Raiders: Could we see Las Vegas make a trade for James Bradberry?

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 14: James Bradberry #24 of the New York Giants during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on September 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 14: James Bradberry #24 of the New York Giants during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on September 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 03: James Bradberry #24 of the New York Giants intercepts the ball intended for Deonte Harris #11 of the New Orleans Saints during a game at the Caesars Superdome on October 03, 2021, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 03: James Bradberry #24 of the New York Giants intercepts the ball intended for Deonte Harris #11 of the New Orleans Saints during a game at the Caesars Superdome on October 03, 2021, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Why it makes sense a trade for Bradberry may happen.

What’s important to note right off the bat is the Raiders’ reported interest in Bradberry came before Rock Ya-Sin was acquired in a swap for edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue. Last season, Ngakoue wasn’t quite a Pro Bowler, but with his double-digit sack total, he was made a Pro Bowl alternate.

Simply put, the chances Dave Ziegler trades a Pro Bowl alternate for someone he doesn’t intend to start are slim to none. While Rock Ya-Sin is almost guaranteed to be slated as an immediate starter, that doesn’t mean Trayvon Mullen is; This is where Bradberry would come in.

Both former Raiders’ general manager and head coach Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden were fans of Mullen, but it doesn’t mean the new pairing of Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels are. It also doesn’t help that Mullen had his worst year as a pro in ’20, and only moderately improved the following season while being able to appear in just 5 contests.

In addition, both Ya-Sin and Mullen are on the final year of their respective contracts, and the odds aren’t very high that both of them get paid by the Raiders next season.

If you’re hoping Las Vegas makes a move for Bradberry, that’s the good news. Now, the reasons why it just doesn’t seem likely.