Most of the big names on the open market have found a new home, though there are still a couple of high-profile free agents who could impact teams' offseason plans.
The draft has already had to be drastically altered by the coronavirus outbreak. Initially slated to take place in Las Vegas with prospects riding boats to a stage on the Bellagio fountains, the draft is now set to be a low-key event closed to the public.
But how will what happened in free agency alter how teams approach their draft selections? Here we look at the biggest dominoes to fall in free agency and how they will likely impact the draft.
The DeForest Buckner trade
One of the most surprising moves of the free agency was the San Francisco 49ers deciding to pay Arik Armstead, who enjoyed a breakout season in 2019, over fellow defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, who was promptly traded to the Indianapolis Colts for the 13th overall pick.
All-Pro Buckner has been a more consistent performer than Armstead and his departure is a blow to a 49ers defensive line that was the best in the NFL last season.
Armstead will earn an average of $17million a year with the 49ers while Buckner's contract is worth $21m a year.
It is a move that made financial sense for a Niners team in need of salary cap space, but the return they received from Indianapolis is what provokes the most intrigue.
The Niners now have two picks in the first round (13 and 31) and, with the former, they are well placed to land one of Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb and Henry Ruggs III, considered the top three wide receivers in the draft.
San Francisco made it to the Super Bowl without a true number one receiver. The prospect of the 49ers adding one to Kyle Shanahan's explosive offense is mouth-watering.
Brady to the Bucs, Rivers to the Colts
The biggest domino in free agency took some time to fall, but it did so 12 days ago when Tom Brady signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brady's arrival in Tampa Bay not only saw the Buccaneers move on from former first overall pick Jameis Winston, but it also took them out of the quarterback discussion in the draft.
With Brady under center, it is unlikely the Bucs will be focused on finding their quarterback of the future with the 14th overall pick.
Having traded their first-rounder for Buckner, the Colts - who had previously been regarded as potential quarterback suitors in the draft - signed Philip Rivers to a one-year deal following his Los Angeles Chargers exit.
The respective moves for Brady and Rivers indicate the Bucs and Colts are in win-now mode. The future at quarterback can wait for both of those franchises. If the Chargers, who select sixth overall, also decide to look to another position, it could mean a slide down the board for quarterbacks not named Joe Burrow or Tua Tagovailoa.
As a result of the late-career changes of scenery for the two veterans, the likes of Justin Herbert and Jordan Love could face a long wait to learn where their pro careers will start.
Yannick Ngakoue receiving the franchise tag
The knock-on effects of this decision are still to be revealed, however, given Ngakoue's desire to move on to pastures new, the star edge rusher receiving the franchise tag appears destined to have a significant impact on how the draft plays out.
Ngakoue does not want to play under the tag and has made it clear he has no wish to sign a long-term deal with the Jaguars.
By slapping the tag on him, the Jaguars ensured they can at least get something in return for Ngakoue, rather than losing him for nothing in free agency.
Unsurprisingly for a player with 37.5 sacks in four seasons, Ngakoue is said to have drawn trade interest from several teams looking to acquire him and sign him to a long-term extension.
The starting point for negotiations for Ngakoue would likely be a first-round pick. If he is to be traded, either before or during the draft, it will likely be a deal that shakes up the opening round.
DOMINOES STILL TO FALL
Jadeveon Clowney
Durability concerns and a lack of sacks appear to have depressed the market for the 2014 first overall pick.
The Seattle Seahawks are seemingly keen to re-sign Clowney, having traded for him last offseason.
However, no agreement has been reached and, if Clowney - one of the most disruptive edge rushers in the league when at his best - signs elsewhere, that could drastically impact the draft plans of an NFC contender.
Cam Newton
Newton's slide from 2015 MVP to being released by the Carolina Panthers is one of the more dramatic falls from grace in recent NFL history.
The fact the Panthers ended up cutting Newton indicates he had little in the way of the trade market after two consecutive injury-hindered seasons.
However, when healthy Newton has proven himself a top-tier starting quarterback worthy of an opportunity with a new team.
If the Chargers, who currently appear comfortable going with Tyrod Taylor in the position, decide to give him that chance, it would take another team out of the quarterback discussion and end talk of them potentially trading up for Tagovailoa.
