NFL teams face a critical decision for their 2023 first-round picks: exercise the fifth-year option and retain the player through the 2027 season, or decline it and allow them to reach free agency a year earlier than expected.
The fifth-year option is one of the clearest signals a front office can send about a player's standing within an organization.
Picking it up buys a team one more year of cost-controlled production and leverage in extension talks.
Declining it, especially for a high-profile pick, is a public acknowledgment that a player hasn't lived up to expectations.
The 2023 draft class is headlined by quarterbacks Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, EDGE rusher Will Anderson Jr, and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
This year's fifth-year option decisions will generate significant attention and carry real consequences for team cap space, fantasy dynasty trade values, and NFL futures odds heading into 2026.
The deadline to exercise or decline fifth-year options for the 2023 draft class is May 1, 2026.
We're tracking every decision below.
Last Updated: March 21
2023 Draft Class Fifth-Year Option Tracker:
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | 5th-Year Value | Exercised |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Panthers | Bryce Young | QB | $25.9 million | Yes |
| 2 | Texans | C.J. Stroud | QB | $25.9 million | TBD |
| 3 | Texans | Will Anderson Jr. | EDGE | $21.5 million | TBD |
| 4 | Colts | Anthony Richardson | QB | $22.5 million | TBD |
| 5 | Seahawks | Devon Witherspoon | CB | $21.2 million | Yes |
| 6 | Cardinals | Paris Johnson Jr. | OL | $19.1 million | TBD |
| 7 | Raiders | Tyree Wilson | EDGE | $14.5 million | TBD |
| 8 | Falcons | Bijan Robinson | RB | $11.3 million | TBD |
| 9 | Eagles | Jalen Carter | DL | $27.1 million | TBD |
| 10 | Bears | Darnell Wright | OL | $19.1 million | TBD |
| 11 | Titans | Peter Skoronski | OL | $19.1 million | TBD |
| 12 | Lions | Jahmyr Gibbs | RB | $14.3 million | TBD |
| 13 | Packers | Lukas Van Ness | EDGE | $13.8 million | TBD |
| 14 | Steelers | Broderick Jones | OL | $19.1 million | TBD |
| 15 | Jets | Will McDonald IV | EDGE | $13.8 million | TBD |
| 16 | Rams | Emmanuel Forbes | CB | $12.6 million | TBD |
| 17 | Patriots | Christian Gonzalez | CB | $18.1 million | TBD |
| 18 | Lions | Jack Campbell | LB | $21.9 million | TBD |
| 19 | Buccaneers | Calijah Kancey | DL | $14.5 million | TBD |
| 20 | Seahawks | Jaxon Smith-Njigba | WR | $23.9 million | Yes |
| 21 | Chargers | Quentin Johnston | WR | $18.0 million | TBD |
| 22 | Ravens | Zay Flowers | WR | $27.3 million | TBD |
| 23 | Vikings | Jordan Addison | WR | $18.0 million | TBD |
| 24 | Giants | Deonte Banks | CB | $12.6 million | TBD |
| 25 | Bills | Dalton Kincaid | TE | $8.1 million | TBD |
| 26 | Jets | Mazi Smith | DL | $13.9 million | TBD |
| 27 | Jaguars | Anton Harrison | OL | $19.1 million | TBD |
| 28 | Bengals | Myles Murphy | EDGE | $14.5 million | TBD |
| 29 | Saints | Bryan Bresee | DL | $13.9 million | TBD |
| 30 | Eagles | Nolan Smith | EDGE | $13.8 million | TBD |
| 31 | Chiefs | Felix Anudike-Uzomah | EDGE | $14.5 million | TBD |
Fifth-year option values from Over The Cap.
How many players had their fifth-year option picked up?
As of March 21, three 2023 first-round draft picks have had their fifth-year option picked up, but many more will be added to the list before the May 1 deadline.
Which players had their fifth-year option picked up?
- Bryce Young, QB, Panthers – $25.9 million
- Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seahawks – $21.2 million
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks – $23.9 million
Which players had their fifth-year option declined?
- None
What NFL team has been the most successful using the fifth-year option?
