NFL Analysis
3/11/25
8 min read
NFL Free Agent Signings, Trades With Biggest Impact On 2025 Draft
The legal tampering portion of free agency is underway, and it’s started with a bang.
The news came rolling in, starting on Sunday afternoon as the NFL inches closer to the draft. But what moves will have the biggest impact on the draft in April? Here is a quick look at the moves that could completely shake up the 2025 NFL Draft:
Signings, Trades With Biggest Impact on Draft
DK Metcalf Traded To Steelers For Pick No. 52
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally got their No. 1 receiver, acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. Metcalf requested a trade last week as he was looking for a new contract. Pittsburgh felt comfortable giving him a five-year, $150 million contract that makes him one of the league’s highest-paid receivers.
Pittsburgh has frequently been connected to several first-round receivers, including Emeka Egbuka and Matthew Golden. But after spending the No. 52 pick and that much cap space on Metcalf, it seems unlikely that it would use its top pick on another receiver. However, if George Pickens were to be traded before the draft, it would reopen the possibility of a Round 1 wide receiver in Pittsburgh.
Seattle is the more interesting team here, as it has moved on from Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in the last week. Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be the featured target moving forward, but the rest of the receiving corps needs a lot of work. They did ink Sam Darnold to deal, so at least they have something at quarterback.
Seattle desperately needs someone who can play on the outside and stretch defenses vertically, so it could be in the market for a receiver with one of their top three selections (No. 18, No. 50, and No. 52.). Look for the Seahawks to be connected with a bunch of early-round receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Bears Acquire Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and Drew Dalman
The Chicago Bears got a head start on free agency by trading for not one but two starting offensive guards. The first move was acquiring Jonah Jackson from the Rams and then turning around and trading for Joe Thuney, a four-time Super Bowl champion. The guard spot was a major issue for Chicago last season and with Teven Jenkins walking in free agency, it was arguably their biggest need on the roster.
On Monday, the Bears continued to invest in their offensive line even further, locking up Drew Dalman to a big deal. Dalman was the top center on the market, and the Bears made him one of the highest-paid interior offensive linemen in the league.
Now that the interior offensive line is fixed, the Bears can draft freely in Round 1 and beyond. And that puts them squarely in a position to select Ashton Jeanty, the draft’s top running back, at pick No. 10. Ben Johnson wants to have a strong rushing attack, and the fact that they were willing to commit big money to two older guards signals their plans in the draft.
It’s far from a lock that Jeanty will even be available when the Bears pick at No. 10, but he has to be on the short list of names they consider with that pick. It’s worth mentioning that Chicago spent big money on Dayo Odeyinbo and Grady Jarrett early on Monday, which might take it out of the running for a defensive lineman at that spot. Expect to see Jeanty to the Bears at No. 10 in every single mock draft moving forward, whether that is correct or not.
Jets Sign QB Justin Fields To 2-Year, $40M Deal
It’s no secret that the Jets wanted to add a bridge quarterback this offseason. Their interest in Justin Fields only grew louder as the week went on. Early on Monday afternoon, the Jets agreed to terms with Fields on a two-year that will guarantee him $30 million in the next two seasons.
This is far from a franchise quarterback contract, but it does give the Jets a young quarterback with some athleticism to help make the offense work. While this shouldn’t take them out of the quarterback market in the draft, it sure feels like the Jets won’t be selecting one with their top selection.
Instead, expect them to use the No. 7 pick to continue rebuilding the defense under Aaron Glenn. The Jets want to be a strong, physical defense that utilizes the run game on offense to keep possessions down, and there could be some high-level talent available for them when they are on the clock.
However, the idea of the Jets selecting someone like Shedeur Sanders with that pick doesn’t make a lot of sense now that Fields is on the roster. Instead, look for them to be interested in the next tier of quarterbacks (Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, Tyler Shough) on Day 2 of the draft.
Patriots Sign Several Impact Defensive Players
The New England Patriots entered the free-agent period with the most cap space of anyone in the NFL, so it wasn’t a surprise to see them spend it early.
However, it was a bit of a shock to see them target older defensive players such as Harold Landry, Carlton Davis, and Robert Spillane. They did lock up Milton Williams, who was arguably the most sought-after free agent on the market, so it’s hard to be too critical.
But what is apparent is that the Patriots wanted to load up on veterans on defense so that they could spend their early picks addressing the offense. The Patriots own the No. 4 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and they have been connected to Will Campbell (LSU) and Armand Membou (Missouri) with that selection.
Bringing in Morgan Moses to be their starting right tackle makes it even more likely that the Patriots will be a tackle at No. 4.
It's also worth noting that the Patriots did not sign a big-name receiver on the first day of free agency despite being “in” on Chris Godwin. Picking a receiver at No. 4 can’t be ruled out entirely, but the tackles are much better prospects and that is the expected direction for the Patriots in April.
49ers Loses Two Starting Offensive Linemen
This was always going to be a transitional year for the San Francisco 49ers, and that has played out so far in free agency. They just didn’t have a lot of room under the cap to make moves, and that’s why the Deebo Samuel trade played out the way it did. However, multiple starting offensive linemen were lost in free agency, which might not have been expected.
The first domino to fall was Jaylon Moore leaving for the Chiefs on a two-year, $30 million deal. Moore performed well when filling in for Trent Williams, but there just wasn’t a spot under the cap for an expensive swing tackle. Instead, he’ll now protect the blindside of Patrick Mahomes as the Chiefs try to rebuild their offensive line.
But Moore wasn’t the only offensive lineman to leave. Aaron Banks, the starting left guard, signed a massive deal with the Packers to make him one of the league’s highest-paid interior players.
Banks was the 49ers' second-round pick during the 2021 NFL Draft, and he has since started 43 games for the 49ers. While he’s always been viewed as an average NFL guard, it's still a loss for the 49ers, as no one on the roster is expected to replace him.
With Trent Williams going into his age-37 season, the 49ers have to think about addressing the offensive line early in the draft. At pick No. 11, there is a chance that one of Will Cambell or Armand Membou is available at that pick.
Josh Simmons is another name that has to be mentioned, but expect the 49ers to be linked to several offensive tackles early in the draft, considering how free agency has played out so far.
