The 2017 NFL league year officially starts on Thursday, with teams being able to make trades and sign free agents, but talks with representatives for unrestricted free agents can begin now. In an ideal world, a team is pretty set and can do a bit of bargain shopping to plug some roster holes. Most teams aren't in that situation. They need help and that means going shopping for players on the open market. Teams will talk about building through the draft and that is certainly the best way to do things, but free agency can be a valuable tool if used correctly.
Lawlor: How Will Eagles Attack Free Agency?
