In 2014, third-year linebacker Nigel Bradham finally became a full-time starter for the Buffalo Bills, and was one of the most pleasant surprises on the personnel side of the equation. Playing the vast majority of defensive snaps, Bradham had a career year, posting 104 tackles, 2.5 sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles, and seven defended passes on the season.
Buffalo will have 2013 rookie sensation Kiko Alonso back in the fold heading into 2015, and Preston Brown is extremely well-regarded by the front office and the coaching staff that remains in place, but that isn't stopping the Bills from wanting to extend Bradham's contract, according to Yahoo! Sports reporter Rand Getlin.
The #Bills are interested in extending LB Nigel Bradham's contract, per a league source. Rising star coming off a strong season.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) January 5, 2015
Bradham was a fourth-round pick out of Florida State in 2012. He saw limited time as a starter both in 2012 (under Dave Wannstedt) and in 2013 (under Mike Pettine), but Alonso's absence last season, the switch to a new defense under Jim Schwartz, and Bradham's own monumental leap forward as a player led to a breakout campaign. His four-year rookie deal is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2015 league year, which helps explain why the Bills are so keen on locking him up early.
The Bills have much bigger fish to fry at the moment - starting with figuring out who their next head coach is going to be - but keep this tidbit in mind once the dust settles.