Gerald Herbert/Associated Press
The first wave of free agency is one of the highlights of the NFL offseason—not only because of the flurry of activity involved but also because of how it can impact the upcoming draft.
Sometimes the way early offseason moves impact the draft is obvious. The Indianapolis Colts, for example, traded their first-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for defensive lineman DeForest Buckner. Obviously, this means that San Francisco now has an extra first-round selection.
Sometimes the moves are more subtle than the exchange of a first-round pick, however.