How Recent Signings and Cuts Affect 1st Round of NFL Draft

Besides the NFL Combine, Free Agency is the other major event in the pre-draft schedule. It is a time for teams to turn over their roster in an attempt to find that perfect locker room chemistry needed to be successful. Winning franchises re-sign key players, and bolster their depth for another championship run. Poor teams will either try to coax good players with overpriced contracts and promises of future success or have to search the bottom barrel for stop gap players. All the while fans for are eagerly awaiting that one big-time signee who will save their beloved franchise from the depths of despair.

Welcome to Free Agency 2010.

As a draft nut, I can’t help but wonder how these signings in the first week of free agency will affect a team’s direction heading into the Draft.

For simplicity, I’ll discuss teams based on their draft order, starting with teams selecting in the top 10.

Let’s get to it.

Detroit Lions

Does Detroit Still Like Suh? (NFL.com)

Contrary to recent years, the Lions were very active from the start of free agency,  plugging holes with starting caliber athletes at DE, DT, WR, and CB.

Does the signing of pass-rushing 3-technique Corey Williams mean that Detroit wants to bypass the top two DT prospects (Gerald McCoy and Ndamukong Suh), and go in a different direction? Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams will be paid around $15 million for next year. Does the team want to invest a #2 pick in another D-lineman who will command an even larger contract?

Although the franchise has made it known that they wish to trade out of the #2 pick, they may have no other choice than to select the best player available, which is definitely one of the two DT’s.

Washington Redskins

Mike Shanahan continued his purge of old blood with the cutting of several long-time veterans. Losing  LG Randy Thomas and LT Chris Samuels leaves a giant void on the left side of the offensive line.  If Sam Bradford is gone (which is almost definite), I don’t see Washington having any other choice than to get a player like Russell Okung.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Desperate for pass rushers, Jacksonville went out and got themselves one of the best on the market, Aaron Kampman. I doubt they will invest another first-round pick in a DE after this move. Furthermore, they can look to address some other position of need…a game-breaking running threat, or a ball-hawking safety to counter the pass-happy offenses in the AFC South, perhaps?

Denver Broncos

Letting Brandon Marshall walk makes the signing of a number 1 receiver a priority in this Draft.  But on the bright side, signing NT Jamal Williams and DE Jarvis Green fill huge holes along the D-line. Many believed those were two of the prime target positions for this Draft. That is no longer the case.

Miami Dolphins

Signing Karlos Dansby nixes any possibility of the Dolphins going after Alabama ILB Rolando McClain. However, the team cut Jason Taylor and Joey Porter. So, it seems that they want to get an OLB early, maybe as soon as round 1. Possibilities include Brandon Graham, Sergio Kindle, or maybe someone like Ricky Sapp a bit later on.

By the way, the experiment with S Gibril Wilson failed miserably. Targeting a safety is not out of the question.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans have 6 key players/leaders to replace: C Kevin Mawae, DE’s Kyle Vande Bosch and Jevon Kearse, CB’s Rod Hood and Nick Harper, and veteran OLB Keith Bulluck. The loss of those two DE’s reinforces the need for more pass rushers. They are still in good position to draft a very good DE in round 1.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Thoughts of the Steelers drafting a safety early on likely were ended with the re-signing of Ryan Clark and the addition of Will Allen for depth.

Atlanta Falcons/Houston Texans

Picking up Dunta Robinson was a big-time move for a team desperate for help in the secondary. However, the Texans need to find a new shutdown cornerback through the draft.  Kyle Wilson, Devin McCourty, or even Joe Haden could be enticing at pick #20.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals’ poor passing attack was exposed in the playoffs this season. So, they made it a priority to bolster that part of the offense with a player like Antonio Bryant. They still could use some more help from a guy like Jermaine Gresham. But the need is not nearly as great anymore.

Baltimore Ravens

Making a splash in free agency isn’t usually the way of Ozzie Newsome. Yet, the chance to upgrade a mediocre passing attack with a premiere receiver was too good to pass up. Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth could make the Ravens offense special. I expect them to turn their attention back to adding youth to the defense, where the team’s identity truly lies.

Arizona Cardinals

It seems like Arizona dumped half of their team in free agency. Neil Rackers, Karlos Dansby, Chike Okeafor, Antrell Rolle, plus a great deal of depth players were all dropped, presumably in a youth movement. They managed to stop the bleeding with the signing of Kerry Rhodes. But they have their work cut out for them in the draft and free agency. With so many holes, they could go in any number of directions, including TE, LB, S, OT, or CB.

San Diego Chargers

In order for a 3-4 defense to be effective, it needs a dominant NT, like the one they once had in Jamal Williams. Guys like Dan Williams or Terrence Cody will be prime targets.

New York Jets

Earl Thomas (NFL.com)

Kerry Rhodes was a good, but not elite player for the Jets.  I could definitely see them eying a guy like Earl Thomas from Texas, if he falls that far. Or, what if they made another quantum leap into the top 10 and selected Eric Berry? I know it’s unlikely, but it’s just a thought.

New Orleans Saints

We all know the Saints are strong on offense. They lost some starters on defense (Darren Sharper, Scott Fujita, Charles Grant). They should bolster that side of the ball if there is value.  Maybe a Daryll Washington from TCU would be a good option for them.