The New York Giants were unable to come to a trade agreement for cornerback James Bradberry and with salary cap issues breathing down their neck, ultimately decided to release him. Bradberry has been one of the better corners in the league over the last few years and will surely have several teams interested in his services.
The Raiders are apparently among those teams, and they do have an in with Bradberry, as Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk noted:
The Raiders are reportedly in that category. Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that the Raiders have interest in Bradberry.
Along with a need at corner, the Raiders have a connection to Bradberry that could help pave the way to a deal. Their defensive coordinator Patrick Graham held the same job with the Giants for the last two seasons, so Bradberry wouldn’t have a lot of catching up to do after joining them in the middle of May.
Familiarity is significant in the NFL, and Bradberry being extremely comfortable with the scheme of new Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and what would be expected of him could very well appeal to Bradberry.
In two seasons with the Giants, Bradberry totaled seven interceptions and 35 passes defended, ranking in the top-5 in passes defended in both seasons. Bradberry will have many teams after him, but this would surely fit a need for the Raiders.
The team ranked dead last in interceptions last season with just six as a team and lost both Casey Hayward and Brandon Facyson in free agency. Adding Rock Ya-Sin could help, but more reinforcements in the secondary are sorely needed, and Bradberry would undoubtedly be an upgrade.
There will be some competition for him, but the Raiders would be very wise in making a solid effort at bringing in Bradberry to help solidify the backend of their defense and continue to add to what has overall been an excellent offseason.
