One of the storylines that flies under the radar during the draft is NFL teams soon thereafter having to exercise the fifth-year option on former first-round selections. They have to choose whether or not the 32 players taken in the first round of the draft three years prior are worth giving that option to and keep them under contract for an additional fifth season.
Players whose options are not exercised are eligible to hit free agency after one year instead of two, which could create opportunities for other clubs to take advantage of in the trade market. Enter Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.