This season I will be checking on the progress of the Carolina Panthers rookie class individually.  Up first, cornerback James Bradberry out of Samford. 

The Carolina Panthers selected Bradberry in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft, hoping his physical appearance that matches Josh Norman so closely will translate to a similar comparison in performance.  Bradberry is a long, lean zone corner that is a perfect fit for the Panthers defensive scheme. 

During the first practice of training camp, Bradberry got a real taste of what covering large physical NFL receivers is all about. 

During team drills, Bradberry was matched up again towering wide receivers Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess.  The result was in the favor of the offense.  Many completions were made at Bradberry’s expense.  Bradberry struggled to get his hands on the ball and was bodied out by the larger receivers more times than not. 

Before any conclusions are drawn, it is important to understand his performance in the proper context. 

First, any rookie corner coming into the league is going to struggle a great deal in camp.  This has been and always will be the case.  Offensive plays will last much longer than in an actual game as the Quarterback is not allowed to be sacked.  The play continues on until the ball is thrown, making the job of a cornerback infinitely more difficult. 

Second, even the previous owner of #24 for the Panthers, Josh Norman, struggled last season against Kelvin Benjamin.  Training camp adversity is not something only experienced by rookies.  Norman went on to have a pro bowl season despite being dominated in training camp by Benjamin.  Clearly, broad reaching conclusions should not be drawn in training camp. 

Now for the good news. 

The encouraging thing here is that Bradberry was in the right place most of the time.  Rarely was he off of his receiver and not in position to make a play.  When it comes to rookie corners, there is no better measuring stick for performance.  It took Josh Norman a good number of years to consistently stay within the system without “going rogue” as head coach Ron Rivera would say.  This appears not to be the case with James Bradberry. 

At this point, I think it is safe to say Bradberry is exactly where the Carolina Panthers coaching staff had hoped he would be.  Fitting well within the system and sticking with his given assignment.  All of the physical tools are there for Bradberry, all he needs now is as much experience as the Panthers can give him. 

More news from the first day of training camp:

Kelvin Benjamin shines in First Carolina Panthers practice. 

Notes and Photos from Day 1 of Carolina Panthers training camp