NFL Draft: How much will free agent quarterback frenzy impact first round?

Did you see all those quarterbacks flipping teams as the league started its free agency period? It definitely will impact the first round market of next month’s NFL Draft.

Since the scouting period started, NFL draft analysts have predicted as many as six quarterbacks could go in the first round. Two things were factors here for a potentially historic first round. It was elite depth at the position meeting the demand of so many teams needing or wanting a new QB.

But what happened Sunday and into Monday took some of those teams off the NFL Draft market. It also moved others up. Consider:

Kirk Cousins left the Vikings to sign a $180 million contract with the Falcons. Before that move, draft chatter suggested that Atlanta would select a quarterback in the first round. They choose eighth. So that spot likely opened for another position.

Minnesota then promptly signed Sam Darnold from the 49ers early Tuesday morning. Minnesota selects 11th in the draft. Do they still need a quarterback? Most analysts believed they were in the market for one. But now, does Darnold fill their veteran needs? The Vikings signed Darnold to a one-year, $10 million deal.

The Raiders, who are shedding Jimmy Garoppolo, grabbed Gardner Minshew, the NFL journeyman who caught fire last season with the Indianapolis Colts. Before the Minshew signing, Vegas was in the market for a rookie quarterback in the NFL Draft. The Raiders select 13th.

With Russell Wilson signing with the Steelers, the Broncos definitely need a quarterback and the Steelers no longer do. So, does Sean Payton still try to draft a quarterback at pick 12? Or does Payton try to move into the top 10?

And, we need to mention Justin Fields. If the Bears are going to draft Caleb Williams with the No. 1 choice of the NFL Draft, then they likely need to ship Fields somewhere. The Falcons seemed to be Fields’ likeliest landing spot. That is no longer true.

Let us not forget the Patriots. They traded Mac Jones to the Jaguars. It’s doubtful New England keeps the status quo with Bailey Zappe. The Patriots select third in the first round of the NFL Draft. There was some talk that the team would take a receiver, possibly Marvin Harrison Jr. But New England probably will go with a quarterback at No. 3. They also added reserve QB Jacoby Brissett.

Meanwhile, the Commanders still will need a quarterback at No. 2. So it will be an argument for either Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels. The Giants, who own No. 6, also are kicking the tires on quarterback prospects. They lost running back Saquon Barkley to free agency, so no matter who the quarterback is, he has one fewer quality weapon. Later Tuesday, the Giants signed Drew Lock.

The likes of Williams, Maye and Daniels probably won’t be impacted by the free agency movement. But the signings may push a quarterback like J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix and Michael Penix down the draft boards.