2025 NFL draft takeaways from free agency signings, trades

It didn't take long for NFL free agency to hit full speed as big-time signings occurred before the negotiating window opened Monday. And all of these moves have ripple effects on the rest of the offseason as teams scramble to fill needs.

So, how did the action affect the 2025 NFL draft, which takes place in 40 days in Green Bay, Wisconsin? Has the hustle and bustle altered Round 1 projections? Which teams' draft agendas have come more into focus, and which ones are blurrier than ever? And how have the signings impacted which positions could be heavily pursued (or overlooked) in the draft?

NFL draft analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid came away with six big draft-related takeaways from free agency, from how certain teams might approach the first round -- including which teams might want quarterbacks, and when -- to the position groups most impacted by the free agent frenzy. What have we learned about how teams view the draft class and plan to navigate it? And which teams could be intriguing on draft night given the moves of the past week?

Let's begin with what free agency told us about the No. 1 pick in the draft and how the Tennessee Titans might now approach it.

What free agency means for:
Titans' No. 1 pick | QBs | WRs | RBs
49ers' outlook | Campbell and LBs

We still don't have clarity on what the Titans will do at No. 1.

Miller: After Tennessee signed free agent Dan Moore Jr. to play left tackle, folks on social media proclaimed the Titans were drafting Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick. Signing Moore shouldn't be the move that cements that. In fact, it's still unclear how Tennessee is leaning at No. 1.

The Titans haven't jumped into the veteran quarterback market to add competition for incumbent starter Will Levis, as new signee Brandon Allen doesn't serve that purpose. But the quarterback landscape has been slow to develop, with Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson still available as placeholders. There is the option of Levis returning as the starter with an improved offensive line. Drafting a quarterback isn't a lock, even if it remains a big need.

We can't forget that the Titans also released Harold Landry III, their top pass rusher from last season, and haven't yet replaced him. All options are on the table for Tennessee. The team's clear-cut needs at quarterback, wide receiver, defensive end and cornerback would make drafting Ward, Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter viable possibilities. And that's not factoring a potential trade, if the Titans find a team willing to make a strong deal. There wasn't one clear move that tipped what Tennessee will do.

Many QB-needy teams signed quarterbacks -- but none of the deals should keep those teams from exploring the draft's QB pool.

Reid: There are still plenty of QB questions beyond the Titans at No. 1. The Raiders traded for Geno Smith, the Jets signed Justin Fields and the Browns traded for Kenny Pickett. And the Giants, Steelers and Browns are all in the mix to add either Rodgers or Wilson. But none of the moves or potential future moves block these teams from selecting a quarterback early in the draft.

We could see some of these franchises double up with a short- and long-term answer at the position by also picking Ward or Colorado's Shedeur Sanders in April. The Falcons did that last year when they signed Kirk Cousins to a lucrative free agent deal, then used the No. 8 pick on Michael Penix Jr. less than two months later.

The Browns and Giants need a long-term franchise QB regardless of what happens in the QB market over the coming days. Both organizations have coaches and general managers desperate to show progress in 2025 to keep their jobs. The Giants might be the best pick to double dip -- they have struggled to find consistency under center. So, if Sanders is still on the board at No. 3 -- even if New York also lands either Rodgers or Wilson -- it could make sense to take him. And that might buy coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen more time, selling the idea of immediate improvement with a veteran quarterback and the opportunity to build the roster around a rookie first-rounder.

The Steelers could explore a similar scenario. Though they signed Mason Rudolph to a two-year, $8 million deal, the Steelers could sign a true short-term starter such as Rodgers or Wilson and then also draft a guy. Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart could be in play at No. 21, or Pittsburgh could wait until the third round to select someone such as Louisville's Tyler Shough or Alabama's Jalen Milroe.

Teams with big WR holes ... still have those holes.

Miller: The 2025 free agent wide receiver class wasn't exciting scouts, and that has played out with a slow-developing market. The Steelers traded for DK Metcalf, and the Seahawks replaced him by signing Cooper Kupp. But the absence of any top-tier receivers hitting the market -- the Buccaneers re-signed Chris Godwin and the Bengals franchise-tagged Tee Higgins -- meant slim pickings. And most teams that had critical wide receiver needs a week ago still do, and seemingly will wait for the draft to add at the position.

That's great news for Hunter, Missouri's Luther Burden III, Texas' Matthew Golden and Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan. And it could mean other members of this receiver class come off the board earlier than expected given the importance of the position and the number of teams with clear-cut needs early in the first round.

The first receiver could get drafted as early as No. 4, when the Patriots start a run of teams with a hole at the position. The Jaguars, Raiders, Jets, Panthers and Saints follow in order, and each franchise could draft a receiver in Round 1.

