Jonathan Martin, the blocker at the heart of the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal, was traded to San Francisco while New England cornerback Aqib Talib agreed to a six-year NFL deal with Denver.

The moves were among the highlights of the first 24 hours of free agency in American football as teams began reshaping their rosters for the 2014 campaign.

Martin spent less than two seasons with Miami, walking away from the team last October to ignite a bullying scandal that led to linemate Richie Incognito being suspended for the remainder of the season and the NFL to launch an inquiry into the Dolphins' workplace activities.

An independent report last month concluded that Incognito and fellow linemen John Jerry and Mike Pouncey "engaged in a pattern of harassment" against Martin and two others.

"We feel that this move is in the best interests of all parties involved. We wish Jonathan well," said Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey.

The Dolphins, who landed an undisclosed NFL Draft pick in exchange for Martin, fired offensive line coach Jim Turner and athletic trainer Kevin O'Neill in the wake of the scandal.

Martin, a 2012 second-round pick of the Dolphins who started his first 23 NFL games, was excited about his second chance in the NFL, tweeting: "Opportunities are few in the NFL. Can't wait to get to work."

Much of the focus for clubs was in signing free agents and among the top players available was Talib, who made 35 tackles, four interceptions and 13 pass deflections last season for the Patriots.

His deal, reportedly for six years at $57 million (41m euros), was the second big-name departure from New England to Denver in as many years. The Broncos landed receiver Wes Welker last year.

Welker knocked Talib out of the American Conference final last January with a low but legal block that caused a knee injury. Denver went on to win and advance to last month's Super Bowl, where the Broncos lost to Seattle.

In 77 career games, Talib has 211 tackles and 23 interceptions, four of them returned for touchdowns.