Biggest Free Agency Moves With Massive Impact on NFL Draft

NFL free agency is in full swing, with numerous big signings and trades already going down.

With the combine occurring back in March and the draft not happening until late April, free agency has the capability to change a lot of mock drafts overnight.

Some teams with obvious needs that seemed like clear fits for certain prospects originally became less obvious after addressing the need via signing or trade.

There are four players that stand out in that regard, where their move to a certain team or even their leaving a team changes how the teams involved will approach the draft.

1. Evan Engram to the Broncos

Tight end Evan Engram signing with the Denver Broncos isn’t shocking, but it does have a significant impact on mock drafts going forward.

The top two tight end prospects, Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, were often mocked to the Denver Broncos at pick No. 20.

That may no longer be the case after this signing, and could even indicate both players will be long gone by pick 20 anyway.

More news: How Evan Engram Transforms Broncos Offense With Bo Nix

2. Myles Garrett Back to the Browns

This move may not change who the Browns pick at No. 2 if they go best player available, but the Cleveland Browns resigning edge rusher Myles Garrett does shake things up a bit, especially after he requested a trade not too long ago.

Widely considered a top-two player in the draft, edge rusher Abdul Carter seemed like a clear option for the Browns, but now that isn’t quite the case.

This move seems to indicate that the Browns have a plan that seemed to change Myles Garrett’s mind after requesting a trade, and that plan is possibly to draft a quarterback second overall, which could be Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders.

3. DK Metcalf to the Steelers

The trade of wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks to the Pittsburgh Steelers could cause a shift in both teams’ draft strategies.

Originally the Steelers were often mocked to draft a receiver at pick No. 21, such as Luther Burden, Emeka Egbuka, or Matthew Golden.

Now, the Seahawks at pick No. 18 will instead be mocked to draft a receiver, something that likely never happened before moving off of both Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

4. Geno Smith to the Raiders

Another Seahawks trade, Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders causes more uncertainty for Shedeur Sanders in the NFL draft.

The Raiders have the No. 6 pick in the draft and were originally often mocked to take a quarterback.

While they still could take a QB to sit behind Smith, that seems way less likely now, and the more likely outcome is the Raiders take the best player available in the first round and take a young QB in a later round.

More NFL news:

Rams Are Officially Releasing All-Pro WR Cooper Kupp

Russell Wilson Could Land With Surprising AFC Team Amid Free Agency Rumors

Top Trade Destinations for Patriots Quarterback Joe Milton

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