s? Nobody’s quite sure but Garrett somehow found a way.

Is Mason Cole’s Play Sustainable

Mason Cole isn’t an over-the-hill veteran. In fact, he’s just 25.5 years old, which is actually younger than the 26.5-year-old Bradbury. But unlike his fellow center, Cole has gotten better with age, improving all of his Pro Football Focus grades as his career has gone on.

Cole’s playing time is certainly something worth keeping an eye on though. He has struggled more in years where he’s been forced into a bigger role. But 2021 has been, so far, the best of his career even as his playing time has risen.

Remember, it’s difficult to find good ways to judge the offensive line, beyond using your own eye test week in and week out, which is a dangerous barometer to rely on. PFF gives us another tool to help us verify what we see each game.

Option C – Bench Oli Udoh

Option C means playing both Mason Cole and Garrett Bradbury, in favor of Oli Udoh, who’s gotten progressively worse at left guard since the 2021 season has played out.

Last week, it was as if he committed a penalty on every drive. His PFF grades have fallen off a cliff as the season’s gone on, too. If the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff is bound and determined to play Garrett Bradbury then sitting Udoh would be another way to keep Mason Cole in the starting lineup.

Bradbury played most of his college career at guard and Cole has played there throughout his NFL career. Hopefully, Zimmer and Kubiak would be smart enough to play Cole at center. Option C would also be another way they could attempt to salvage the career of their former 1st round pick.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

While we were all waiting for the Timberwolves to make a move before the NBA trade deadline, the Minnesota Vikings just busted into the room to steal the show. They desperately need help on the offensive line and Rick Spielman just took his first swing of the offseason at addressing the weakness that has plagued the Vikings since the early 2010’s. The latest experiment is Mason Cole, who comes via trade from the Arizona Cardinals for a 6th round pick. He’s expected to start at one of the guard positions, likely on the left side.

Sources tell me Center Mason Cole traded from @AZCardinals to the @Vikings details to follow @NFL @4th_and_forever @GOATfarmmedia

— Mark Sanchez (@Mark_Sanchez) March 25, 2021

#Vikings acquiring Mason Cole, who was Arizona's starting center last season, for a sixth-round pick. https://t.co/QYQuwXNo9Z

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 25, 2021

He started all 16 games as a rookie at center, was a back-up OL in 2019 with two starts at left guard and started 14 games at center last year. The Vikings have an opening at left guard, not center where Bradbury is. You'd have to imagine they're bringing him in to compete there. https://t.co/N4ccNK5Uw8

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) March 25, 2021

Mason Cole will fit right in with the current talent on the Minnesota offensive line. He moves well and struggles in pass blocking. His PFF grade is a very average 54.4 and none of this should be a surprise because that’s the type of return you can expect for a sixth round pick.

Cole is young (turns 25 this weekend) and was drafted in 2018 (#97 overall) so it’s possible he could come in and develop into a solid o-lineman. But let’s be honest… the Vikings don’t have the best track record in that department. Still, he’s been in the Cliff Kingsbury zone-run system so his fit makes sense.

At some point, however, you have to protect Kirk Cousins. Especially after letting his blindside blanket, Riley Reiff, go in free agency.

I sure hope Rick knows what he’s doing.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan