The effect of Day 1 of free agency on the 2014 NFL Draft

The first day of free agency in the NFL featured numerous big-money contracts. Several of them altered the NFL Draft plans for several teams.

No signing on Monday may have had a greater impact on the draft than offensive tackle Jared Veldheer signing with the Arizona Cardinals.

Veldheer was injured much of last season, but at just 26 is an ascending talent on the left side. He started every game of the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The Cardinals have a penchant for running through left tackles like the Cleveland Browns go through quarterbacks, but Veldheer is an obvious upgrade over someone like Bradley Sowell.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, general manager stressed the importance of keeping Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer upright.

Veldheer will pair next to second-year guard Jonathan Cooper who sat out his rookie season with injury. More importantly, he'll allow Keim to stick to his best player available philosophy instead of reaching on a tackle. That's something that worked well for Keim in last year's draft when he selected players like running back Andre Ellington in the sixth round and defensive back Tyrann Mathieu in the third.

The same can't necessarily be said for the Miami Dolphins despite signing a left tackle of their own in Branden Albert. While that was a good signing for Miami, more of the offensive line needs to be rebuilt. Both Richie Incognito and John Jerry are unrestricted free agents. It takes some of the onus off selecting a tackle, but unless the Dolphins add a top guard, someone like UCLA's Xavier Su'a-Filo or Notre Dame's Zack Martin would be a good first-round fit.

The Atlanta Falcons were one of the most active teams on Day 1 of free agency, particularly on the defensive line. Tyson Jackson and Paul Soliai were brought in and Jonathan Babineaux was brought back. If the Falcons move to a 3-4 defense as expected, that leaves a spot open for a player like Jadeveon Clowney in the draft. He could be brought in to play the J.J. Watt role. If the Falcons don't move up for Clowney, it's also an indicator that Khalil Mack is even more of a target with the sixth pick.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were in a tough spot with the No. 7 pick in the first round of the draft. By then, it's likely that top pass rushers – Clowney and Mack – would be gone. Although defensive end Michael Johnson was given a large five-year $43 million contract, it stops Tampa Bay from forcing a pick on someone like UCLA edge rusher Anthony Barr. If offensive tackle Donald Penn is released, keep Texas A&M left tackle Jake Matthews in mind for Tampa Bay.

Many mock drafts have had the Chicago Bears going after either a defensive end or a safety. Defensive end became less of a priority for Chicago on Tuesday following the signing of Lamarr Houston. While he's not a superstar pass rusher, Houston fits nicely as a left defensive end in a four-man front. He can also allow the Bears to use three-man fronts. While veteran safety Ryan Mundy was brought in, Houston has a greater impact and would allow the Bears to target someone like Alabama safety HaHa Clinton-Dix with the 14th pick in the draft.

Not signing players can hint at what a team will be doing in the draft. The Kansas City Chiefs lost three starting offensive linemen on Tuesday in Albert and guards Jon Asamoah and Geoff Schwartz. The Chiefs still have last year's No. 1 pick Eric Fisher and will likely give Donald Stephenson a shot as well. But there's lack of talent across the line. Unless the Chiefs add a free agent or two to the line, look for them to target linemen early.

AFC West rivals the Denver Broncos could also target interior linemen early after losing guard Zane Beadles to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Denver struck with secondary pieces in cornerback Aqib Talib and safety TJ Ward. If Denver doesn't look offensive line early, a linebacker who can immediately contribute may be an early choice. If CJ Mosley of Alabama slips in the draft, he could be a target for Denver, as could Ohio State's Ryan Shazier.

If there's a team that opened itself up to tradin g down in the draft after Day 1 of free agency, it's New Orleans. The Saints gave big money to safety Jairus Byrd. Adding a top safety in a draft where the position is thin was a smart move. The Saints could trade back and rely on the considerable depth at cornerback and wide receiver. Either of the LSU wide receivers, Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, would fit, as would Penn State's Allen Robinson or Florida State's Kelvin Benjamin. Cornerbacks available in a trade down could be Pierre Desir of Lindenwood or Florida's Marcus Roberson.