NFL Draft Update: How Free Agency Day 1 Changed the Draft

Millions of guaranteed dollars were spent on Monday as the NFL’s official tampering window opened at noon eastern time. And that’s just how the Carolina Panthers spent at guard! *insert drum roll here*

Free agency coming before the draft has always been a complaint of many people, but it allows teams to check off needs with veteran players before attempting to improve the roster with incoming rookies. At least that’s the general idea.

But free agency does change the draft. And while we’re nowhere near done with even the first big wave of signings, it’s not too early to see how the initial movement of veteran contracts affects the first round.

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Chicago Bears: Pick Nos 1 and 9 overall

Signed: CB Jaylon Johnson, SAF Kevin Byard, RB D’Andre Swift

Draft Needs Update: No change here, at least at the top. The Bears are still expected to draft a quarterback at No. 1 overall (Caleb Williams) and will still likely select a wide receiver at No. 9 if one falls or trade out of that spot.

Washington Commanders: Pick No. 2

Signed: TE Zach Ertz, DE Dorance Armstrong, C Tyler Biadasz, LB Frankie Luvu, RB Austin Ekeler, G Nick Allegretti

Draft Needs Update: New owner Josh Harris wasted no time spending money in free agency, but the future of the Commanders hinges on getting it right at quarterback. All signs point to this being the landing spot for Jayden Daniels (LSU) with the No. 2 overall pick. Spending to beef up the offensive line at guard and center, plus adding a valuable slasher back, will help the rookie quarterback.

New England Patriots: Pick No. 3

Signed: OT Chukwuma Okorafor, TE Hunter Henry, WR Kendrick Bourne, RB Antonio Gibson, OG Mike Onwenu, QB Jacoby Brissett, LB Sione Takitaki

Draft Needs Update: The signing of Brissett basically signals, to me at least, that New England will take a quarterback at No. 3 overall and let them battle with Brissett for the starting job. The other moves are solid—like keeping Onwenu—but the lack of offensive infrastructure is still bothersome. New England needs a starting left tackle and multiple additions at wide receiver and running back to finish out free agency.