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Samford cornerback James Bradberry may not be ready to see starting reps early on in his NFL career because of his raw cover skills, but he has traits that are worth the risk on Day 3 as a developmental press corner.
As we get closer and closer to the 2016 NFL Draft, the volume of players I’d like to provide you with at least some analysis of looms large. Enter our new mini-scouting reports, laid out very simply with strengths, weaknesses, scheme fit, and a general overview of the player, before finally offering you a round grade. These reports will be brief, informative and to the point, covering second and third day prospects in the upcoming draft. I’ll continue to produce lengthier reports with more visual features for players expected to be taken higher in the draft.
CB James Bradberry
College: Samford
Year: Senior
Birth Year: 1993
Height: 6-0
Weight: 211
Arm Length: 33
Hand Size: 9 1/8
Combine Results
40 Time: 4.45
Bench: 16
Vertical: 36″
Broad: 124″
3-Cone: 6.91
Short Shuttle: 4.21
60-yard Shuttle: N/A
Pros
As a potential press cornerback, he passes the eye test with flying colors as he possesses the size, length, and build of what teams are looking for. Shows nice patience and technique at the LOS in press coverage. Unlike most press corners coming out of college, he plays under control with good balance. Able to frustrate receivers with his outstanding arm length and hand usage at the LOS, making it difficult for them to break away once engaged. His large catching radius is evident at the catch point when he is able to consistently challenge in jump ball situations, which makes it seem like he is the receiver at times with his “my ball” mentality. Plays with a good understanding of leverage in run support while showing consistency as an open-field tackler.
Cons
When asked to turn and run with receivers vertically, a good amount of hip tightness is evident. Relies on his length on these vertical plays because he is consistently out of position. Once a receiver gains a step at the LOS, he lacks the recovery quickness to get back on his hip pocket. In off coverage, he plays timid and doesn’t trust his decision making, failing to anticipate routes as they break. His mediocre stop-start quickness is exposed in and out of the receiver’s breaks, which will lead him to being a liability of sorts when covering in space at the next level. Easily fooled by quarterbacks with his lack of eye discipline and recognition skills. Thought he was a one-trick pony in that if he didn’t get his hands on the receiver at the LOS, he was dead in the water.
Analysis
I like what James Bradberry could become with time and coaching, but the fact is that he is simply not ready for starting reps at this stage of his development. With the combination of his immature eye discipline, underdeveloped recognition skills, and inability to anticipate routes, he will struggle cerebrally if asked to play right away. The good thing though is that there are a lot of tools to work with here with his length and ball skills to fit the mold of the “new age” press cornerback. If a coaching staff is patient enough to work with him, he could be a steal with his suffocating strength at the LOS in press coverage, but until then, he is a one-trick pony who looks like a fish out of water when he is not in tight quarters, which means that he may need to make his mark on special teams if he wants the time to possibly realize his potential on the defensive side of the ball. He is almost like one of those European prospects in the NBA Draft that is labeled as two years away from being two years away, but in NFL standards.
Grade: 6th Round
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
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