Trade Grade: Las Vegas Raiders trade DE/EDGE Yannick Ngakoue to the Indianapolis Colts.

A familiar name that has been traded to multiple different teams in the past few years is DE/EDGE Yannick Ngakoue and he is once again on the move. The Las Vegas Raiders struck a deal via trade and now Ngakoue will be playing for the Indianapolis Colts next season.

Indianapolis Colts Acquire: DE/EDGE Yannick Ngakoue
Las Vegas Raiders Acquire: CB Rock Ya-Sin

Indianapolis Colts Side

The Colts needed pass rushing help as Kwity Paye struggled a bit last year. Ngakoue can be utilized to help Paye develop and be a solid partner. Ngakoue had a resurgence last season, recording 10 sacks, and the Colts could afford to acquire him. There is one bit of information that a lot of analysts are forgetting. Yannick Ngakoue has a ton of knowledge on the Colts defensive system. How? Gus Bradley is the Indianapolis Colts new defensive coordinator for next season. Last season, Bradley was the Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator. He and Yannick have a good relationship during there time in Vegas. It should continue as both are now a part of the Colts. That is a very big reason why this trade makes sense for the Colts. Rock Ya-Sin was not being heavily utilized and his contract was expiring next season. I doubt the Colts were going to be able to re-sign him to another deal.

Las Vegas Raiders Side

Well, this just made the Chandler Jones signing make a lot more sense. The Raiders are undergoing a change ever since the team decided to hire Josh McDaniels as the Head Coach. This is the same old tactic that I see former Belichick disciples use. Belichick disciples always bring in former New England Patriots players to improve the new team. In history, that has not worked out so well. Look at how that destroyed the Detroit Lions when Matt Patricia was the Head Coach. The point is, it never ends well and McDaniels is falling from the same trap again.

But Ngakoue was not going to fit on this defense with Chandler Jones on the roster, so why not get some value for him? The Raiders needed to get help in secondary and Rock Ya-Sin is an upgrade from what they had last season. Looking deeper, the Raiders also save $7 million in cap space by trading Ngakoue and can use that saved money to afford Chandler Jones.

Grades for Yannick Ngakoue Trade
Indianapolis Colts: B+
Las Vegas Raiders: A

A win-win deal here and I got to say, it was tough grading who has leverage in the deal. I have to give the leverage to the Raiders in this trade. Now the Raiders can afford Chandler Jones and improve the secondary with Rock Ya-SIn. The Colts get pass rushing help and a player who already knows the defensive system Gus Bradley will be running. Great move by Colts GM Chris Ballard and Raiders GM Dave Ziegler.