Bradberry Aiming for 15 mil

[TheRed]

I get why people are apprehensive.

But let's be real. It's easy to say let our top CB walk in February. When Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, and whoever the Bucs QB ends up being are abusing our secondary at record pace, fans will be singing a different tune no doubt.

[YoungPanthers89]

Okudah

[MMA]

16 minutes ago, WOW!! said:

Seriously without Bradberry you're pretty much rebuilding the secondary again.. You just added another whole position project just to field a team.. He might truly have us over a barrel in some ppl minds.. Because they think he's not worth it.. But reality is he might be our only starting quality CB on the roster... ppl might have in their couch GM mind he's not worth it but he is...

Marty Hurney, is that you?

[Bama Panther]

I hate this idea of "resetting the market" every year. Just because one guy got X in free agency last year does not mean a different guy should get X+ this year. I understand a player's desire to get as much as he can, but I don't understand the owners/GMs caving to those demands just because it is a new year.

Right now, according to overthecap.com, there is one cornerback making move $15M or more a year. ONE. There are only six making north of $14M. There are only thirteen making $12M+.

Bradberry is not one of the top 13 CBs in the league and should not be paid like one of the top three. I agree with the notion that he has the Panthers over the barrel, but overpaying is how Hurney got the team into the salary cap mess it was in when he was fired his first go around. He cannot make the same mistakes again, or the rebuild will be demolished before it can even get going.

[NcPsa10]

2020 NFL free agency

Cornerbacks

2020 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2020.

 

1.  Byron Jones, CB, Cowboys. Age: 27. 
   Byron Jones is one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL. He's been excellent for the previous several seasons, and he's not even 28 yet, so he likely won't regress throughout the duration of his next contract.
    
2.  James Bradberry, CB, Panthers. Age: 27. 
   James Bradberry struggles to tackle, but he covered No. 1 receivers this past season and did a great job in that regard. He's only 27 (as of August), and will be due a big contract, or the franchise tag.
   
    
    
3.  Chris Harris, CB, Broncos. Age: 31. 
   Chris Harris is still one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL, but age is starting to become a concern; he turns 31 in June. Harris should still be able to play on a very high level for the next two years, but regression is coming soon.
    
4.  Darqueze Dennard, CB, Bengals. Age: 28. 
   Darqueze Dennard played very well as Cincinnati's slot cornerback in 2019. However, Dennard has played just one full season in his career, so he'd be ranked higher if he weren't such an injury risk.
    
5.  Bradley Roby, CB, Texans. Age: 28. 
   Bradley Roby has experienced an up-and-down career thus far. He played well in 2015, struggled the year after, bounced back at a high level in 2017, then performed poorly once again the following season. He had a solid 2019 campaign, so that just means he's due to decline in 2020.
   
    
    
6.  Jimmy Smith, CB, Ravens. Age: 32. 
   Jimmy Smith is a talented cornerback, but he has a checkered injury history; he hasn't played a full season since 2015. He's also turning 32 in July, so that's a concern.
    
7.  Kendall Fuller, CB, Chiefs. Age: 25. 
   Kendall Fuller didn't perform that well this past season because of an injury, but he has been an excellent slot cornerback in the past. At just 25, Fuller figures to rebound.
    
8.  Brian Poole, CB, Jets. Age: 27. 
   Brian Poole was the Jets' top cornerback this past season. That's not saying much, but Poole did an excellent job of covering the slot.
   
    
    
9.  Ronald Darby, CB, Eagles. Age: 26. 
   Ronald Darby used to be a terrific cornerback, but he was atrocious this past season. Darby has dealt with a number of injuries, which clearly affected his play in 2019. He'll be a nice buy-low option for his new team, presumably on a 1-year "prove it" deal.
    
10.  Prince Amukamara, CB, Bears. Age: 31. 
    Prince Amukamara turns 31 this offseason, so regression is coming soon. He played well this past year, but wasn't the same, talented corner of old. Amukamara also has an extensive injury history - he hasn't played a full season since 2013 - so he'll have to sign nothing but 1-year "prove it" contracts going forward.
     
11.  Mackensie Alexander, CB, Vikings. Age: 26. 
    Minnesota's secondary struggled in 2019, but don't look at Mackensie Alexander, who did well in the slot once again.
     
12.  Trae Waynes, CB, Vikings. Age: 28. 
    Trae Waynes has never lived up to his first-round billing, but he's been a solid, but unspectacular cornerback over the years. Time is running out for him to become a great starter.
    
     
     
    
     
13.  Mike Hilton (RFA), CB, Steelers. Age: 26. 
    Mike Hilton is a quality slot cornerback. He covers very well, but has a habit of missing tackles.
     
14.  Kevin Johnson, CB, Bills. Age: 28. 
    Kevin Johnson played well in the slot for the Bills this past season. He missed a bit too many tackles, but he covered slot receivers very well.
     
15.  Logan Ryan, CB, Titans. Age: 29. 
    Logan Ryan has been a solid, but unspectacular slot cornerback for the Titans over the past few seasons. He has missed just three games in his career.
     
16.  Tramon Williams, CB, Packers. Age: 37. 
    Tramon Williams struggled early in the year - he was torched by Chad Beebe in Week 2 - but he was stellar down the stretch as Green Bay's slot corner.
    
     
     
17.  Ross Cockrell, CB, Panthers. Age: 29. 
    Ross Cockrell isn't a very good tackler, but he tends to cover very well. He struggled through a quad injury in the middle of 2019, but did well otherwise.
     
