5th-Year Option Tracker

The deadline for teams to pick up the fifth-year option on players selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft was yesterday. Only 27 of the 32 first-round players were eligible. Jeff Okudah (No. 3 overall) was traded from the Detroit Lions to the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. He’s ineligible for the fifth-year option  because the Lions agreed to pay $1.5 million of Okudah’s 2023 salary as part of the trade. Henry Ruggs III (No. 12), Damon Annette (No. 19), and Isaiah Wilson (No. 29) are no longer in the league. Jeff Gladney (No. 31) tragically died in a car accident last May. Here are the fifth-year option decisions of the remaining 27 players selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

1.   Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB - Of Course

2.   Washington Commanders: Chase Young, DE. - No 

4.   New York Giants: Andrew Thomas, OT - Yes

5.   Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, QB - Yes

6.   Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert, QB - Of Course

7.   Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown, DT - Yes

8.   Arizona Cardinals: Isaiah Simmons, LB - No

9.   Carolina Panthers: C.J. Henderson, CB - No 

10. Cleveland Browns: Jedrick Wills, OT - Yes

11. New York Jets: Mekhi Becton, OT - No

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tristan Wirfs, OT - Of Course

14. San Francisco 49ers: Javon Kinlaw, DT - No

15. Denver Broncos: Jerry Jeudy, WR - Yes

16. Atlanta Falcons: A.J. Terrell, CB - Yes

17. Dallas Cowboys: CeeDee Lamb, WR - Yes

18. Miami Dolphins: Austin Jackson, OT - No

20. Jacksonville Jaguars: K’Lavon Chaisson, LB - No

21. Minnesota Vikings: Jalen Reagor, WR - No

22. Minnesota Vikings: Justin Jefferson, WR - Of Course

23. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Murray, LB - No

24. New Orleans Saints: Cesar Ruiz, C - No

25. San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Aiyuk, WR - Yes

26. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love, QB - N/A

27. Seattle Seahawks: Jordyn Brooks, LB - No 

28. Baltimore Ravens: Patrick Queen, LB - No

30. Miami Dolphins: Noah Igbinoghene, CB - No

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB - No 

The Green Bay Packers avoided the fifth-year option decision with Jordan Love by signing him to an odd contract “extension.” It’s a fine deal for the Packers as it ties Love to Green Bay for a two-year quarterback audition while guaranteeing the quarterback less money over those years than the 5th-year option. $13.5 million vs $20.272 million. I’m sure that Love is betting on himself. If everything goes beautifully, none of this matters. The Packers are covering their butts if it doesn’t go well. They are putting less money on line and making it easier to move on if the 2023 season doesn’t go well. Going the 5th-year option route would’ve guaranteed a 2024 season. It doesn’t feel like the Packers have a great deal of faith in their quarterback. 

Teams picked up the fifth-year options of only 12 of the 32 first-round picks from the 2020 NFL Draft. 13, if you count Love’s “extension.” That is by far the lowest number under this system. 

2019: 19

2018: 22

2017: 18

2016: 17

2015: 20

2014: 23

2013: 18

2012: 20

2011: 21

For the classes of the 2018-20 drafts, the options were fully guaranteed. For the classes of 2011-17, the options were only injury guaranteed. 

The 2020 NFL Draft was the COVID draft. Teams didn’t have the face-to-face encounters that are clearly critical to the evaluation process. Perhaps that’s seen in the players that weren’t eligible for the fifth-year options. Henry Ruggs III, Damon Arnette, Isaiah Wilson, and Jeff Gladney had issues nearly from the start of their time in the NFL. 

Some of the declines were still a little surprising. Those surprises start with Chase Young, Isaiah Simmons, and Patrick Queen.

It’s kinda funny that the Vikings had the option on the receiver infamously selected before Justin Jefferson. The Vikings acquired Jalen Reagor from the Eagles before the start of last season. He returned punts and made a few plays in Minnesota. He will have a full offseason and training camp to keep a receiving spot.