The deadline has passed for NFL franchises to exercise the fifth-year options for first-round picks from the 2020 Draft - with 18 players failing to see their contracts extended.
When a player is selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, they sign a four-year rookie contract that includes a team option for an additional fifth year. The 32 franchises must decide to pick up a player’s fifth-year option before the end of the player’s third season but before May 3 of the following league year.
The salary that comes with the option accounts for prior performance, Pro Bowl appearances and snap count of the player as well as the cap situation for the team. Even if the fifth-year option is not exercised, players have the opportunity to negotiate long-term extensions with their team throughout the season before hitting free agency.
Ahead of the 2023 season, the deadline for teams to exercise or decline the fifth-year option for the 2020 NFL Draft class was May 2. Some teams have already made their decisions, with Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert all seeing their options picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers respectively.
However, other players were not so lucky. The Washington Commanders selected defensive end Chase Young second overall, but injuries have derailed the former Ohio State star after an encouraging rookie season and the team declined his option while he is also reportedly on the trade block.
The Detroit Lions took Jeff Okudah third overall and traded him to the Atlanta Falcons ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft after he struggled with injuries and form. The finances involved nullified his option, so the cornerback could be a free agent in 2024.
Two others - linebacker Isaiah Simmons and cornerback C.J. Henderson - were taken in the top 10 and saw their options declined. The Arizona Cardinals clearly do not believe Simmons’ athleticism has transitioned to the pros as smoothly as desired, while Henderson was traded by the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Carolina Panthers - and the NFC South team declined his option.
Another name sadly ravaged by injuries is Mekhi Becton, who the New York Jets spent the 11th overall pick on in 2020. The offensive lineman has played just one game since 2020, missing the entirety of the 2022 season due to a knee injury. He joins Austin Jackson (Dolphins) and Cesar Ruiz (New Orleans Saints) as offensive line stars from the 2020 class to see their options declined, while his Dolphins also rejected cornerback Noah Igbinoghene’s option.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers declined Javon Kinlaw’s option as he has struggled to find form - and fitness - since arriving in the NFL. The Jaguars also declined to extend K’Laivon Chaisson, the 20th overall pick who has lost his starting role at outside linebacker to Josh Allen and Travon Walker.
The 2020 NFL Draft has proved to not be a great class for linebackers; Los Angeles Chargers declined Kenneth Murray’s option, as did the Baltimore Ravens for Patrick Queen and the Seattle Seahawks for Jordyn Brooks.
On offence, receiver Jalen Reagor - selected by the Philadelphia Eagles - saw his option declined by the Minnesota Vikings. The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs also opted to decline the option for Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who enjoyed a fine start to his career before sliding down the depth chart amid injuries and the emergence of Isaiah Pacheco.
The Green Bay Packers selected quarterback Jordan Love with the 26th overall pick back in 2020, and while the franchise officially declined his option, he signed a one-year contract extension to stay with the NFC North team through 2024. It’s more of a compromise, earning more money while it is a less guaranteed sum for the Packers to be committed.
There are a handful of special cases whose options weren’t available to be picked up or declined. Off field issues meant the Las Vegas Raiders’ two first round picks - Henry Ruggs III and Damon Arnette - are no longer in the NFL, while Isaiah Wilson was released by the Tennessee Titans after less than a year on the roster.
