Carolina Panthers Draft Profile: Bradlee Anae will be a hidden gem

The Carolina Panthers need help bad when it comes to their linebacker situation. In the later rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft, they can find a hidden gem in Bradlee Anae out of Utah.

If there is anything to know about what the Carolina Panthers need to address in the 2020 NFL Draft, is it’s all about their defense. As they do their best to add better talent to positional groups like their defensive line and secondary, they need to be creative when it comes to their linebacker situation.

As a group, the Panthers’ defense hasn’t been good at all over the last few years. They have been abysmal when it comes to stopping the run and last year proved they were also pretty bad in pass coverage. The Panthers’ defense lacks an overall identity and well, if they have a draft class that heavily focuses on that part of the team, it’ll help the team bounce back.

It’s expected that the first few draft picks the Panthers have will be invested in addressing their defensive line and other areas of need. In the later rounds, however, that’s where general manager Marty Hurney will need to shine in order for everything to come together. This is where he can potentially find a hidden gem in linebacker Bradlee Anae of Utah.

Bradlee Anae will be a hidden gem on the Carolina Panthers defense

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At 6-3 and 265lbs, Anae will be a true force to reckon with thanks to everything he brings to the table. He has an incredible motor and very good situational awareness to almost always be able to make a play when needed. Anae made a name for himself as being a speedy pass-rushing linebacker that always found a way to be disruptive against opposing quarterbacks. This is exactly what the Panthers’ defense needs for the future.

STRENGTHS

Anae is a solid linebacker and proved he could be a difference-maker on the gridiron when his number was called. In four years, he totaled 131 tackles, 29.5 sacks, and had fans in a frenzy whenever he was able to get to the quarterback. New defensive coordinator Phil Snow will enjoy seeing Anae thrive as a pass-rushing linebacker used in sub plays, especially on 3rd down situations to take advantage of his unique skill-set.

If the Panthers are able to land Anae in the later rounds of this year’s draft, he will be a hidden gem of a pick. Has the attributes to contribute immediately this upcoming season as high-quality depth. Anae is extremely versatile as he has played in numerous positions on the defensive line besides linebacker to do whatever is needed that his team asks of him. Through proper coaching and training, Anae can be developed to be a starting linebacker in the future.

WEAKNESSES

Anae thrives against scrambling quarterbacks but not so much against the run. It’s an area of opportunity for him to work on this aspect of his game as he’ll struggle with this early on. Will need to develop better moves against blockers at the pro level as he’s limited in what would effectively work.

When it comes to tackling in open space, Anae overthinks things and tries to do too much which results in not getting the job done. He has been known to misjudge plays or use his speed ineffectively to where he’ll be nowhere near the football. Anae will need to heavily work on the mental aspect of being efficient if he’s to develop into an all-around consistent linebacker.

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PANTHERS PREDICTION

The Panthers will take a chance on Anae in Round 5 of this year’s draft. They know he’ll be a work in progress developmental kind of player but is worth investing a few years in to mold him into being a starter. Anae’s potential is very high as he’s coachable and eager to help out in any way possible for a defense to thrive.

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