The NFL’s free agency negotiation period, more commonly known as the “legal tampering” window, opened on Monday at noon ET. After the first few hours, there have been quite a few deals agreed upon between players and teams.
Those new deals won’t become official until Wednesday at 4 p.m., of course. But several of the free agent signings created some potential ripple effects for teams and their plans for the 2023 NFL draft at the end of April.
Here are a few early free agent deals that impact the draft plans for teams.
Dolphins: Jalen Ramsey trade at CB, signing LB David Long
Miami traded a third-round pick (No. 77 overall) and reserve TE Hunter Long to the Los Angeles Rams for Pro Bowl CB Jalen Ramsey. The Dolphins then paid Ramey a lucrative new contract.
The Dolphins now have just one selection in the top 80 picks. With Ramsey locked in, their need at CB goes away with their second-round pick. Their need at linebacker at that early pick also went away when Miami signed former Titans starter David Long.
Texans: Sign S Jimmie Ward and bring back WR Robert Woods, lost EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
The Texans have the No. 2 overall pick as well as the No. 10 spot from the Browns. Don’t expect a defensive back or wide receiver with either pick — not that there are many worthy candidates at either position.
Adding Ward to a young secondary that features 2022 rookies Jalen Pitre and Derek Stingley Jr., as well as the return of versatile reserve MJ Stewart, gives new head coach Demeco Ryans some valuable pieces to work with at DB.
Houston did lose key pass rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo. Signing Chase Winovich doesn’t sate that thirst for pass rush. The emphasis on adding another EDGE upticked–barring any more free agent moves at the position. Keep an eye on Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness or Myles Murphy from Clemson with Houston’s second first-rounder.
Bears: sign LBs T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, OL Nate Davis
Chicago has been very busy. After trading out of the No. 1 overall spot, the Bears signed a brand new LB room with premium additions Edmunds and Edwards. With Jack Sanborn playing well as a rookie, the Bears appear fully out of drafting an LB before the final rounds.
Plucking Nate Davis from the Titans solves one of the starting OL spots, likely right guard. Chicago still needs more help up front, but it’s not as urgent. They could target the offensive line with one of their three Day 2 picks (54, 62, 65).
Raiders: Sign QB Jimmy Garoppolo
The Raiders added Garoppolo for a significant financial commitment that could rule them out of the QB derby in the first couple of rounds. They could still have interest in a developmental-type QB at No. 7 overall, using Garoppolo as an expensive bridge. The only other QB on the roster right now is Chase Garbers, so the Raiders are still clearly in the market for a QB at some point.
Adding Garoppolo shifts the biggest need on offense to the line. Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski, Paris Johnson from Ohio State and John Michael Schmitz of Minnesota all make sense for Las Vegas early in the draft–but might be reaches at No. 7.
Commanders: Add OL Andrew Wylie and Nick Gates
The Commanders hold the 16th overall pick and the 48th overall in the second round as well. Adding Wylie, the starting RT for the Super Bowl champion Chiefs, and a solid interior piece in Gates solidifies the OL in Washington.
Push the offensive line down the need lists for the Commanders. Bringing in LB Cody Barton shouldn’t change their draft needs but does buy them some flexibility at linebacker to maybe wait a round later, if they desire.
Falcons: Sign S Jessie Bates, LB Kaden Elliss, DT David Onyemata
Atlanta spent considerable resources building up the middle-of-field defense. Bates greatly diminishes the need for the Falcons to address defensive back with their picks at eight and 45 overall, though few would fault GM Terry Fontenot for bringing in another cornerback at either spot.
Onyemata should take Atlanta out of the DT market with those early picks, too. Elliss is quietly a capable, versatile reserve LB that can allow more focus on addressing the glaring need at EDGE–perhaps more than once in the draft.
