Josh Norman’s potential replacement, rookie Bradberry, to wear No. 24
CHARLOTTE, NC (WCCB Charlotte) — Cornerback James Bradberry had already started being measured up to the departed Josh Norman since being taken in the second round of the NFL Draft.
And that was before Bradberry decided to take the number-24 jersey.
“I knew it (was Josh Norman’s). But it wasn’t like any shade or shots out to him or anything,” Bradberry said.
If finding a Norman clone is what the Panthers are looking for out of Bradberry, he would love to step into that role. Bradberry, who says he’s not a “sociable-guy”, like Norman, says he will be diving into game-tape to see exactly how the old-24 played the position.
“I want to be my own person but I also want to get some tips and things from his game by watching film and stuff because I know he had a great year,” Bradberry said. “He’s a great player, so that’s what I’m looking to do.”
The Panthers search to replace number-24 was in critical-focus during the 2016 NFL Draft. Carolina selected Bradberry with their second round selection and proceeded to select two more cornerbacks, D.J. Worley and Zack Sanchez, with their next two picks in the third and fifth rounds, respectively.
Bradberry has similar attributes to Norman on-the-field as both have frames over six-feet tall. Off the field, both played their collegiate ball at smaller, FCS schools. Bradberry was just the seventh player ever drafted out of Samford while Norman came from Coastal Carolina.
Bradberry remained neutral on whether he thought he would have been a first-round pick if he went to a bigger school, but the Panthers are hoping to find a diamond-in-the-rough as the team’s general manager has been known for through the draft.
“More small school players are in the league now so of course we can play,” Bradberry said. “I think we proved that in the combine and the all-star games and (the guys before) have proved it on Sunday’s.”
What’s different about life after being drafted by Carolina? For one, his social media game has bloomed with Panthers fans showing support. The rookie defensive back says the team has welcomed him into the family, but now that rookie camp is here, its about getting down to business–which means learning the schemes and verbiage of Panthers football.
“I had a few butterflies when I first walked out here,” Bradberry said of his first rookie camp practice. “It was fun. I feel like I spoke well. In this defense you have to communicate, I’m not a very sociable guy, I don’t talk alot. But I feel like I got the job done when I came out here today.”
