Free agent signings to impact draft needs … Updated: The start of the new NFL year when teams can formally sign veteran free agents is still just over 30 hours away but teams are currently allowed to at least negotiate with potential free agent targets. And several agreements have reportedly been made that may impact how teams approach their early picks in the 2018 draft for both the team signing the player and the team losing him. Both Chicago and Kansas City, for example, have addressed big needs at WR as the Bears have reportedly come to terms with former Jacksonville WR Allen Robinson, while the Chiefs reportedly have a 3-year deal in place with former Bills and Rams WR Sammy Watkins. Elsewhere, it appears as if Jacksonville has upgraded its offensive line with the apparent signing of former Jacksonville OG Andrew Norwell. Maybe the biggest news is that Denver has reportedly agreed to sign former Minnesota QB Case Keenum. The Broncos had been thought to be all in on Kirk Cousins, but the buzz around the league was that Minnesota and the Jets are the two finalists there. Perhaps the more interesting question in Denver is whether the signing of Keenum would be enough to take the Broncos out of the QB market early at the 2018 draft. The Broncos pick 5th this year, but even that might be too late to get any of the top three QBs – Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen and Josh Allen – in this year’s draft. Meanwhile, the curious case of Drew Brees in New Orleans appears to be moving closer to a resolution. There has been almost a little shock around the league that Brees is still unsigned with less than two days to go until he would become an unrestricted free agent, but word out this morning is that the two sides have moved significantly closer to a 2-year deal. Update: ESPN is reporting that the Saints have in fact resigned QB Drew Brees! And in another update, Buffalo has reportedly agreed to terms with former Carolina DT Star Lotulelei who will replace Marcel Dareus in the Bills defensive front wall.
