The deadline for teams to pick up the fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2014 is May 3, but all 32 NFL clubs have made their decisions with a day left on the clock. 23 of 32 players had their options exercised, five saw the options declined, and three weren’t eligible given that they’d already been released by their original clubs.
Of course, just because a player has his option exercised or declined, that doesn’t necessarily dictate his future earnings. These fifth-year options are only guaranteed for injury only for now, so assuming a player stays healthy, his team could still release him by March 2018 without being on the hook for any ’18 salary, even if his option was exercised today. Conversely, a player who had his option declined could have a bounce-back year and do well on the open market next March.
As we wait to see how the latest round of option decisions looks a year from now, let’s recap the action. Here’s a full breakdown of the fifth-year option decisions for 2018:
Exercised:
- Jadeveon Clowney, DE, $13.846MM (Texans): Exercised
- Blake Bortles, QB, (Jaguars), $19.053MM: Exercised
- Khalil Mack, DE (Raiders), $13.846MM: Exercised
- Jake Matthews, T (Falcons), $12.496MM: Exercised
- Mike Evans, WR (Buccaneers), $13.258MM: Exercised
- Anthony Barr, LB (Vikings), $12.306MM: Exercised
- Eric Ebron, TE (Lions), $5.194MM: Exercised
- Taylor Lewan, T (Titans), $9.341MM: Exercised
- Odell Beckham Jr. (Giants), $8.459MM: Exercised
- Aaron Donald, DT (Rams), $6.892MM: Exercised
- Ryan Shazier, LB (Steelers), $8.718MM: Exercised
- Zack Martin, G (Cowboys), $9.341MM: Exercised
- C.J. Mosley, LB (Ravens), $8.718MM: Exercised
- Ja’Wuan James, T (Dolphins), $9.341MM: Exercised
- Brandin Cooks, WR (Patriots), $8.459MM: Exercised
- Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S (Packers), $5.597MM: Exercised
- Dee Ford, LB (Chiefs), $8.718MM: Exercised
- Darqueze Dennard, CB (Bengals), $8.526MM: Exercised
- Jason Verrett, CB (Chargers), $8.526MM: Exercised
- Deone Bucannon, LB (Cardinals), $8.718MM: Exercised
- Kelvin Benjamin, WR (Panthers), $8.459MM: Exercised
- Jimmie Ward, CB (49ers), $8.526MM: Exercised
- Bradley Roby, CB (Broncos), $8.526MM: Exercised
Not exercised:
- Greg Robinson, OL (Rams), $12.496MM: Declined
- Sammy Watkins, WR (Bills), $13.258MM: Declined
- Justin Gilbert, CB (Browns): Not applicable due to release
- Kyle Fuller, CB, (Bears), $8.526MM: Declined
- Calvin Pryor, S (Jets), $5.597MM: Declined
- Johnny Manziel, QB (Browns): Not applicable due to release
- Marcus Smith, DE (Eagles), $8.625MM: Declined
- Dominique Easley, DT (Rams): Not applicable due to release
- Teddy Bridgewater, QB (Vikings), $12.198MM: Declined
Bortles for 19M? Seems like that money could have been spent a lot more efficiently towards 2-3 other player signings.
Granted it’s not much of a QB back there now, but who else is gonna line up behind center?
Keep in mind it is only guaranteed for injury. Jacksonville could potentially release him once the 2017 season ends and not owe him anything guaranteed for 2018.