James Anderson

After he was unseated for a starting role in Carolina with the emergence of Luke Kuechly, Anderson signed a one-year with the Bears and will start at the outside spot opposite Lance Briggs. Anderson has been historically productive as an IDP by amassing huge tackle totals, but durability has occasionally been an issue and his performance appears to be slipping as a result. He could be displaced by season's end if rookie Jon Bostic proves to be a quick study.

The Virginia Tech product has been an exceptional IDP the last two years, totaling 275 tackles (199 solo), five sacks and three interceptions since becoming a full-time starter in 2010. The problem, though, is it’s hard to see him sustaining that tackle pace since he’ll compete with both ninth overall draft pick Luke Kuechly and Jon Beason (who is returning from a season-ending Achilles’ tear) for tackles, and that duo figures to pile up a hefty total itself. Kuechly in particular is a concern after hoarding comical tackle numbers at Boston College. Still, Anderson should remain one of the better linebacker IDPs in 2012 due to his own effectiveness and the Swiss cheese defensive line in front of him – even with Kuechly and Beason each racing past the triple-digit tackle mark, the exceptional frequency with which opposing ballcarriers get to the second level against the Panthers defense means there’s room for all three to produce.

It’s possible he’s a one-year wonder, but Anderson was generally quite convincing in his first full season as a starter in 2010. In his fifth season out of Virginia Tech, Anderson went off for 130 tackles (101 solo), 3.5 sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles. The 130 tackles were exactly twice as many as his previous career high, and his 11 tackles for loss indicate that Anderson isn’t just some garbage-time feeder. The Panthers kept Anderson in town with a new five-year contract, which means his situation remains stable.

Should get a crack at the starting strongside linebacker position with Thomas Davis likely to miss the season.

Veteran entering camp on the roster fringe. Anderson will be a special teams contributor and reserve linebacker if he sticks with the Panthers for a fourth season.

Anderson will serve as a reserve linebacker and special-teams player for the Panthers, while his chances of starting in the event of an injury have been reduce with the selection of Dan Connor during the third round of the 2008 draft.

Depth guy at linebacker.