Could the CBA affect the way NFL teams draft?

The current CBA between the NFL and the players union will expire on March 3, 2011. With there being no tangible evidence that a new deal will get done something very strange is going to happen this year. For the first time I can remember, and likely the first time ever the NFL draft will commence without a free agent signing period taking place first. One has to wonder if that will affect how teams choose to conduct their draft.

In the normal course of events teams can sign a few free agents to fill their most immediate needs, and then have the choice to draft another position of need or take the best player available. Since teams cannot sign free agents until the start of a new league year and that cannot happen until a new CBA is in place, teams may be forced to draft guys at their biggest positions of need.

I am not a big fan of taking the best guy available. I think teams should use the draft to make each pick count and one does that be identifying needs, and then using draft picks to fill those needs. I wonder if teams will alter their approach knowing that free agency will not help them, and may not happen at all in 2011.

It seems for 2011 the draft is the very best way to improve NFL rosters. I wonder how many teams will let that affect how the prepare for this draft, and who waits to make a splash in free agency. Right now it seems NFL teams will have to adjust and make do for at least the 2011 NFL draft.