NFL Free Agency: The First Weekend's Draft Impact

NFL free agency has only been open for a weekend, but the moves teams made have clearly had an impact on draft boards—especially among the top five. Here is a look at some of the weekend's big moves and their impact on the upcoming draft.

Kansas City trades for QB Matt Cassell:

The Chiefs fill their need at quarterback, freeing up their first round pick for an offensive tackle (Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe), nose tackle (BJ Raji), pass rusher (Brian Orakpo), or linebacker (Aaron Curry). While that has not exactly cleared things up, it is a major blow to whichever quarterback Detroit does not pick. Among the teams in the top 10, only San Francisco appears to be in a position to invest heavily in a rookie QB, and that is hardly a guarantee. The path for Matt Sanchez or Stafford to fall into the teens is much clearer—ironically the Jets, Chicago, and Tampa are at #17, #18, and #19; Trade Up?

Seattle signs WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh:

If the stress fracture did not cause Michael Crabtree to fall out of the top five, this signing may have done the trick. Look for Crabtree to fall to either Cincinnati, Oakland, or Jacksonville.

Cleveland trades TE Kellen Winslow:

By acquiring another first day pick, the Browns are in a much better position to take the best player available at #5, with a pass rusher being the most likely option. They are also in a good position to trade back into the first round if they want to as well. Don't forget the Jets were among the league's most aggressive team's during Mangini's tenure, and he now has the ammunition to do it again.

Washington signs DT Albert Haynesworth:

With a big body added to the defensive front, the odds of drafting an offensive tackle have gone up considerably. Finding a pass rusher is a close second after cutting Jason Taylor. And remember that the Redskins don't have a 2nd round pick.

Houston signs DE Antonio Smith:

Finding a defensive end to play opposite Mario Williams was the team's #1 offseason need. They can now turn their attention to fine tuning their offense or adding talent to the back seven on defense.

NY Jets trade for CB Lito Sheppard:

The door is now wide open for the Jets to take the best offensive skill position player available. They also stand to benefit from a more likely QB slide.

Tampa Bay signs RB Derrick Ward and WR Michael Clayton:

Most mocks have the Bucs taking a skill position guy, but aside from QB, the Bucs will now likely turn their attention to finding defensive personnel to fit their new scheme.

New England acquires a third second round pick:

Love the Pats or hate them, they know how to maneuver with the best of them. They now have four day one picks to re-stock a roster facing numerous 2010 free agents. Plus, they now have the cap room to be major players in the free agent market.

Chris Maier is Senior Editor for NFLDraft101.com. He can be reached at [e-mail].