The New York Giants made a tough decision when they announced the release of cornerback James Bradberry. Bradberry, a Pro Bowler back in 2020, was set for an inflated cap hit in 2022, with New York saving $10.7 million by cutting the 28-year-old.
While it was a difficult decision for the Giants, it could be an easy one for other teams, as Bradberry can still play. The Kansas City Chiefs are one team that could pounce on the free agent corner, who would give their youthful secondary another experienced name after the departure of safety Tyrann Mathieu.
After drafting Trent McDuffie in the first round, signing Bradberry would be a nice way to finalize a solid NFL offseason of additions to the back end of the defense. Here's why the Chiefs should sign Bradberry after his release from the Giants.
3 Reasons Chiefs Must Sign James Bradberry
3. The Chiefs play in a pass-heavy division
Kansas City just so happens to play in a division with two teams, the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders, who ranked inside the top-seven of the NFL in passing yards per game last year. The other team, the Denver Broncos, went out and traded for nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson. The point? Even after signing Justin Reid and drafting McDuffie, the Chiefs must continue to attempt to improve a defense that allowed the sixth-most passing yards per contest in 2021. Signing Bradberry would help the Chiefs do just that.
2. Bradberry would add experience to the Chiefs' cornerback room
The most experienced corner on the Chiefs' roster has played three seasons in the league. As it stands, the Chiefs are going to rely on rookie Trent McDuffie for a tremendous amount of snaps in 2022. While McDuffie is skilled, it's rare for a rookie corner's first season to be without struggles. Enter Bradberry, who has been in the NFL for six seasons and has made 91 starts across those campaigns. He's a seasoned NFL veteran, though at age 28, he still has plenty of football left in the tank. Being the veteran in the room is nothing new to Bradberry, who occupied the role of leader for New York in their cornerback room. Likely looking to win after his release from the rebuilding Giants, the Chiefs would make a ton of sense as a destination for Bradberry.
1. Bradberry can still play at a high level
Make no mistake, Bradberry is not in a decline. If it was possible, the Giants would have kept the underrated corner, though their cap situation forced them to make a difficult choice. The former Giants and Carolina Panthers corner made the Pro Bowl back in 2020, tallying 54 tackles, three interceptions, a pair of forced fumbles and 18 passes defensed. Bradberry's play did slip a bit in 2021, as he finished with just a 62.8 grade from Pro Football Focus. Per Pro Football Network reporter Aaron Wilson, the Chiefs, who engaged in trade talks with the Giants, are expected to be suitors when he hits free agency as well. Kansas City should do more than just be suitors: they should go out and sign Bradberry.
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