Carl Bradford
| Linebacker | Arizona State
| 6'1" - 241 lbs.

JSOnline Blog Green Bay -The Packers have selected linebacker Carl Bradford from Arizona State in the fourth round with the 121st pick overall in the NFL draft on Saturday.

Love it!!!! Quite a steal at 121! Projected as an R2.

STRENGTHS: Sports a compact, powerful frame. Highly instinctive, physical and versatile defender who splits his time between defensive end, outside linebacker and inside linebacker. Good initial quickness off the snap out of the three-point stance, showing enough speed to cross the face of the offensive tackle, as well as an effective club, rip and spin moves to break free.
Surprisingly effective when run toward due to his quickness and use of leverage, bending to take out the knees of oncoming blockers and creating a pile. Adept at slipping blocks. Locates the football quickly and shows an explosive burst to close emphatically.

Only occasionally asked to drop back into coverage, but shows at least fair fluidity and speed when doing so. Alert player with a history of making big plays.

WEAKNESSES: Played in a highly aggressive scheme that may have maximized his big-play ability while minimizing his faults. Lacks ideal physical traits to remain as an outside pass rusher in the NFL, where he starred for the Sun Devils.

Can be engulfed in the running game (whether playing linebacker or defensive end) and does not appear to possess ideal arm length to break free once blockers latch on.

Smooth accelerator off the edge but doesn't possess great speed. Can play out of control, at times, dropping his head to deliver the knockout blow and occasionally whiffing on open-field tackles. Can allow his emotions to get the better of him; benched for the second half against Oregon State Nov. 16 after a physical altercation with teammates on the sideline.

COMPARES TO: Brandon Spikes, Patriots - Like New England's free agent inside linebacker, Bradford is an instinctive, physical and tenacious defender who, unfortunately, has some size and athletic limitations.

OVERVIEW: Bradford has an impressive blend of power and explosion, rushing the passer with a violent, ferocious temperament. He will be viewed by some as a classic 'tweener, but is more than the sum of his parts.

Size, athleticism and instincts project Bradford best to inside linebacker in the NFL - a position he only occasionally played for ASU. However, his ability as a personal protector in the punting game does increase his value.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1737364/carl-bradford

I'm cautiously optimistic with this pick.
Admittedly I didn't know a lot about him coming into the draft, but he seems to be a high motor guy with a bit of a mean streak we could use.
Sounds like he can go inside, just don't know about his coverage skills.

Watch all the batted down balls musccy...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqCmUevqAJ4

Then there's this, one game v. USC, and if you stick with it you can see how disruptive Bradford is. Check out the pick at 6:41:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJVj7R3MBBU

I remember him against wisconsin, he seems like a decent tackler, and he will seem to add some intimidation and beef up the middle of our lb group...again just don't know if he can cover and other scouting I've read is his pass rush sills are marginal, he relied a lot on scheme to get pressure.

Another ILB who hasn't proven he can cover.

And he's a tweener!
Capers must LOVE this guy!

For the round to value ratio this is, by far, my favorite pick so far.
Only one I really like so far.

uffda udfa;275995For the round to value ratio this is, by far, my favorite pick so far.
Only one I really like so far.

great value.

Lindy's Sports says

grade 7.5 out of 9 = above average starter.
projected 2nd or 3rd round

summary of strengths and weakness too long for me to type all.
Most has been said by others as well.

compares to Brandon Spikes Patriots.

In the 4th the odds of getting a starter are already quite low, so this is a very good pick.

I hope he can contribute to STs while learning to take a spot in the middle of the field.

nerdmann;275991Another ILB who hasn't proven he can cover.

And he's a tweener!
Capers must LOVE this guy!

Just because Mike Mayock or some other talking head says he projects as an ILB doesn't mean that's where he's going to play. At least right away.

A Packers front office guy said he'll likely start out at OLB but that a transition to ILB is possible.

Love this pick particularly because he is versatile. He will fit nicely into the LB group with the other elephants :)