18.  Javien Elliott, CB, Panthers. Age: 27. 
    Javien Elliott didn't play much to start the year, but he was a bigger part of the defense as the season progressed. He performed rather well.
     
19.  Art Maulet (RFA), CB, Jets. Age: 27. 
    Art Maulet, no relation to Art Vandelay, stepped into the lineup because of injuries late in the year and performed admirably.
    
     
     
20.  Jalen Mills, CB, Eagles. Age: 26. 
    Jalen Mills didn't have a positive 2019 campaign because he was coming off a foot injury that caused him to miss nearly two months of action. He should improve in 2020 with better health.
     
21.  Daryl Worley, CB, Raiders. Age: 25. 
    Saying that Daryl Worley was one of the top cornerbacks on the Raiders' roster last year isn't exactly a compliment, but that was the case with Worley, who is only 25.
     
22.  Josh Norman, CB, Redskins. Age: 32. 
    Josh Norman was one of the worst cornerbacks in the league last year. He didn't look like he belonged in the NFL, so it wasn't a surprise that he was benched. I don't think it's impossible for Norman to rebound in 2020, so he's worth a flier. However, it's more likely that Norman is completely done.
     
23.  Aqib Talib, CB, Dolphins. Age: 34. 
    Aqib Talib was a shell of his former self in 2019. At 34, Talib is likely finished in the NFL.
     
24. P.J. Williams, CB, Saints. Age: 27. 
25. Tramaine Brock, CB, Titans. Age: 32. 
26. Tye Smith, CB, Titans. Age: 27. 
27. Maurice Canady, CB, Jets. Age: 26. 
28. Michael Davis (RFA), CB, Chargers. Age: 25. 
29. Anthony Brown, CB, Cowboys. Age: 26. 
30. Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Texans. Age: 25. 
31. T.J. Carrie, CB, Browns. Age: 30. 
32. Nevin Lawson, CB, Raiders. Age: 29. 
33. Rashaan Melvin, CB, Lions. Age: 30. 
34. Bashaud Breeland, CB, Chiefs. Age: 28. 
35. Morris Claiborne, CB, Chiefs. Age: 30. 
36. Neiko Thorpe, CB/ST, Seahawks. Age: 30. 
37. Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, Falcons. Age: 30. 
38. Ken Crawley, CB, Dolphins. Age: 27. 
39. Briean Boddy-Calhoun, CB, Colts. Age: 27. 
40. Akeem King, CB, Seahawks. Age: 28. 
41. Leshaun Sims, CB, Titans. Age: 26. 
42. Marcus Sherels, CB/KR, Vikings. Age: 32. 
43. Walt Aikens, CB, Dolphins. Age: 29. 
44. Ryan Smith, CB, Buccaneers. Age: 26. 
45. C.J. Goodwin, CB, Cowboys. Age: 30. 
46. Phillip Gaines, CB, Texans. Age: 29. 
47. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Redskins. Age: 34. 
48. Dontae Johnson, CB, 49ers. Age: 28. 
49. Jason Verrett, CB, 49ers. Age: 29. 
50. Keith Reaser, CB, Chiefs. Age: 29. 
51. Antonio Hamilton, CB, Giants. Age: 27. 
52. Justin Hardee (RFA), CB, Saints. Age: 26. 
53. Chris Milton, CB, Titans. Age: 27. 
54. Torry McTyer (RFA), CB, Bengals. Age: 25. 

[TheRed]

Why is it okay to potentially hand someone at a plug and play position like RB a blank check, but Bradberry is entirely disposable?

If we are justifying letting talented players at crucial positions walk because we don't want to end up in "cap hell" again, then we are having some uncomfortable conversations about other fan favorites too.

[WOW!!]

19 minutes ago, MMA said:

Marty Hurney, is that you?

No it's reality.. Check in with me some times. .

[Matthias]

I don't really pay attention to the pro bowl, but has Bradberry ever made it to one?

[Riverboat Ron]

10 million, no more. After that point I'd rather draft a replacement.

[WOW!!]

16 minutes ago, TheRed said:

Why is it okay to potentially hand someone at a plug and play position like RB a blank check, but Bradberry is entirely disposable?

If we are justifying letting talented players at crucial positions walk because we don't want to end up in "cap hell" again, then we are having some uncomfortable conversations about other fan favorites too.

This is crazy.. Ppl here act like 2016 didn't happen or we don't have the face 3 of the best WR's in the league 6x a year... I'm sorry folks I'd rather pay the going market then watch 6 games of record breaking performances..

[WOW!!]

2 minutes ago, Riverboat Ron said:

10 million, no more. After that point I'd rather draft a replacement.

Let's not pay anybody and keep replacing whole position groups.. Let's just become Cinncy South??

[Matthias]

James Bradberry negotiating his contract....

 

 

[WOW!!]

33 minutes ago, micnificent28 said:

When a player success we dont want to pay them and when they fail we want to see them cut. Just who is worth keeping?

Sound like the Bengals...

[Khyber53]

Considering everything, including the projected growth in cap, I think we should jump at the chance if we can sign him at $11-12 million. The guy is good and he has valuable experience taking on the best receivers in the NFCSouth, which may be among the best in the entire league. NO, Atlanta and Tampa all have WRs that can be in the top 6 or 7 in the league. Couple that with the QB firepower here and letting a young, dependable Bradberry go could be a terrible idea.

The idea that he could end up in another NFCSouth team working against us should be worth the investment alone to avoid that.