The deadline for teams to exercise 2025 fifth-year options for 2021 first-round picks is May 2.
If a player’s option is picked up, they will be under contract through the 2025 season.
If a player’s option is declined, they will be eligible for free agency following the 2024 season.
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2021 Draft Class Fifth-Year Option Tracker:
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | 5th-Yr Value | Exercised |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaguars | Trevor Lawrence | QB | $25.7 million | Yes |
| 2 | Jets | Zach Wilson | QB | $22.4 million | No |
| 3 | Cowboys | Trey Lance | QB | $22.4 million | No |
| 4 | Falcons | Kyle Pitts | TE | $10.9 million | Yes |
| 5 | Bengals | Ja'Marr Chase | WR | $21.8 million | Yes |
| 6 | Dolphins | Jaylen Waddle | WR | $15.6 million | Yes |
| 7 | Lions | Penei Sewell | OT | $19.0 million | Yes |
| 8 | Panthers | Jaycee Horn | CB | $12.5 million | Yes |
| 9 | Broncos | Patrick Surtain II | CB | $19.8 million | Yes |
| 10 | Eagles | DeVonta Smith | WR | $15.6 million | Yes |
| 11 | Steelers | Justin Fields | QB | $25.7 million | No |
| 12 | Cowboys | Micah Parsons | EDGE | $21.3 million | Yes |
| 13 | Chargers | Rashawn Slater | OT | $19.0 million | Yes |
| 14 | Jets | Alijah Vera-Tucker | OG | $15.3 million | Yes |
| 15 | Jaguars | Mac Jones | QB | $25.7 million | No |
| 16 | Cardinals | Zaven Collins | EDGE | $13.3 million | No |
| 17 | Free Agent | Alex Leatherwood | OT | Not Eligible | No |
| 18 | Dolphins | Jaelan Phillips | EDGE | $13.3 million | Yes |
| 19 | Commanders | Jamin Davis | LB | $14.5 million | No |
| 20 | Chiefs | Kadarius Toney | WR | $14.3 million | No |
| 21 | Colts | Kwity Paye | EDGE | $13.4 million | Yes |
| 22 | Titans | Caleb Farley | CB | $12.5 million | No |
| 23 | Vikings | Christian Darrisaw | OT | $16.0 million | Yes |
| 24 | Steelers | Najee Harris | RB | $6.8 million | No |
| 25 | Jaguars | Travis Etienne | RB | $6.1 million | Yes |
| 26 | Browns | Greg Newsome II | CB | $13.4 million | Yes |
| 27 | Ravens | Rashod Bateman | WR | $14.3 million | No |
| 28 | Saints | Payton Turner | EDGE | $13.4 million | No |
| 29 | Packers | Eric Stokes | CB | $12.5 million | No |
| 30 | Bills | Gregory Rousseau | EDGE | $13.4 million | Yes |
| 31 | Ravens | Odafe Oweh | EDGE | $13.3 million | Yes |
| 32 | Buccaneers | Joe Tryon-Shoyinka | EDGE | $13.3 million | No |
Fifth-year option values from Over The Cap.
When is the deadline for exercising the fifth-year option?
May 2 is the deadline for teams to exercise the fifth-year option on 2021 first rounders.
How many players had their fifth-year option picked up?
18 first-round picks from the 2021 NFL Draft had their fifth-year option picked up.
Which players had their fifth-year option picked up?
- Trevor Lawrence – 2025 Salary: $25.6 million
- Ja’Marr Chase – 2025 Salary: $21.8 million
- Micah Parsons – 2025 Salary: $21.3 million
- Patrick Surtain II – 2025 Salary: $19.8 million
- Penei Sewell – 2025 Salary: 19.0 million
- Rashawn Slater – 2025 Salary: 19.0 million
- Christian Darrisaw – 2025 Salary: $16.0 million
- DeVonta Smith – 2025 Salary: $15.6 million
- Jaylen Waddle – 2025 Salary: $15.6 million
- Alijah Vera–Tucker – 2025 Salary: $15.3 million
- Greg Rousseau – 2025 Salary: $13.4 million
- Greg Newsome – 2025 Salary: $13.4 million
- Kwity Paye – 2025 Salary: $13.4 million
- Odafe Oweh – 2025 Salary: $13.3 million
- Jaelan Phillips – 2025 Salary: $13.3 million
- Jaycee Horn – 2025 Salary: $12.5 million
- Kyle Pitts – 2025 Salary: $10.8 million
- Travis Etienne – 2025 Salary: $6.1 million
Which players had their fifth-year option declined?
- Najee Harris
- Zach Wilson
- Justin Fields
- Mac Jones
- Trey Lance
- Rashod Bateman (Signed two-year extension)
- Kadarius Toney
- Zaven Collins
- Caleb Farley
- Eric Stokes
- Jamin Davis
- Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
- Payton Turner
- Alex Leatherwood
Which positions have had the most fifth-year options picked up?
Tight ends have the best hit rate for fifth-year options with 8 of 9 earning the extra year (89%).
Running backs have the worst hit rate for fifth-year options with just 6 of 16 earning the extra year (38%)
out of 16 first round RBs drafted since inception of fifth-round options…
only 6 (38%) saw their option exercised
38% ranks as the LOWEST RATE of any position
READ ANALYSIS: https://t.co/9j26roTPuk
track record of 5th year options exercised by team, position & pick # ⤵️⤵️ pic.twitter.com/HmmfsbK4cx
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 2, 2024
Which teams have had the most success with fifth-year options?
| Team | Eligible Players | Hits* | Hit Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texans | 8 | 8 | 100% |
| Panthers | 11 | 10 | 91% |
| Rams | 8 | 7 | 88% |
| Chargers | 12 | 10 | 83% |
| Falcons | 11 | 9 | 82% |
| Bengals | 12 | 9 | 75% |
| Chiefs | 7 | 5 | 71% |
| Dolphins | 14 | 10 | 71% |
| BIlls | 10 | 7 | 70% |
| Cowboys | 10 | 7 | 70% |
| Saints | 12 | 8 | 67% |
| Lions | 11 | 7 | 64% |
| Packers | 11 | 7 | 64% |
| Buccaneers | 11 | 7 | 64% |
| Colts | 8 | 5 | 63% |
| Jets | 13 | 8 | 62% |
| Broncos | 10 | 6 | 60% |
| Eagles | 10 | 6 | 60% |
| Commanders | 10 | 6 | 60% |
| Ravens | 12 | 7 | 58% |
| Giants | 13 | 7 | 54% |
| VIkings | 15 | 8 | 53% |
| Steelers | 10 | 5 | 50% |
| Browns | 16 | 8 | 50% |
| 49ers | 14 | 7 | 50% |
| Cardinals | 11 | 5 | 45% |
| Patriots | 9 | 4 | 44% |
| Titans | 12 | 5 | 42% |
| Jaguars | 13 | 5 | 38% |
| Bears | 9 | 3 | 33% |
| Raiders | 12 | 3 | 25% |
| Seahawks | 6 | 0 | 0% |
