The 2022 NFL Free Agency Period Has Arrived
The NFL free agency period opened up, as the new league year started on Wednesday March 16th. This week has been really crazy and unexpected as it usually is this time of the year, big superstars have been moved around the league that most did not see happening.
I want to talk about the most important blockbuster trades that have occurred recently in the NFL, the first one we should talk about is the the Russell Wilson trade that sent him to the Denver Broncos. The 33-year-old Wilson was traded from the Seahawks to the Broncos in exchange for a huge haul, including two first-round draft picks, two second-rounders, a fifth-rounder, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive tackle Shelby Harris and tight end Noah Fant. Now Denver is looking to be in contention for a Super Bowl run, while the Seahawks now have to look for an answer when it comes to the QB position by either drafting one in the NFL draft or sign one in free agency. Overall, for both sides this trade seemed to be fair considering they both got what they wanted in return, now they can move on and plan for the future.
The second blockbuster trade I want to talk about is the Deshaun Watson trade sending him to the Cleveland Browns, The 26-year-old Watson was traded from the Houston Texans after wanting to be traded for over a year. Cleveland will surrender three first-round draft picks — including the No.13 overall pick in next month’s NFL Draft — as well as a 2023 third-rounder and a 2024 fourth-rounder, in exchange for Watson and a 2024 fifth-rounder. Now this trade is a little more difficult to judge because of Watson having a no trade clause in his contract, so therefore he got the final decision on where he would be traded too. Considering that and his 22 civil- lawsuits he is still facing, Nick Caserio did the best he could do after the Browns offered Watson a new contract that he just simply was not going to decline. As part of the move, Watson gets a new, fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. Now, the Texans can move on from all this drama that has been lingering over the team for the last year. Watson has a new beginning with his desired team, and the Texans hand the keys to Davis Mills to see his full potential.
Lastly, the third trade I want to talk about is the Davante Adams trade that sent him to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Green Bay Packers have traded WR Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders for a first round pick (No. 22 overall) and a second round pick (No. 53 overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft. General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the transaction Friday. This is the trade most did not see coming, after Aaron Rodgers re-signed most people thought Adams would return to his beloved teammate. Putting the franchise tag on Adams was not a move that he liked so much and he wanted something different in his career. At the end of the day he teams up with his college teammate QB Derek Carr, which he has a great relationship with so I am sure that also helped him make this decision. In the past there has been speculation of them teaming up in Las Vegas well now it has happened so the future is bright for the Raiders having one of the best WR on their roster, For the Packers side they have Rodgers for two more years and have awarded him with a huge contract but now the questions come in on who will replace Adams. Obviously, nobody can replace him but they will be looking to strengthen their WR core through free agency, and the draft.
