Author: Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY

NFL free agency officially begins on Wednesday, but many of the top players have already locked in deals with new teams.

NFL free agency doesn’t officially begin until the start of the new league year on Wednesday, but deals can materialize in the negotiation period.

Derek Carr’s decision to sign with the Saints changes the complexion of the NFC South, which before looked like the NFL’s most wide-open division.

It might never be clear exactly what effect the NFL combine had on prospects’ draft stock, but several helped themselves as others hurt their cause.

The on-field action resumes Friday at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis as defensive backs and special teams players work out.

NFL draft prospects begin taking the field in Indianapolis on Thursday for testing and drills, as defensive linemen and linebackers kick things off.

The NFL scouting combine is sure to alter the first-round draft landscape, with more modifications to come via free agency and trades.

All NFL teams must be compliant with the $224.8 million salary cap by March 15, which means several teams and players are bound for painful partings.