The Carolina Panthers drafted cornerback James Bradberry in the second-round of the 2016 NFL Draft. A year after playing in the Super Bowl, the Panthers placed a franchise tag on cornerback Josh Norman in an effort to secure his services for an additional year. However, late in the spring just prior to the draft, then general manager Dave Gettleman rescinded the offer immediately making Norman a free agent.
He signed with the Washington Redskins days later with a contract that made him the highest paid player at his position. The move caused Gettleman to draft Bradberry and two other defensive backs (Daryl Worley and Zach Sanchez) with three consecutive picks during that year’s draft.