Early Winners in NFL Free Agency

Here are some early winners in free agency. Moves that are starting to shake up the 2007 NFL Draft.

The San Francisco 49ers took a big step by signing the top corner on the market, Nate Clements. They also improved their defense by signing nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, linebacker Tully Banta-Cain and safety Michael Lewis. WR Ashley Lelie has tons of potential but hasn’t played up to it yet, similar in that regards to Antonio Bryant. Cornerback was a position that I was expecting the 49ers to address in the 2007 NFL Draft.

New England Patriots: Someone must have spiked the Patriots cool-aid, or maybe they understand that the window for success only stays open so long. They have been uncharacteristically aggressive in free agency this year. Signing Linebacker Adalius Thomas to a huge contract, he is talented and should make an already solid defense one of the best in the league. RB Sammy Morris and tight end Kyle Brady are solid veterans and give them depth. The head scratching move though was trading two draft picks (their second- and seventh-round picks) to Miami for 5-foot-8 Wes Welker. They drafted speedy WR Chad Jackson with an early pick last year, and with two first round draft picks this year, and a quality receiver class, getting one via the 2007 NFL Draft would have been more economical and better long term.

Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins made an early splash when they grabbed Pro-Bowl linebacker Joey Porter. With Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas and Joey Porter they should have a spectacular front seven. The Dolphins should be significantly improved from a personnel standpoint. They have acquired three additional draft choices -- in the second, sixth and seventh rounds -- in trades. The fins could still draft a corner back, but offense looks like the place they will focus on in the 2007 NFL Draft, probably a top receiver in the 1st or 2nd round.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs apparently answered their short term QB problems by adding QB Jeff Garcia. They signed aging Kevin Carter to play defensive end, and veteran left tackle Luke Petitgout to compete at offensive tackle. Gruden must be feeling the “win now” pressure to sign so many old timers. The Bucs are just hoping WR Calvin Johnson falls down to the in the 2007 NFL Draft, if Johnson is gone then the Bucs will try desperately to trade down.

Denver Broncos: The Broncos seem to go through a lot of running backs, but Travis Henry adds some experience and durability. The also added under- achieving tight end Daniel Graham, who, when paired along with speedy Tony Scheffler should give the Broncos a pair of talented tight ends. Reportedly Dre' Bly isn't happy about his trade to Denver, but if he stays he can help ease the pain of losing Darrent Williams.

The Dallas Cowboys haven’t been real active in free agency yet, but picking up Leonard Davis was huge, and I don’t mean because he is 6’ 6” 366 pounds. He fills a need at guard which is the Cowboys biggest area of need. Davis played left tackle at the University of Texas, but after being taken with the second overall pick by Arizona in 2001, he was moved to right guard. The next season, he was at right tackle. He played left tackle for Arizona the last three seasons. Dallas is expected to re-sign starting right tackle Marc Colombo. But if it doesn't, Davis could land there. He could also become the right guard, where Marco Rivera is currently the starter. Rivera underwent back surgery for the second time in three seasons and his status for 2007 is uncertain. Dallas could release Rivera or he might retire.