2012 NFL Draft: 5 Teams With Draft Freedom After Filling Holes in Free Agency

Several teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have made big splashes during the NFL's free agency period. 

By being active during the NFL's version of a garage sale, the five previously mentioned teams have given themselves freedom in the upcoming 2012 NFL draft. 

Here is how the moves each of the five teams made affects their draft situations.

Philadelphia Eagles

For months, many expected the Eagles to eventually use a top-pick on shoring up the linebacker position. Luke Kuechly of Boston College and Arizona State's Vontaze Burfict—albeit the latter was very early on—were easy-to-connect options.

But after a smart swap with the Houston Texans, in which the team gained former Pro Bowl middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans, the Eagles no longer have to invest a top pick on addressing a position that haunted them in 2011.

Philadelphia further expanded their draft freedom Wednesday, when they signed former Buffalo Bills left tackle Demetress Bell to help cover for the loss of injured left tackle Jason Peters. The Eagles should approach the draft next month without the burden of many pressing needs.   

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers were an easy team to put among those needing a receiver early in the draft, but savvy free-agent moves have freed up San Francisco as the draft approaches.

Adding Randy Moss gives the offense a vertical presence, even if he's on his last NFL legs and hasn't played since 2010, and Super Bowl hero Mario Manningham is a capable outside receiver that will allow Michael Crabtree to play more in the slot. As long as Moss doesn't flame out, those three receivers—plus Ted Ginn, who re-signed this offseason—should be more than enough for San Francisco to be explosive on offense in 2012.

There would still be nothing wrong with the 49ers going to the receiver well early in the draft, but given the moves they've made in the last month, they certainly don't have to.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have quietly put together a fantastic run in free agency. Not only did they wisely lock up cornerback Stanford Routt before Brandon Carr chased $50 million to Dallas, but Kansas City also went out and got a dominating right tackle in Eric Winston, and a perfect complement running back to Jamaal Charles in Peyton Hillis.

The two deals didn't cost the team huge money, either.

While the Chiefs still have holes to fill in the draft, free agency has allowed management the opportunity to get creative with how Kansas City goes about its business next month.  

Dallas Cowboys

Cornerback was a huge hole heading into the preseason, but inking Carr to a long-term deal gives Dallas the kind of top-level cover man they've lacked since Terence Newman was in his prime. The Cowboys could still take a cornerback high next month, but they've allowed themselves a chance to get by with what they currently have at the position.

Certainly, the team doesn't have to use a top pick there any longer.

The Cowboys also did well to lock up depth at middle linebacker in Dan Connor, who quietly produced a solid season a year ago, and a backup quarterback in Kyle Orton. 

With those holes mostly filled, the Cowboys now have options to play with early in the draft.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Did the Buccaneers overpay for the three players—Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks and Eric Wright—they acquired in free agency? Undoubtedly. But remember, this was a team that sat on free-agent money a year ago and watched it bite them in 2011. 

Spenders this offseason, Tampa Bay shored up weak spots at receiver, guard and cornerback. A receiver should no longer be an option at No. 5 overall, although the Bucs would do well to take cornerback Morris Claiborne if he got that far. 

In the end, however, the Bucs gave themselves a chance to draft a bunch of different positions—including a running back such as Trent Richardson—by being active in free agency.