Free-agent factor: How key signings will affect draft

The frenzy of the first week of free agency had just as much impact on how the opening rounds of the NFL Draft will shake out as the scouting combine or pro days.

Of course, not every team crossed off its most pressing needs solely through free agency. Detroit won't pass up on Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh or Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy after trading for defensive tackle Corey Williams; Green Bay still needs depth at left tackle despite re-signing Chad Clifton; and the Rams didn't bring in A.J. Feeley to be the quarterback of the future.

Picking up Aaron Kampman eases the Jags' need to reach for a pass rusher. (Getty Images)

Chicago made the biggest initial splash by signing defensive end Julius Peppers and running back Chester Taylor, but the Bears don't have first- or second-round picks because of their trades for quarterback Jay Cutler and the late defensive end Gaines Adams last year.

But the following signings join some significant trades in affecting the way Thursday and early Friday nights of the newly configured draft April 22-24 will unfold.

Trades/free-agent signings affecting the top of the draft:

DE/OLB Aaron Kampman signed by Jacksonville: Given the lackluster career of former first-round pick Derrick Harvey so far, it seemed reasonable for the Jaguars to go out and secure veteran pass-rush talent instead of gambling on another young player. The four-year, $28 million deal ($11 million guaranteed) Kampman signed means the Jaguars can pass on defensive end (Georgia Tech's Derrick Morgan was a potential option) and now focus on finding a quarterback of the future, safety help or once again attempt to get a playmaking receiver with the 10th pick in the first round.

The Packers figured they would lose Kampman to a 4-3 team because his strength lies as a hand-down pass rusher. Although Brady Poppinga and Brad Jones were serviceable late last year when Kampman was injured, and despite their needs on the offensive line and secondary, this free-agent loss means picking another linebacker in the first or second round to complement Pro Bowler Clay Matthews III on the outside is a distinct possibility.

DE Justin Bannan, DE Jarvis Green and NT Jamal Williams signed by Denver: Broncos coach Josh McDaniels and GM Brian Xanders signed veteran talent to take over for last year's long-in-the-tooth 3-4 defensive linemen, who appeared to wear down as the season progressed. Getting Green (four years, $20 million, $7.5 million guaranteed) and Bannan (five years, $22 million, $10.5 guaranteed) to start on the ends and Williams (three years, $16 million, $7 million guaranteed) up the middle makes for a stout rotation (sans released Kenny Peterson) and reduced the Broncos' need to use a high pick along the defensive line.

ILB Karlos Dansby signed by Miami: Jettisoning Akin Ayodele and bringing in Dansby (five years, $43 million, $22 million guaranteed) settles the situation inside, probably keeping the Dolphins from picking Alabama's Rolando McClain in the first round. Considering the release of Joey Porter and the aging of Jason Taylor, Miami could still look at an outside linebacker in the first two rounds.

The Cardinals now must fill that hole in the middle of their 3-4 scheme by either signing a veteran (maybe ex-Steeler Larry Foote) or using one of their first two picks on the position.

FS Antrel Rolle signed by Giants: Bringing in Rolle (five years, $37 million, $15 guaranteed) to shore up a porous pass defense should also make Kenny Phillips a stronger player when he returns from injury and allows coach Tom Coughlin and the team's scouts the chance to bolster their front seven -- as they seemingly prefer to do early in the draft no matter their talent situation.

DE Kyle Vanden Bosch signed by Detroit: Vanden Bosch's former defensive coordinator in Tennessee, Jim Schwartz, stood outside his house at midnight to bring him to the Lions. Even though he's 31 years old, Vanden Bosch signed for four years and $26 million because his strength and hustle should give Detroit a pass-rush force and all-around player on the edge it has sorely lacked. A second- or early third-round pick probably would have been used on the position without this move.

CB Dunta Robinson signed by Atlanta: The Falcons were so desperate for cornerback talent that they traded a draft pick for Rams castoff Tye Hill last year. Locking down Robinson for six years ($57 million, $22.5 guaranteed) builds strength there and creates a major hole in the Texans defense. Houston has other concerns (including running back and safety) to address early in the draft, but using at least a second-round pick at the position seems likely.

WR Antonio Bryant signed by Cincinnati: The Bengals released Laveranues Coles and didn't want to wait for one of their other receivers to step their game up to complement Chad Ochocinco. The four-year, $28 million deal Bryant agreed to made it clear how much Cincinnati coveted his services to help stretch the field. It should also open things up for RBs Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott.

Meanwhile, the Bucs are now without a proven downfield playmaker. Reggie Brown was acquired from Philadelphia. Brown wasn't overly productive the past two seasons, but the Bucs paid a low price (2011 sixth-round pick) for the services of a veteran who decreases the need to address the position out of the gate in the draft. They will still search for additional weapons for young quarterback Josh Freeman, but getting Brown is a good piece of the puzzle.

NT Vince Wilfork re-signed by New England/NT Casey Hampton re-signed by Pittsburgh: Two of the four franchised nose tackles re-upped with the teams that drafted them soon after free agency began. Wilfork's five-year, $40 million contract ($25 million guaranteed) and Hampton's three-year, $21 million ($11 million guaranteed) deal shows how important the position has become in the 3-4 scheme, as does the fact that Green Bay (Ryan Pickett) and San Francisco (Aubrayo Franklin) placed the franchise tag on their men in the middle. These teams did not want to fight with San Diego, Miami and others looking for nose tackles like Tennessee's Dan Williams, Alabama's Terrence Cody and North Carolina's Cam Thomas come draft weekend.

WR Anquan Boldin acquired by Baltimore from Arizona/Ravens re-sign Derrick Mason, sign Donte Stallworth: Joe Flacco was one of the happiest men in Baltimore after Boldin's arrival from Arizona. Stallworth only signed a one-year contract and is coming off a one-year suspension, so how effective he'll be remains to be seen. But combined with Mason's re-signing, the Ravens can turn their draft focus toward finding a stud cornerback as well as depth at tight end and on the defensive line.

RB Chester Taylor signed by Chicago: Yes, Adrian Peterson is the bell cow of the Vikings run game and Minnesota will also look to upgrade its secondary and interior offensive line in this draft. But losing Taylor to Chicago (four years, $12.5 million, $7 million guaranteed) may lead them to take a back earlier than expected because of the importance of a perimeter, pass-receiving foil for Peterson in the offense.

ILB Gary Brackett re-signed by Indianapolis: The Colts made it clear how they value the heart of their defense, signing Brackett to a five-year, $33 million contract ($12 million bonus) on the first day of free agency. Keeping Brackett in the fold means they don't have to seek a new middle linebacker in the first round. Now GM Bill Polian can find offensive tackle help to keep future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning upright or a defensive end to take over for released Raheem Brock in the first couple of rounds.

OLB Scott Fujita signed by Cleveland: The Super Bowl champion Saints want to improve their ability to stop the run and defend the pass, which makes the strong-side linebacker an important position to address. Even if they try to build up the front four by selecting a defensive tackle in the first round, getting someone to fill in for Fujita (three years, $14 million, $8 million guaranteed by Browns) should be next on the priority list.

Chad Reuter is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.