How 3 Big Moves in NFL Free Agency Are Rewriting the 2025 NFL Draft
The NFL offseason is like a high-stakes chess match. Teams move and trade their pieces across the board, hoping to come up with a formidable strategy and gain a competitive edge in the upcoming season.
With free agency kicking off a few weeks ago, the league’s landscape has already changed significantly. Many teams have made bold moves that will shape their approach to the NFL Draft in late April. Fans are excited to see their new teams perform, and analysts are scrambling to adjust their mock drafts.
Below, we’ll examine three of the biggest moves in early free agency and how they may influence the 2025 NFL Draft.
How 3 Big Free Agency Moves Will Shake Up the NFL Draft
Seahawks Trade Geno Smith & Sign Sam Darnold
The Seattle Seahawks have officially moved on from veteran quarterback Geno Smith and found his replacement in former Vikings QB Sam Darnold.
This opposes what many thought the Seahawks' strategy would be, considering that they hold the 18th spot in the first round of the draft. With Darnold now under center, Seattle will likely use their high pick to fill in the gaps in other positions. For instance, trading away star wide receiver DK Metcalf and not re-signing longtime playmaker Tyler Lockett leaves them thin at the spot.
The management is now likely to target a wide receiver in the first round, with Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka and Stanford’s Elik Ayomanor as potential pickups.
Alternatively, they may opt for an offensive lineman, considering their struggles in the past couple of years. With a deep class of offensive linemen available in the upcoming draft, the Seahawks may show interest in Ohio State’s Josh Simmons or NDSU’s Grey Zabel.
Steelers Trade for DK Metcalf
The Seahawks trading away DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers is one of the biggest free agency stories thus far. Before this move, the Steelers were expected to target a wide receiver in the upcoming draft, but since DK Metcalf is now in the mix, they’ll likely focus on bolstering their defense or finding their next QB.
Selecting a top-tier cornerback like Georgia’s Jahdae Barron or ECU’s Shavon Revel Jr. would make sense at the moment.
With only Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson signed for the 2025 season so far, don’t be surprised if the Steelers opt to take a QB in the first round. While Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are likely out of reach unless they trade up, don’t be surprised if the Steelers target someone like Jaxson Dart, possibly pairing him with Aaron Rodgers (with most NFL betting sites having the Steelers as the heavy favorite to land the former MVP) or another veteran QB to give him a year to learn.
They must make it count within the first round since their second-round pick was included in the draft package for DK Metcalf.
Another possibility for the Steelers is to reinforce their running game. Najee Harris will surely remain the leading RB, but the Steelers could add depth behind him in the later rounds with someone like Arizona’s Cam Skattebo or Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins.
Titans Focus on O-Line & Make No Significant QB Moves
The Tennessee Titans entered free agency looking to address their offensive line. By signing Dan Moore Jr. and veteran Kevin Zeitler, the Titans solidified key spots in the trenches.
However, this leaves them thin at the QB position. Journeyman backup Brandon Allen won’t cut it, so the team’s inactivity at quarterback signals a clear plan to pick up a franchise-leading prospect in the draft where they get to pick first.
It seems that their sights are set on Miami’s Cam Ward, whose sheer talent and great mobility make him an ideal choice to lead the Titans into a bright future.
What This Means for the Draft
Free agency has once again proven its big impact on the NFL Draft. Some teams that were once expected to prioritize certain positions have now pivoted, creating a ripple effect across the draft board.
The Seahawks, Steelers, and Titans made headlines with their blockbuster trades and signings, but this will also affect how other teams look at the draft. As they all adjust to the latest changes, we could see more draft-day trades with franchises scrambling to address their shifting priorities.
This ultimately makes the draft more exciting and unpredictable, with fans eagerly waiting for late April to see how things shape up.