The 2015 NFL calendar year has begun with a bang, not only because of hefty free agent contracts and franchise tags, but because of an unusual amount of blockbuster trades. The NFL isn't typically a trade-heavy league, largely because of the time it takes for new players to incorporate themselves into new systems.
This early in the year though, there's plenty of time to get high-impact stars up to speed. Here are the biggest deals that have gone down so far.
Philadelphia Eagles Acquire: LB Kiko Alonso
Buffalo Bills Acquire: RB LeSean McCoy
This trade turned heads, largely because McCoy is arguably the best running back in the NFL, and inarguably one of the most explosive rushers. McCoy's track star speed and unmatched elusiveness allowed him to spring huge runs once he reached the second level of NFL defenses, where defenders were often hopeless in one-on-one situations.
Chip Kelly's Eagles run a fast-paced offense that leans heavily on the running game, so dealing away an elite back didn't make sense.
It seems that Kelly valued the salary cap savings more than McCoy's talent, and plans on churning out good rushing totals even if they downgrade. On the flip side, the Eagles received a high-caliber linebacker who made a tremendous impact in Buffalo as a rookie in 2013 before missing all of last season with a torn ACL. The Eagles were sixth in the NFL against the run in 2014, and should be even better with a healthy Alonso.
Eagles Grade: B. The savings plus Alonso were good return for an expensive asset at a devalued position. The running game will suffer some, but not as much as many think.
Bills Grade: B. The Bills had a top defense even without Alonso last year, and should remain excellent with Rex Ryan as the head coach. LeSean McCoy makes any offense better, and he becomes a second elite playmaker for an offense that's limited at QB.
Detroit Lions Acquire: DT Haloti Ngata
Baltimore Ravens Acquire: 2015 4th and 5th Round Picks
The Lions couldn't afford to keep their monster in the middle, Ndamukong Suh, a.k.a. the biggest reason they had the No. 1 run defense in 2014. Ngata is a nice replacement though. He will not have the same impact of Suh, but he is similarly adaptable to the inside or outside and is even bigger than Suh. At 31 years old and coming off a PED ban, age and durability are questions but he will be a key cog in keeping that D afloat.
The Ravens sorely needed the cap relief, and will use the extra picks to add depth and get younger.
Lions Grade: B+. Suh was too important to be replaced by someone unproven. Ngata will give them 75 percent of Suh's production, which leaves them still very difficult to run on.
Ravens Grade: C. Picks are nice, but the Ravens are far from the defensive power of their heyday. Ngata is a high-end player and he won't be easily replaced.
Seattle Seahawks Acquire: TE Jimmy Graham, 2015 4th Round Pick
New Orleans Saints Acquire: C Max Unger, 2015 1st Round Pick
Trading away Jimmy Graham is a WOW move. The Saints for years have been all about their passing game, and with Drew Brees getting older, it's surprising that they'd ship away his best receiving threat. The Saints' cap situation is fairly dire though, and Graham is an expensive asset that has been prone to malfunctioning for chunks of the season.
By acquiring Unger, New Orleans beefs up the interior of the offensive line and in theory will give Brees more time to make use of his remaining weapons. They also will get a second first-round pick, which can be used on a talented wide receiver to complement last year's pick of Brandin Cooks.
The loss of Unger will be a blow for the Seahawks, but they have a far more mobile QB in Russell Wilson who won't break down under pressure. Once Wilson is on the loose outside the pocket, Graham will be terrifying opposing secondaries.
Seahawks Grade: A. Graham is the first proven playmaker Wilson has had in the passing game in his young career, and he has already been to two Super Bowls. That's a frightening thought for the rest of the league. Losing Unger hurts, but getting an elite option for a playoff-ready team can't be passed on.
Saints Grade: B-. Unger is a nice addition to the line for sure, and the pick is cool, but aside from Brees the Saints just lost their best player. Brandin Cooks can't carry a receiving corps, and the New Orleans offense is sure to take a step back.
Philadelphia Eagles Acquire: QB Sam Bradford, 2015 5th Round Pick
St. Louis Rams Acquire: QB Nick Foles, 2015 4th Round Pick, 2016 2nd Round Pick
This trade is a bit bizarre, as neither of the players moving in this deal have done a whole lot in the NFL. Bradford offers promise sure-he was the No. 1 overall pick in 2010-but he's been stamped as brittle and has never quarterbacked a winning team.
Foles was lights out in 2013. He tossed 27 touchdown passes and just two picks and made Chip Kelly look like football's version of Albert Einstein. Last season he regressed and clearly lost Kelly's favor. The Eagles re-signed Mark Sanchez over Foles, and now have dealt him away. Odd trade, and could signal a future move involving the draft, and a prospect named Marcus Mariota.
Eagles Grade: C. Bradford probably has more upside, but he hasn't been special in the NFL and by including the 2016 2nd rounder, the Eagles paid a premium for his 2010 draft spot. That was five years ago, and should have been erased. This grade will rise if Bradford is used to pick up Mariota in the draft.
Rams Grade: C. The Rams are a QB away from contention, and while Foles might be good enough to bring them to the playoffs, there are signs that he isn't. Only time will tell, but this doesn't move the needle much.
New York Jets Acquire: WR Brandon Marshall, 2015 7th Round Pick
Chicago Bears Acquire: 2015 5th Round Pick
Part of the Jets' offensive woes last season, aside from a putrid QB situation, was a lack of playmakers. They moved on WR Percy Harvin midseason, but by then the playoffs were a pipe dream. In acquiring Marshall, the Jets snagged a pass-catcher who had reeled in 100 or more passes for two straight seasons before his injury-shortened 2014 campaign.
Some will point out that Marshall wasn't as impactful in two seasons with the Dolphins when he wasn't working with Jay Cutler, but he was still a good bet for 80 grabs and 1,000 yards.
Jets Grade: B+. Marshall has personality/character issues, and without a top passer he likely won't get to 100 catches. He is still a No. 1 caliber receiver, and he did not cost much to bring aboard. It's a bold move for a team in need of one.
Bears Grade: D. Maybe Marshall became a locker room headache, but he's far too talented, and had way too much chemistry with Cutler to be severed for a fifth round pick.
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