The Dolphins will pick up Ja’Wuan James‘ fifth-year option, according to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald. Now, the right tackle will be under team control through the 2018 season. 
[RELATED: 2018 Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker]
Over the weekend, Dolphins executive vice president and GM Chris Grier said that the team was still deliberating on what to do with James. Now, however, they’ll guarantee James’ 2018 salary for an estimated $9.341MM. The Dolphins project to start Laremy Tunsil and James at the tackle spots with Ted Larsen, Mike Pouncey, and Kraig Urbik in between in 2017. If all goes well, we’ll see Tunsil/James for the next two seasons in Miami, at minimum.
Last year, James graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 32 tackle in the NFL. While his pass blocking score left something to be desired, his run blocking score put him in the top 20 league-wide. Per PFF, 2016 was James’ best season to date.
As shown in PFR’s 2018 Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker, teams have already decided on the majority of players in the 2014 first round. Clubs have until Wednesday to formally decide.