Best Draft Landing Spots After Early Free Agency
After the first wave of NFL free agency, the ripple effects start showing up in the NFL Draft picture. Teams that once looked like obvious fits for certain prospects have already filled key holes, while others created new needs after losing starters.
Because of that, the projected landing spots for many top rookies are starting to shift. Odds across sports betting apps like FanDuel and DraftKings have already moved, with several players rising or falling on draft boards as team priorities change. Let’s look at what now seems to be the best home for top prospects, after some of the dust of free agency has settled.
New York Giants: Carnell Tate
The Giants lost their top receiver from last season when Wan’Dale Robinson left for the Tennessee Titans. Before that move, it looked like New York would focus on the defensive side of the ball early in the draft. Now, upgrading the receiving corps feels like the more pressing need. Malik Nabers will still be the clear No. 1 option, but beyond him, the depth at receiver is thin.
Tate would be a great complement to Nabers, giving Jaxson Dart another reliable target right away. His ability to stretch the field and win contested catches would add a new element to the offense. If the Giants paired Tate with Nabers, along with Skattebo in the backfield and new tight end Isaiah Likely, the offense would suddenly have the kind of skill group that could help the unit take a real step forward.
Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane
The Chiefs have had an interesting start to free agency. They addressed a major need at running back by adding Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, which likely takes them out of the mix for Jeremiyah Love with their top-10 pick. Before that move, Kansas City was widely projected as a landing spot for the star running back. Now, the team’s focus is likely to shift toward rebuilding the secondary.
Cornerback has quickly become the bigger priority after the Chiefs lost their top two corners, with Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson both heading to the Rams. Jermod McCoy and Mansoor Delane are widely viewed as the top two cornerbacks in the draft, and Kansas City could realistically have its choice between them. Delane may be the safer option, especially considering McCoy missed the entire 2025 season after suffering an ACL tear.
Minnesota Vikings: Jeremiyah Love:
The prospect whose outlook has changed the most after the first wave of free agency is Jeremiyah Love. With the Chiefs signing Kenneth Walker and the Saints addressing their running back situation, two potential landing spots quickly disappeared. If the Titans pass on Love at No. 4, a noticeable slide becomes very possible. Most teams picking in the top 15 either already have a reliable running back or have bigger needs elsewhere on the roster.
That could open the door for a team like the Vikings. Aaron Jones is getting older and has dealt with injuries in recent seasons, and Minnesota doesn’t have as many glaring holes as many of the teams picking ahead of them. If Love begins to fall, the Vikings could be a logical trade-up candidate to secure their running back of the future and improve a run game that has been below average.