Anthony Bradford
Summary
Anthony Bradford was selected in the 4th Round (#108 Overall) in the 2023 Draft out of LSU. Bradord is a high-ceiling interior offensive lineman whose major strengths lie in his size, power, run-blocking ability and above-average athletic metrics for his frame. His primary developmental tasks revolve around refining his lateral movement, mastering pass protection technique, and proving consistency against elite level defenders. If he addresses these areas, his floor remains a solid starter; his ceiling is much higher.
Strengths
Elite size & strength: Bradford brings a heavy, compact frame with strong upper-body power. His 40-yard dash (5.08 s) and 10-yard split (1.66 s) were very good for his size, indicating initial burst and straight-line explosion.
Run-blocking effectiveness: In his college tape and scouting write-ups, Bradford showed drive off the line, good punch placement, and ability to displace defenders in a power-scheme environment. His strength allows him to sustain blocks, especially in the “phone booth” (close-quarters) run-blocking zones. Steelers Depot
Versatility & experience at multiple spots: While primarily a guard, Bradford has experience lining up at multiple interior spots and even essaying tackle in college, which adds to his flexibility. NFL Draft Buzz
High athletic testing for his size: For a 332 lb interior lineman, Bradford’s athletic testing was above par: e.g., excellent 10-yard split, decent vertical/broad jump numbers.
Weaknesses
Limited lateral quickness / change of direction: While he has good straight-line burst, multiple scouting reports note that once he’s engaged or moved laterally, his ability to mirror, redirect or recover is less refined. Exhibits a persistent drift and opening of hips when facing wide alignments or speed rushers. Bleacher Report
Pass-protection technique still developing: He sometimes waits too long with his hands, gets off balance when asked to mirror skilled edge defenders, and can over-commit to his power base. Against more complex stunts/blitzes his processing and reaction time have been flagged as needing growth. Bleacher Report
In-space/blocking on second level and finish vs elite defenders: While strong in close quarters, his performance in space (i.e., picking up blocks on the second level, chasing down defensive linemen or linebackers) is less proven. Also, against premium one-on-one defenders his strength still needs to be matched with technique to avoid being reset. PFSN
Experience and polish: Though talented, Bradford’s NFL film is still limited; as a younger guard he is still refining the “finer points” of interior line play (hand placement, footness, mirror bases) rather than being fully polished already. Bleacher Report
Fit & Outlook
Bradford projects as a potential starting guard with strong upside, especially in a power-run or gap-scheme offense. In the near term, his role may be somewhat developmental: needing to refine technique, reduce penalties, and show consistency in pass protection. Over time, with improvement, he could settle into a dependable interior starter. Given his size and strength, teams that emphasize push-the-pocket run game or heavy physical identity will be well-suited for his skill set. If he refines his traits (especially lateral quickness and mirror ability), he could become a long-term anchor in the interior.