2020 NFL free agency ; five big winners during legal tampering period

Free agency will officially begin 4pm (ET), March 18 but we’re already starting to see big moves during the legal tampering period.Let’s take a look at $209m worth of deals across five big moves from Day 1 as the league slowly changes shape.

Patriots to Dolphins:  LB Kyle Van Noy agrees $51 Million-four year deal

“I feel like my game has been very consistent the last couple of years and I want to continue that if it’s with [the Patriots] or with someone else.”,Van Noy said as per Tyler Sullivan of CBS in late January.Van Noy is a fantastic move for the Dolphins, especially because they’ve also agreed to a deal with Bills’ pass rusher Shaq Lawson. The two-time Super Bowl champion will be extremely useful in Miami, able to play at linebacker or as an edge rusher. 

He leaves New England following 51 regular-season games and totaling 250 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and 3 defensive touchdowns.

Titans to Browns: OT Jack Conklin agrees $42 Million-three year deal

“To be able to come back, to be healthy, to be back confident, I felt like I definitely got back to my old ways,” Conklin said at the end of last season according to Jim Wyatt of Titans Online. “I definitely felt good and felt like I got better this year and became an even better player. I am very happy with how this team [Titans] performed and to be a part of a team that had the leading rusher in the NFL.”, Conklin continued.He’s an elite and young talent but comes with risk. His only available in FA because of an injury history which includes tearing an ACL in 2017. The 2018 season was also marred by his ACL tear recovery, a week in the concussion protocol and suffering another knee injury.Conklin is indeed a top-20 free agent option and the Browns have picked up a major upgrade at right tackle. He was integral to Derrick Henry’s 2019 NFL rushing title and Ryan Tannehill’s resurgence.  

Panthers to Giants: CB James Bradberry agrees $45 Million-three year deal

“I feel like I’m a top corner in this league, and I want to be compensated as such.”, Bradberry said at the end of last year speaking to Max Henson of Panthers.com.“This year I feel I was consistent throughout the whole year. That was my whole goal – to be consistent for my teammates. They expect me to shut down whatever receiver I’m on.”, he continued.Giants’ GM Dave Gettleman drafted Bradberry back in the 2016 NFL draft in the second round while at the Panthers. Since then, he has started all 60-games in his career amassing 8 interceptions, 47 passes defended, 279 tackles, seven for a loss and three sacks. Bradberry’s 6-1, 212 pound size will be extremely useful for the Giants who were desperate for a top corner. He’s been solid for the Panthers and will be out to prove he’s worthy of being considered elite, which his new contract suggests.

Bears to Raiders: LB Nick Kwiatkoski agrees $21 Million-three year deal

“He’s a guy that took major advantage of the opportunities given to him,” Bears’ coach Matt Nagy said about Kwiatkoski as per Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com earlier this year.The young and talented Kwiatkoski played all 16 of Chicago’s games last season and started half of them.After Danny Trevathan suffered a season-ending elbow injury, Kwiatkoski stepped in to start the final seven games. He’s also been a great contributor on special teams for the Bears.Kwiatkoski posted a career-best 68 tackles with three sacks, an interception and a safety. He had the second-lowest mark among all qualified defenders, 4-yards per target, according to Pro Football Focus.His numbers likely would have been much higher if not for Trevathan on the Bears’ roster and he’ll get the opportunity to prove so at the Raiders.

Eagles to Lions: OT Halapoulivaati Vatai agrees $50 Million-five year deal

“Yeah, Big V has handled it extremely well,” said Eagles head coach Doug Pederson as per 247sports.com before the 2019 season.“We’re still cross-training him at guard and tackle and giving him some reps outside, but he’s getting comfortable in there. It’s a new position”. 

After a rocky start to his career he has shown a level of consistency and versatility. Primarily a depth player at the Eagles, he did play all 16 games last season mostly as a swing tackle. Vaitai has started only four games in the past two years, but was a starter for the last 10 games in the 2017 season including starting left tackle in Super Bowl LII. Vaitai played through 477 snaps in 2019, primarily at right tackle but can also line up at guard.Among tackles that played at least 20% of their team’s offensive snaps last season, Big V ranked ninth-best offensive tackle in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. Expect him to be a key piece in the Lions’ O-line. 

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I'm just a 30-something year old who loves sports, but I ain’t flexin’. I’m a completely amateur sports writer ‘journalist’ inspired by US and UK sports covering basketball, soccer, American football and more. I’m not a pretender, it’s a hobby and if I sound like I’m half street half corporate talk that’s my holistic approach. Peace bro.