NFL 2019: The best early free-agency moves

The start of the 2019 NFL offseason started with a bang as the new league year kicked off on Wednesday, March 14.

This comes after two days of teams legally tampering with free agents prior to the new league year beginning. Once that window opened, all the potential deals negotiated during the tampering period were finalised, including multiple trades and key free agent signings. Meanwhile, another large wave of signings were completed that were not renegotiated once the 4pm window arrived.

While the offseason has just begun, here are three of the early moves that finalised last Wednesday that look great on paper.

Odell Beckham to the Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants pulled off a blockbuster trade leading up to the new calendar year that sent All-Pro wide receiver Odell Beckham to the Browns, while a first and third-round draft pick, as well as safety Jabrill Peppers, were sent to the Giants. When you look at this trade, it ultimately works out well for both teams.

The Browns land another playmaker to team up with Jarvis Landry and give Baker Mayfield one of the top wide receiver duos in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Giants, who may be at the beginning of a rebuild – including a need for a young franchise quarterback – land multiple picks to help them build through this year’s draft.

Antonio Brown to the Oakland Raiders

This looks great on paper and one-sided as well, as the Raiders were the clear winner of this trade, avoiding having to part ways with a first or second-round pick. Despite his off-field issues, Brown is still one of the top wide receivers – if not the best – in the NFL and should give the Raiders a big-time threat in their passing game that will help set up the run as well as open up the field for other wide receivers, including free agent Tyrell Williams, who signed on Wednesday.

Despite acquiring two picks, the Steelers walk away with just a third and fifth-round pick for possibly the best wide receiver in the NFL.

Earl Thomas to the Baltimore Ravens

Despite losing multiple players in free agency, including linebacker C.J. Mosley, the Ravens made a big-time move on Wednesday, signing safety Earl Thomas to replace Eric Weddle, who they released prior to the new calendar year. Thomas, who is coming off a season-ending injury last term, will join a Ravens defense that ranked near the top in the NFL during last season and a secondary that includes cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Marlon Humphrey. Despite being talented, the Ravens have lacked a true ball hawk safety since losing Ed Reed over five years ago.

Only time will tell which moves were great and which moves were bust, but for now, these are three that should have a major impact on the 2019 NFL season.