2017 Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker

Teams across the NFL have until May 3 to officially pick up their 2017 options on players who are entering the final year of their rookie contracts. These fifth-year options can only be exercised on first-round picks, and the salaries are determined by where players were drafted and what position they play. Joel Corry of CBSSports.com has passed along the official salary figures for all 2017 fifth-year options, adding his thoughts on where each 2013 first-rounder stands.

If a player has his option exercised, his rookie contract will be extended by one year and he’ll be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2018, after the conclusion of the 2017 season. If a player’s option is declined, he’ll be eligible to hit the open market a year earlier. Of course, if a 2013 first-rounder is no longer on his rookie contract, there will be no option to exercise or decline. We explained the intricacies of the fifth-year option in a PFR Glossary post, so you can read up on the specific details there.

These 2017 option salaries are guaranteed for injury only up until the first day of the ’17 league year, at which point they become fully guaranteed. As such, some teams may exercise the options now, even if they’re not 100% sure they’ll keep the player, as Washington did last year with Robert Griffin III — there isn’t a ton of risk in picking up the option and maintaining as much roster flexibility as possible. Teams and players can also continue to negotiate long-term contracts from this point on.

With next month’s deadline looming, we’ll use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league based on various reports and official announcements. This post can be found anytime on the right-hand sidebar in the “PFR Features” section. Here are this season’s fifth-year option decisions so far:

1. Eric Fisher, T (Chiefs), $11.902MM: Exercised
2. Luke Joeckel, T (Jaguars), $11.902MM: Declined
3. Dion Jordan, DE (Dolphins): Not applicable this year due to suspension (contract tolled)
4. Lane Johnson, T (Eagles): Not applicable due to long-term extension
5. Ezekiel Ansah, DE (Lions), $12.734MM: Exercised
6. Barkevious Mingo, OLB (Browns), $11.925MM: Declined
7. Jonathan Cooper, G (Patriots), $11.902MM: Declined
8. Tavon Austin, WR (Rams), $12.268MM: Exercised
9. Dee Milliner, CB (Jets), $11.913MM: Declined
10. Chance Warmack, G (Titans), $11.902MM: Declined
11. D.J. Fluker, G (Chargers), $8.821MM: Exercised
12. D.J. Hayden, CB (Raiders), $8.026MM: Declined
13. Sheldon Richardson, DE (Jets), $8.069MM: Exercised
14. Star Lotulelei, DT (Panthers), $6.757MM: Exercised
15. Kenny Vaccaro, S (Saints), $5.676MM: Exercised
16. EJ Manuel, QB (Bills), $11.357MM: Declined
17. Jarvis Jones, OLB (Steelers), $8.369MM: Declined
18. Eric Reid, S (49ers), $5.676MM: Exercised
19. Justin Pugh, G (Giants), $8.821MM: Exercised
20. Kyle Long, G (Bears), $8.821MM: Exercised
21. Tyler Eifert, TE (Bengals), $4.782MM: Exercised
22. Desmond Trufant, CB (Falcons), $8.026MM: Exercised
23. Sharrif Floyd, DT (Vikings), $6.757MM: Exercised
24. Bjoern Werner, OLB: Not applicable due to release
25. Xavier Rhodes, CB (Vikings), $8.026MM: Exercised
26. Datone Jones, OLB (Packers), $8.369MM: Declined
27. DeAndre Hopkins, WR (Texans), $7.915MM: Exercised
28. Sylvester Williams, DT (Broncos), $6.757MM: Declined
29. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR (Vikings), $7.915MM: Declined
30. Alec Ogletree, LB (Rams), $8.369MM: Exercised
31. Travis Frederick, C (Cowboys), $8.821MM: Exercised
32. Matt Elam, S (Ravens), $5.676MM: Declined