Fifth-Year Option Tracker

Of the 32 players selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, 18 had their fifth-year options picked up. That’s a far better showing than last year when only 12 players selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft had their fifth-year options picked up. This little bureaucratic procedure is often the first sign as to how teams view the progress of their recent first round picks. So, the first round of the 2021 draft has been much more successful than the first round of the 2020 draft. Actually, 19 of the 32 players selected in the 2021 NFL Draft are scheduled to reach the fifth year with the team that drafted them. The Baltimore Ravens signed receiver Rashod Bateman to a modest extension earlier this offseason. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the 2021 first rounders. Four of the five quarterbacks (Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones) selected in the top half of the first round had their options declined. Only Trevor Lawrence has approached the success expected of a quarterback selected at the top of a draft.  

Here’s the full list of 2021 first round picks with their fifth-year options. 

Players who had their options picked up are in bold:

1.   Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars - $25.664 million

2.   Zach Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos (via trade w/Jets) - $22.408

3.   Trey Lance, QB, Dallas Cowboys (via trade w/49ers) - $22.408

4.   Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons - $10.878

5.   Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals - $21.816

6.   Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins - $15.591

7.   Penei Sewell, OT, Detroit Lions - $19.04

8.   Jaycee Horn, CB, Carolina Panthers - $12.472

9.   Patrick Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos - $19.802

10. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles - $15.591

11. Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears - $25.664

12. Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys - $24.007

13. Rashawn Slater, OT, Los Angeles Chargers - $19.04

14. Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, New York Jets - $15.313

15. Mac Jones, QB, New England Patriots - $25.664

16. Zaven Collins, LB, Arizona Cardinals - $13.251

17. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Las Vegas Raiders - no option/released

18. Jaelan Phillips, LB, Miami Dolphins - $13.251

19. Jamin Davis, LB, Washington Commanders - $14.483

20. Kadarius Toney, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (via trade w/Giants) - $14.345

21. Kwity Paye, Edge, Indianapolis Colts - $13.387

22. Caleb Farley, CB, Tennessee Titans - $12.472

23. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Minnesota Vikings - $16.037

24. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers - $6.79

25. Travis Etienne, RR, Jacksonville Jaguars - $6.143

26. Greg Newsome II, CB, Cleveland Browns - $13.377

27. Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens

28. Payton Turner, Edge, New Orleans Saints - $13.387

29. Eric Stokes, CB, Green Bay Packers - $12.472

30. Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Buffalo Bills - $13.387

31. Odafe Oweh, LB, Baltimore Ravens - $13.251

32. Joe Tyron-Shoyinka, Edge, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - $13.251

Penei Sewell and DeVonta Smith had their fifth-year options picked up by the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively. Both, then, signed big, long-term extensions with their teams. As mentioned earlier, the Ravens signed Rashod Bateman to a modest extension rather than bother with the fifth-year option.