With the 62nd pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers have selected James Bradberry, CB, Samford.
Player Draft Profile
BOTTOM LINE: Long, well-built cornerback who plays with enough ball skills to interest teams. On tape, Bradberry shows consistent issues with his footwork from press coverage and gives up too much separation to quick receivers early in routes. A step up in competition may be challenging for him early on and despite his size, his best spot may be as a zone corner.
STRENGTHS: When he can press and play close to the line of scrimmage, Bradberry extends to disrupt the route and stays balanced while keeping his eyes in the backfield to make a play on the ball. Looks the part with a tall, filled-out frame and cut physique. Vines for arms with a large wingspan. Controlled athlete, using measured footwork to press and transition...
Reaches his top speed quickly. Stance is his foundation, staying balanced while engaged to play bump-and-run. Lower body bend in off coverage with a quick trigger once he sinks to intercept angles. Large catch radius with the ballskills to make plays above the rim. Above average high-to-low tackler with the functional strength to fill and finish.
WEAKNESSES: Level of competition concerns and struggled vs. FBS receivers at times during Senior Bowl practices. Lacks the short-area burst to stick with top receiving prospects. Patient process, but often plays it too safe in off-coverage, arriving late to the ball. Route anticipation needs maturing. Shows hip tightness when changing directions, causing him to get turned around in coverage. Immature eye use and discipline.
Needs to improve his focus and technique to maintain proper positioning on vertical routes and combinations. Needs to take more chances and show more aggression to create and keep offenses honest - predictable and veteran receivers will figure him out quickly.
IN OUR VIEW: Bradberry is well-versed with press technique and isn't shy using his long arms and physical hands to disrupt the rhythm of receivers, but his high center of gravity and stiffness force him to get turned around, lacking the burst to recover. Although he needs to improve his anticipation and aggressiveness in off coverages, Bradberry will also be a candidate for zone schemes or a transition to safety
How he fits in Carolina
He fills the void left by Josh Norman's departure and should fit in adequately in the Panthers' zone coverage schemes. He has the size, speed and ball skills to be a solid piece in a rebuilding secondary.
Panthers Top Needs
OT, CB, S, WR, DE, OL depth
Panthers draft picks
Team | Round | Pick | Overall | Player Selected |
Carolina Panthers | 1 | 30 | 30 | Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech |
Carolina Panthers | 2 | 31 | 62 | James Bradberry, CB, Samford |
Carolina Panthers | 3 | 14 | 77 | Daryl Worley, CB, West Virginia |
Carolina Panthers | 4 | 31 | 129 | *traded* |
Carolina Panthers | 5 | 2 | 141 | -- |
Carolina Panthers | 7 | 31 | 252 | -- |
2016 NFL Draft Schedule
Thursday, April 28 - Round 1, 8:00 p.m. EDT (10 min per pick)
Friday, April 29 - Rounds 2-3, 7 p.m. EDT (Rd 2 - 7 min, Rd 3 - 5 min per pick)
Saturday, April 30 - Rounds 4-7, 12 p.m. EDT (Rds 4-6 - 5 min, Rd 7 - 4 min per pick)
NFL Network and ESPN/ESPN2 will televise the draft.
Live NFL Draft Tracker