It’s the day that every football fan has been waiting for: the unofficial start of NFL Free Agency. Usually, it’s headlined by free agents but not this year. Four mega trades went down on Monday and all involved big names. A running back, a tight end, a defensive lineman, and a wide receiver were involved in these deals. These trades surely got everyone buzzing and there might be more to come this offseason.
Four Trades Headline The Start Of NFL Free Agency
DeAndre Hopkins For David Johnson
This was the first blockbuster to go down and it shook the whole NFL world. Before this trade went down, there were little rumblings on DeAndre Hopkins‘ availability but no one thought he would get moved. Well, it happened. The Houston Texans traded Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for David Johnson. Draft picks were also included in the deal. Many believe, as they should, that this was a huge steal for the Cardinals. Bill O’Brien was appointed the general manager while still coach. He was already gaining heat from his play calls and now he gets heat for the trades he has made. Not only did the Texans get worse, but no one knows what direction they are going in.
Hayden Hurst For Draft Picks
Earlier in the week, the Baltimore Ravens used the franchise tag on Hayden Hurst and many knew he was going to get moved. Monday was the day as he gets traded to the Atlanta Falcons (replaces Austin Hooper) along with a 2020 4th round pick for the 2020 2nd round pick and 2020 5th round pick. The Falcons don’t seem to be going anywhere but they replace a talented tight end for another talented tight end.
DeForest Buckner For First-Round Pick
The Indianapolis Colts will send the 13th overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers for DeForest Buckner. Buckner was a huge part of last year’s 49ers team that went to the Super Bowl. He is coming off of a year where he had 7.5 sacks. The 49ers get another first-round pick and the Colts greatly improve that defensive line in hoped to win the AFC South championship.
Stefon Diggs For Draft Picks
The finals trade of day one happened late on Monday and that was Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs getting traded to the Buffalo Bills for their 1st-round pick, a 5th-round pick, a 6th-round pick, and a 2021 4th-round pick. Diggs has voiced his frustrations with the Vikings offense this past season and now he gets what he wants. A hinted at the idea of a trade today but if finally happened. The Bills gave up a lot of draft compensation but Diggs is a pretty good receiver.
Final Drive
As these deals went down today, there was a lot of speculation of other players being moved. Odell Beckham Jr and Todd Gurley were the big names potentially on the move but they stay put for now. Other names have been thrown out there that are getting everyone excited. It was a busy day in both the free-agent market and the trade market. It’s going to be a crazy next couple of days as well so make sure to follow the 2020 NFL Free Agency Tracker to keep up with these crazy deals.
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