The Carolina Panthers have been the most successful franchise at using the fifth-year option, picking up the fifth year or signing an extension with 11 of their 12 first-round picks (92%) since the option's inception.
| Rank | Team | Total | Hits* | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Panthers | 12 | 11 | 92% |
| 2 | Texans | 10 | 9 | 90% |
| 3 | Rams | 8 | 7 | 88% |
| 4 | Falcons | 12 | 10 | 83% |
| 5 | Chiefs | 9 | 7 | 78% |
| 6 | Chargers | 13 | 10 | 77% |
| 7 | Bengals | 13 | 10 | 77% |
| 8 | Cowboys | 11 | 8 | 73% |
| 9 | Dolphins | 14 | 10 | 71% |
| 10 | Lions | 13 | 9 | 69% |
| 11 | Jets | 16 | 11 | 69% |
| 12 | Saints | 14 | 9 | 64% |
| 13 | Bills | 11 | 7 | 64% |
| 14 | Bucs | 11 | 7 | 64% |
| 15 | Eagles | 11 | 7 | 64% |
| 16 | Colts | 8 | 5 | 63% |
| 17 | Packers | 13 | 8 | 62% |
| 18 | Broncos | 10 | 6 | 60% |
| 19 | Ravens | 14 | 8 | 57% |
| 20 | Commanders | 11 | 6 | 55% |
| 21 | Giants | 15 | 8 | 53% |
| 22 | 49ers | 14 | 7 | 50% |
| 23 | Browns | 16 | 8 | 50% |
| 24 | Vikings | 16 | 8 | 50% |
| 25 | Steelers | 11 | 5 | 45% |
| 26 | Cardinals | 11 | 5 | 45% |
| 27 | Patriots | 10 | 4 | 40% |
| 28 | Jaguars | 15 | 6 | 40% |
| 29 | Titans | 13 | 5 | 38% |
| 30 | Bears | 9 | 3 | 33% |
| 31 | Raiders | 12 | 3 | 25% |
| 32 | Seahawks | 7 | 1 | 14% |
*Fifth year exercised or multi-year extension
Fifth-Year Option Hit Rate by Position
Tight ends have earned the highest fifth-year option rate by position, with 7 of 8 (88%) first-round TEs getting the fifth year or an extension.
| Rank | Position | Total | Hits | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TE | 8 | 7 | 88% |
| 2 | DT | 36 | 25 | 69% |
| 3 | DB | 73 | 47 | 64% |
| 4 | T | 50 | 32 | 64% |
| 5 | DE | 49 | 30 | 61% |
| 6 | WR | 50 | 30 | 60% |
| 7 | QB | 34 | 20 | 59% |
| 8 | LB | 40 | 20 | 50% |
| 9 | C | 9 | 4 | 44% |
| 10 | G | 20 | 8 | 40% |
| 11 | RB | 14 | 5 | 36% |
Fifth-Year Option Hit Rate by Pick Number
Unsurprisingly, the No. 1 overall pick has the highest hit rate for fifth-year options, with every No. 1 pick either getting extended or their option picked up.
| Pick | Hits | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | 100% |
| 2 | 7 | 58% |
| 3 | 6 | 50% |
| 4 | 9 | 75% |
| 5 | 10 | 83% |
| 6 | 9 | 75% |
| 7 | 7 | 58% |
| 8 | 8 | 67% |
| 9 | 8 | 67% |
| 10 | 7 | 58% |
| 11 | 10 | 83% |
| 12 | 8 | 67% |
| 13 | 10 | 83% |
| 14 | 9 | 75% |
| 15 | 6 | 50% |
| 16 | 9 | 75% |
| 17 | 9 | 75% |
| 18 | 8 | 67% |
| 19 | 5 | 42% |
| 20 | 6 | 50% |
| 21 | 8 | 67% |
| 22 | 4 | 33% |
| 23 | 7 | 58% |
| 24 | 7 | 58% |
| 25 | 8 | 67% |
| 26 | 6 | 50% |
| 27 | 7 | 58% |
| 28 | 2 | 17% |
| 29 | 2 | 17% |
| 30 | 7 | 58% |
| 31 | 5 | 42% |
| 32 | 2 | 17% |
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