NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2020 first-rounders who are entering the final year of their rookie deals. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of the player’s position, initial draft placement and performance- and usage-based benchmarks:
- Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternate Pro Bowlers) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag.
- One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag.
- Players who achieve any of the following will get the average of the third-20th highest salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
- Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position.
With the deadline looming, we’ll use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league:
- QB Joe Burrow, Bengals ($29.5MM): Exercised
- DE Chase Young, Commanders ($17.45MM): Declined
- CB Jeff Okudah, Falcons* ($11.51MM): N/A
- T Andrew Thomas, Giants ($14.18MM): Exercised
- QB Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins ($23.2MM): Exercised
- QB Justin Herbert, Chargers ($29.5MM): Exercised
- DT Derrick Brown, Panthers ($11.67MM): Exercised
- LB Isaiah Simmons, Cardinals ($12.72MM): Declined
- CB C.J. Henderson, Jaguars** ($11.51MM): Declined
- T Jedrick Wills, Browns ($14.18MM): Exercised
- T Mekhi Becton, Jets ($12.57MM): Declined
- WR Henry Ruggs, Raiders: N/A
- T Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers ($18.24MM): Exercised
- DT Javon Kinlaw, 49ers ($10.46MM): Declined
- WR Jerry Jeudy, Broncos ($14.12MM): Exercised
- CB AJ Terrell, Falcons ($12.34MM): Exercised
- WR CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys ($17.99MM): Exercised
- OL Austin Jackson, Dolphins ($14.18MM): Declined
- CB Damon Arnette, Raiders: N/A
- DE K’Lavon Chaisson, Jaguars ($12.14MM): Declined
- WR Jalen Reagor, Vikings*** ($12.99MM): To decline
- WR Justin Jefferson, Vikings ($19.74MM): Exercised
- LB Kenneth Murray, Chargers ($11.73MM): Declined
- G Cesar Ruiz, Saints ($14.18MM): Declined
- WR Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers ($14.12MM): Exercised
- QB Jordan Love, Packers ($20.27MM): Extended through 2024
- LB Jordyn Brooks, Seahawks ($12.72MM): Declined
- LB Patrick Queen, Ravens ($12.72MM): Declined
- T Isaiah Wilson, Titans: N/A
- CB Noah Igbinoghene, Dolphins ($11.51MM): Declined
- CB Jeff Gladney, Vikings: N/A
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs ($5.46MM): To decline
* = Lions traded Okudah on April 11, 2023
** = Jaguars traded Henderson on Sept. 27, 2021
*** = Eagles traded Reagor on August 31, 2022
Every article, though completely unintentional, mocks the Raiders’ fans. Two N/A’s in the top 28 picks, and both were Raider picks. 6 picks in the top 109-all gone.
Justin Jefferson and Patrick Queen would come in handy, huh?
I’m not sure Raider fans are being targeted but any owner who thinks a Moe Howard haircut is stylish, probably deserves to be mocked a bit.
LOL! Now shut up.
Please….
Great list. Thanks for including the “Unlikely to exercise” info. Really helps for some of the more obscure names on the list. Case by case analysis of the more interesting players with up-to-date team info would be welcome, rather than reporting after the fact (“exercised”). This would include stats, attitude, injury history.
Justin Herbert for instance is a sure thing. I wonder if the Broncos will pick up Jerry Jeudy’s option although when he entered the league I was certain that Jeudy would be the cream of NFL receivers for his entire career (Jerry Rice territory).
Waiting patiently in TEN’s decision on Wilson.
Just goes to show you never know with prospects. That’s why I laugh at titles such as “draft expert”.
Mel Kiper, the 39 year ‘vet’, got 1 pick correct. And it was Bryce Young at #1…
He’s been getting paid for his ‘expertise’ for 39 years… Wild to think about honestly.
You’re right… trying to guess the player evaluation and needs of all 32 teams is easy.
Yeah to be paid $400K a year to be wrong about literally everything? Imagine having sympathy for that… odd?
Plus, if he thinks it’s so hard, why’s he been doing it (awfully) for almost 40 years… You can keep watching that hot garbage, it’s you’re time not mine.
Guess enough people must be watching if he’s been on for 40 years
Raiders struck out twice in the first round. Just adds to the list of questionable decisions that front office made.
Declining Jordyn Brooks is odd
On behalf of the Vikings, I will decline Jalen Reagor.
The N/A folks should also have a *** note attached, as not everyone remembers WHY they are N/A.
Only 12 of 32 picks got the 5th year option. GB got creative with the 5th year extension at a reduced guaranteed amount