Tony Pauline: 5 NFL Teams Whose Free Agency Moves Changed Their 2026 Draft Plans

[TheSpecialJuan]

On the whole, I thought the Panthers did the best job of any team during the first week of free agency and left with a much stronger roster. The team had two major needs on defense that people thought would be addressed early in the draft: pass rusher and off-ball linebacker. They promptly filled both by signing Jaelan Phillips to a massive four-year, $120 million contract and linebacker Devin Lloyd to a three-year, $45 million contract. Not only did the Panthers fill needs by signing the two players, but the vacancies left by Phillips in Philadelphia and Lloyd in Jacksonville are massive holes that those teams must address. 

Carolina was not done, as they added offensive tackle Rasheed Walker, the four-year veteran who was previously with the Green Bay Packers, to a one-year deal. Considering the serious knee injury suffered by starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu during the playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, an injury that could threaten his 2026 season, it was money well spent on another free agent. Heading towards the draft, the Panthers now have the luxury of looking at other positions. If tight end Kenyon Sadiq happens to fall to the 19 selection of the first round, he has to be a consideration, and they could also target a top cornerback.

https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-five-nfl-teams-whose-free-agency-moves-changed-their-twenty-twenty-six-draft-plans/

 

[MHS831]

I am not sure about the TE or CB in round 1, but the rest is spot on.   Wonder why he did not mention S?  Does he think we are set there with Scott?  Wonder why he did not mention DE?  Does he think Wharton and D Brown got it? 

Personally, I do not think Walker prevents us from drafting an OT no more that M. Jackson and Horn suggest that we draft a CB.  I would understand it, but with Walker on a 1-year deal and Ickey a question mark (average when healthy), and Moton starting to get SS checks...

I think we HAVE to go DT and OT in rounds 1 and 2.  That is right.  I said it.  

[TheSpecialJuan]

If you remember, Cameron Wolff on NFL Network dropped a pretty big hint last Tuesday. Right after we signed Lloyd and Phillips, he reported the Panthers weren’t finished—they were still targeting a nickel corner.

Now that free agency has mostly dried up and there aren’t many real upgrade options left at CB, it feels like any meaningful addition will have to come through the draft. A guy like D’Angelo Ponds at pick 51 seems like a realistic fit. I also wouldn’t be surprised if we end up re-signing Demarri Mathis, who missed all of last season.

[TD alt]

3 hours ago, MHS831 said:

I am not sure about the TE or CB in round 1, but the rest is spot on.   Wonder why he did not mention S?  Does he think we are set there with Scott?  Wonder why he did not mention DE?  Does he think Wharton and D Brown got it? 

Personally, I do not think Walker prevents us from drafting an OT no more that M. Jackson and Horn suggest that we draft a CB.  I would understand it, but with Walker on a 1-year deal and Ickey a question mark (average when healthy), and Moton starting to get SS checks...

I think we HAVE to go DT and OT in rounds 1 and 2.  That is right.  I said it.  

Nah, man, we are going to go BPA. We don't have to draft DT and OT in rounds one and two. If the stars align up--which is possible--you may get your wish. I don't equate the two being of equal importance either, as OT is simply more of a need in my opinion due to Ickey's injury. Phillips & Lloyd are going to make a huge difference, and I would hope that Scourton and Umanmielen take noticeable jumps. The D-line is going to be able to eat due to the newfound pressure on the edges. 

One last thing: we absolutely will strongly consider Sadiq if he is there. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

7 minutes ago, TD alt said:

Nah, man, we are going to go BPA. We don't have to draft DT and OT in rounds one and two. If the stars align up--which is possible--you may get your wish. I don't equate the two being of equal importance either, as OT is simply more of a need in my opinion due to Ickey's injury. Phillips & Lloyd are going to make a huge difference, and I would hope that Scourton and Umanmielen take noticeable jumps. The D-line is going to be able to eat due to the newfound pressure on the edges. 

One last thing: we absolutely will strongly consider Sadiq if he is there. 

100% 

[OldhamA]

9 hours ago, TD alt said:

Nah, man, we are going to go BPA. We don't have to draft DT and OT in rounds one and two. If the stars align up--which is possible--you may get your wish. I don't equate the two being of equal importance either, as OT is simply more of a need in my opinion due to Ickey's injury. Phillips & Lloyd are going to make a huge difference, and I would hope that Scourton and Umanmielen take noticeable jumps. The D-line is going to be able to eat due to the newfound pressure on the edges. 

One last thing: we absolutely will strongly consider Sadiq if he is there. 

The DLine needs to do its job too - currently I only trust Brown to do that.

[PanthersNCSU]

15 hours ago, MHS831 said:

I am not sure about the TE or CB in round 1, but the rest is spot on.   Wonder why he did not mention S?  Does he think we are set there with Scott?  Wonder why he did not mention DE?  Does he think Wharton and D Brown got it? 

Personally, I do not think Walker prevents us from drafting an OT no more that M. Jackson and Horn suggest that we draft a CB.  I would understand it, but with Walker on a 1-year deal and Ickey a question mark (average when healthy), and Moton starting to get SS checks...

I think we HAVE to go DT and OT in rounds 1 and 2.  That is right.  I said it.  

I still think the ILB group in round 2 will be too good to pass up and we need to grab one there, but agreed on OT and DL being the biggest needs/should almost always be our biggest needs when it comes to the draft. 

Gettleman screwed a lot up and couldn't pick talent worth a damn, but philosophically he was always right. Hog Mollies win games. 

[Swaggasaurus]

2 hours ago, OldhamA said:

The DLine needs to do its job too - currently I only trust Brown to do that.

Ashawn was our 2nd best DL and played a lot of nose tackle for us last year. It’s a guarantee we spend an early pick on DT.

[shaqattaq]

12 hours ago, TD alt said:

Nah, man, we are going to go BPA. We don't have to draft DT and OT in rounds one and two. If the stars align up--which is possible--you may get your wish. I don't equate the two being of equal importance either, as OT is simply more of a need in my opinion due to Ickey's injury. Phillips & Lloyd are going to make a huge difference, and I would hope that Scourton and Umanmielen take noticeable jumps. The D-line is going to be able to eat due to the newfound pressure on the edges. 

One last thing: we absolutely will strongly consider Sadiq if he is there. 

I was going to reply similarly to @MHS831. A week ago we pretty much HAD to go OT at 19, but DMo has set us up to literally work from our big board. If the right guy at OT, DT, CB, FS, ILB, TE falls, we can grab them and keep on truckin. 

I would argue that the only 2 starters from last year that still need upgrading (other than QB...Bryce is our guy in 2026 for better or worse - that has been discussed ad nauseum for 4 years) are Scott and a Wallace. Wharton could be on that list as well but I agree with you that Lloyd and Phillips instantly make him better. OT and CB are on the list because we need to be looking at 2027 and beyond.

I do think we get a pass-catching TE an speedster WR, but not in rounds 1 or 2.

[Daeavorn]

We need a NT and another DT to play alongside DB. 

 

Id also be okay with TE if its truly someone that can contribute.

[WhoKnows]

2 hours ago, PanthersNCSU said:

I still think the ILB group in round 2 will be too good to pass up and we need to grab one there, but agreed on OT and DL being the biggest needs/should almost always be our biggest needs when it comes to the draft. 

Gettleman screwed a lot up and couldn't pick talent worth a damn, but philosophically he was always right. Hog Mollies win games. 

Gettleman made tons of misses and had some key injuries, but usually he had the right spots.

Honestly, hog molly wise, for only having 5 drafts, he did bring in Norwell, Turner, Daryl Williams, Moton, Short and Star who all had big impacts for us.