3 Blockbuster Trades Get NFL Free Agency Period Off to Wild Start

Jimmy Graham is on the move, as the Pro Bowl tight end was traded to the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday. Getty Images

The National Football League rang in its new year with a bang — and some blockbuster trades.

At the strike of 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the NFL began its 2015 league year and free agency period. Not long after that long-awaited moment, teams sent shockwaves throughout the league and social media by swinging trades involving several Pro Bowl players and a former No. 1 overall draft pick.

The defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks pried three-time Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for two-time Pro Bowl center Max Unger and a first-round draft pick. According to the Seahawks, the deal is contingent upon Graham passing a physical on Wednesday.

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The Detroit Lions aquired five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata from the Baltimore Ravens. Pending a phsyical, the Ravens will receive a fourth and fifth round picks for Ngata and a seventh round pick, reported Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.

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In addition to officially announcing a previously reported trade sending All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso on Tuesday, the Philadelphia Eagles also came to terms on a quarterback swap. Chip Kelly’s Eagles agreed to ship quarterback Nick Foles, a 2013 Pro Bowl selection, to the St. Louis Rams for quarterback Sam Bradford in a deal that will also include draft picks.

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Got all that? Good.

Stay tuned for more because the free agent frenzy is likely just getting started.

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