Teams with running back needs seem OK waiting until the draft.

Reid: Aaron Jones re-signing with the Vikings for two years has been one of the only multiyear deals given to a running back in free agency. Najee Harris (Chargers), Rico Dowdle (Panthers) and Javonte Williams (Cowboys) all inked low-money, one-year deals, and the lack of long-term commitments points to teams being excited about the 2025 running back class.

No surprise here. This is the deepest running back draft class since 2017. There were 30 running backs drafted that year, but this class could exceed that number. I have 32 guys with draftable grades at the position, with Ashton Jeanty (Boise State) and Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) holding strong Round 1 grades. But there's a lot of depth behind them, and we'll see a massive run on RBs on Day 2 of the draft.

This is the most important draft of Kyle Shanahan's 49ers tenure.

Miller: The 49ers will be unrecognizable in 2025 after seeing a slew of departures to remedy their cap situation. Gone are WR Deebo Samuel, DT Javon Hargrave, Edge Leonard Floyd, S Talanoa Hufanga, G Aaron Banks, OT Jaylon Moore, CB Charvarius Ward, LB Dre Greenlaw, RB Elijah Mitchell and even backup QB Joshua Dobbs. So with blue-chip players such as offensive tackle Trent Williams, running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk all returning from injury-plagued seasons, this is the most important draft of Shanahan's nine years as the 49ers' coach.

Coming off a 6-11 season after three straight trips to the NFC Championship Game -- the last of which they won before losing to the Chiefs in overtime in Super Bowl LVIII -- the Niners must replace the core players who departed while also drafting for future needs at left tackle and tight end. Shanahan and GM John Lynch have been average in the draft, and now that they're seemingly moving into quarterback Brock Purdy's second contract, they must hit on future starters in the early rounds. They have 12 selections in this draft, including four in the top 100.

Reloading on the fly isn't new to San Francisco. The 49ers had the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 draft, which they used to pick edge rusher Nick Bosa. They finished that following season in the Super Bowl. The window to win is still open so long as Bosa, McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle are healthy. But they will need instant-impact rookies from the draft.

At No. 11 overall, the 49ers should have an eye on the best available offensive lineman -- Will Campbell (LSU) would be a plug-and-play left guard who could eventually succeed Williams at left tackle. The Niners can target defenders on Day 2. Cornerback Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) and defensive tackle Joshua Farmer (Florida State) would fill two core needs.

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Jihaad Campbell could go earlier than expected.

Reid: Off-ball linebackers have surprisingly become hot commodities in free agency. Both teams that were just in the Super Bowl paid hefty prices to keep the centerpieces of their defenses in place, as Zack Baun returned to the Eagles on a three-year, $51 million deal while the Chiefs brought back Nick Bolton on a three-year, $45 million contract. The Jets also re-signed Jamien Sherwood before free agency after his big season. With the growing emphasis on the running game, teams showed they would spend on the position this offseason.

That bodes well for Campbell. The Alabama linebacker is a red-hot name in league circles. At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, his length and versatility are attributes that NFL teams seek in modern-day linebackers. He has great awareness and loose movements in coverage, and he shows can rush the passer off the edge and as a blitzer. He needs to improve his consistency with stepping downhill and shedding blocks as a run defender, but he has the potential to improve in those areas.

Campbell is my No. 14 player in this class and the prototype at the position. He could be drafted as high as No. 8 (Panthers), and his floor is likely No. 19 (Buccaneers). The Falcons at No. 15 make a lot of sense as a landing spot, as they need linebackers and players capable of rushing the quarterback.

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Bonus question: Based on free agency, which team is suddenly really intriguing in Round 1?

Reid: Las Vegas Raiders. After trading for Smith, they addressed their immediate answer at quarterback. Could they still select Sanders at No. 6 if he's there? It's a possibility. They could pair Sanders with Smith, the player many scouts have used as their pro comparison for him.

With holes remaining at running back, receiver, corner and in the trenches, the Raiders are in a true "best player available" situation. This could also be a spot for Jeanty. With a team that seems to want to win right now, Jeanty would be a plug-and-play running back who could revolutionize the Raiders' offense.

Miller: Chicago Bears. After shoring up the interior of the offensive line and adding two trench players on defense in edge Dayo Odeyingbo and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, the Bears have checked off their major roster needs. At pick No. 10, Chicago could go after Jeanty if he's on the board or might consider a receiver to replace free agent Keenan Allen.

Even a trade down the board to acquire more draft picks shouldn't be ruled out. And how about this scenario: With three picks in the top 50, could the Bears trade up the board if a player such as Abdul Carter or Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham slips?