B/R suggests Colts should trade for CB James Bradberry

The Indianapolis Colts have been busy when it comes to making trades this offseason and Bleacher Report is suggesting they should pull off one more before the 2022 NFL draft arrives.

As the New York Giants hope to unload the contract of cornerback James Bradberry, the Colts have been reported as a team with some level of interest in the veteran.

Ian Wharton of Bleacher Report suggests the Colts should trade their fifth-round pick this year and a 2023 sixth-rounder in order to get Bradberry before the draft.

The AFC’s arms race has created an urgency to continue stockpiling talent at key positions. Even one glaring weakness may be enough to sink an otherwise great team. The Indianapolis Colts, freshly off their wise move to acquire Matt Ryan for a mere third-round pick, must double-down and use their assets to push for a deep run in 2022.

General manager Chris Ballard has few needs left. Their addition of pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue could help a young unit create pressure on quarterbacks. On the back end of the defense lies a hole at cornerback.

The signing of Brandon Facyson was a shrewd move based on his quality play in limited time with the Raiders. Bolstering the position with a proven veteran such as James Bradberry would be ideal, though. Entering the last year of his contract, he would be much more impactful for the AFC South contender than the rebuilding Giants.

Indianapolis’ heavy zone defense is an excellent fit for Bradberry. The 28-year-old began his career in a similar scheme in Carolina and has developed over the last four years into an above-average starter. However, the Giants should want to store the $12.1 million they’d save from his $21.8 million cap hit if they trade him.

A handful of contenders should also be interested in Bradberry if the Giants are willing to eat some salary. Here, the Colts, who are sitting on $21.7 million in space, give up a little less and absorb his whole contract.

Taking on that massive salary-cap hit is likely why the Giants haven’t been able to move Bradberry as easily as they would have hoped. The 2020 Pro Bowler would hypothetically replace Rock Ya-Sin, who was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders.

In 2021, Bradberry allowed a 65.2% completion rate, 12.2 yards per reception, eight touchdowns and a 100.3 passer rating on 92 targets, per Pro Football Focus.

It will be interesting to see if the Colts make any moves ahead of the draft and given their need at cornerback, nothing is off the table.

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