James Bradberry

The Carolina Panthers selected Bradberry in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Samford University.[3] He was the 11th cornerback selected in 2016 and the first of three cornerbacks drafted by the Panthers.[4]

External video

Panthers select Bradberry 62nd overall

On May 10, 2016, Bradberry signed a four-year, US$3.69 million contract with the team.[5]

Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott held a competition during training camp to name a new starting cornerback after the Panthers released Josh Norman. Bradberry competed against Robert McClain for the job.[6] Head coach Ron Rivera named Bradberry the starting cornerback, along with veteran Bené Benwikere, to start the regular season.[7]

He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Carolina Panthers' season-opener at the Denver Broncos and made six combined tackles and a pass deflection in a 21–20 loss. He made his first career tackle on running back C. J. Anderson during the first drive of the game.[8] On September 18, 2016, Bradberry made two combined tackles, two pass deflections, and made his first career interception off a pass by quarterback Blaine Gabbert in the Panthers' 46–27 victory against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2.[9] On October 2, 2016, he made two solo tackles before exiting the Panthers' 48–33 loss at the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter with an injury. Bené Benwikere and fellow rookie Daryl Worley, who replaced Bradberry, gave up over 300 receiving yards to Julio Jones. On October 7, 2016, the Carolina Panthers released their No. 1 cornerback, Bené Benwikere in response to the secondary's embarrassing performance at the Falcons. His release made Bradberry became the team's No. 1 cornerback on their depth chart with fellow rookie Daryl Worley as the No. 2 starting cornerback and Zack Sanchez as their backup at No. 3.[10][11] Bradberry was inactive for the next three games (Weeks 5–8) due to a severe case of turf toe he sustained during the loss to the Falcons.[12] In Week 13, Bradberry collected a season-high eight combined tackles and broke up a pass during a 40–7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. On January 1, 2017, Bradberry made six solo tackles, two pass deflections, and intercepted Jameis Winston during a 17–16 loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[13] He finished his rookie season with 59 combined tackles (47 solo), ten pass deflections, and two interceptions in 13 games and 13 starts.[14] Pro Football Focus gave Bradberry an overall grade of 82.6, ranking him 20th among all cornerbacks in 2016. He also graded out as the top ranked rookie cornerback and the Panthers' top defensive back.[15][16]

On June 5, 2017, Bradberry suffered a fractured wrist during OTAs and was ruled out for a least a month.[17] Head coach Ron Rivera named Bradberry and Worley the starting outside cornerbacks with newly acquired free agent Captain Munnerlyn as the starting nickelback.[18]

On October 12, 2017, Bradberry recorded six combined tackles, broke up a pass, and made his first career sack on quarterback Carson Wentz during a 28–23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.[19] In Week 14, he made six combined tackles, a season-high three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Case Keenum in the Panthers' 31–24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.[19] The following week, Bradberry recorded a season-high seven combined tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Aaron Rodgers during a 31–24 victory against the Green Bay Packers.[19] Bradberry finished the 2017 season with 85 combined tackles (66 solo), ten pass deflections, three interceptions, and a sack in 16 games and 16 starts.[14] Pro Football Focus gave Bradberry an overall grade of 42.4, ranking him 109th among all qualifying cornerbacks in 2017.[20]

The Carolina Panthers finished second in the NFC South with an 11–5 record and received a Wildcard berth. On January 7, 2018, Bradberry started in his first career playoff game and recorded seven combined tackles as the Panthers lost 31–26 at the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Wildcard Game.[19]

Bradberry entered 2018 as a starting cornerback alongside rookie Donte Jackson. He started all 16 games, recording 70 combined tackles, a sack, an interception, and a team-leading 15 pass deflections.

In Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, Bradberry made his first sack and interception of Jared Goff in a 27-30 loss. [21] In week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bradberry recorded a team high 10 tackles and made 2 interceptions off Jameis Winston in the 37-26 win. [22]

On March 26, 2020, Bradberry signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the New York Giants.[23]