With the May 2 deadline to claim fifth-year options on the 2014 draft class, it’s important to note how exceptional that draft class actually was. Since the new collective bargaining agreement was put in place in 2011, there have been four drafts where a fifth-year option was on the table for players taken in the first round. In all 23 players from the 2014 draft class were tendered their fifth-year option, an all-time high.
That’s in stark contrast with last year’s option tracker, which saw only 18 of the 32 picks taken in 2013’s first round get the fifth-year option on their rookie contracts picked up. That’s particularly low. In the first option period of the new agreement, 20 players got picked up from 2011’s draft class. In 2012, 21 were assigned a fifth-year option.
Not getting that option picked up is no sign a player’s stint with a team is over. It’s just that organization hedging its bets. Two years ago three first rounders who didn’t get their option selected (Mark Barron of the then St. Louis Rams, Nick Perry of the Green Bay Packers and Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) all ended up signing contract extensions.
Still, there’s a reason a team isn’t willing to fork over that fifth-year money to a player and with only eight players getting their options turned down this season, those reasons stand out.
One player not listed below, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Dominique Easley, doesn’t count toward either total. The team that drafted him, the New England Patriots, cut him last offseason, but the Rams picked him up and tendered him as a restricted free agent this offseason. He’ll be back with the team, effectively earning a fifth-year option at a reduced rate.
Declined or Nullified Fifth-Year Options
Pick No. 2: Greg Robinson, OT, Los Angeles Rams
Robinson was symbolic of the “planned” picks of the Jeff Fisher era with the Rams. The accidental picks, selections where the Rams just took the best guy later in the draft or round that fell to them completely by accident, all turned out fantastic. That’s how they landed Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Alec Ogletree and Todd Gurley. It was the picks that Fisher had too much time to think about where he screwed it up.
When you realize that Juwaun James turned out to be better than Greg Robinson 😊
— Phins Life (@lit_phins) May 2, 2017
My top rated tackle in this 2014 draft was Jake Matthews. And while he’s better than Robinson, he’s not the best. The best guy is Taylor Lewan, who the Titans picked at No. 11. Robinson is a good guy and great big teddy bear. He’ll get the chance to resucitate his career with a move to guard this season and could even earn the right to stay with the Rams. It happened before with Roger Saffold. But there will be no more talk of Greg Robinson as an NFL left tackle. He shows exactly what’s wrong with over-emphasizing NFL combine workouts instead of what actually happens on the field.
Pick No. 4: Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills
I’m actually surprised Watkins’ fifth-year option wasn’t picked up. The issue is just his health and a Bills team that has to feel stung by so many wideouts taken later in the draft being far, far superior to Watkins. When you add that Watkins cost Buffalo two first round picks, you can see why the urge to divorce after 2017 might be so strong.
I loved Sammy Watkins. Thought he'd be Dez Bryant with better concentration. Injuries suck.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) May 2, 2017
Who are those better wide receivers? Just ask the guys that win your fantasy leagues; Odell Beckham Jr. (taken at No. 12), Brandin Cooks (No. 20), Kelvin Benjamin (No. 28), Jordan Matthews (No. 42), Allen Robinson (No. 61) and Jarvis Landry (No. 63).
If Watkins does shake loose from Buffalo, he’ll find no shortage of suitors, but will probably have to settle for a one-year prove it deal like Alshon Jeffrey signed with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.
Pick No. 8: Justin Gilbert, CB, Cleveland Browns
Gilbert was the first pick of one of the most disastrous Cleveland Brown drafts of the decade. And considering how many drafts they’ve completely blown, that’s really saying something. Last season the Browns cut bait and traded Gilbert to division rival Pittsburgh. The Steelers cut him in February and he currently isn’t on an NFL team.
Pick No. 14: Kyle Fuller, CB, Chicago Bears
After a promising start to his career, Fuller has seen his own star dwindle over injuries. He was on injured reserve all last season. Though his fifth-year option wasn’t picked up, a healthy and productive 2017 will likely result in a new contract with Chicago.
Pick No. 18: Calvin Pryor, Safety, New York Jets
Considering the Jets took safeties in the first and second rounds of this year’s draft, Pryor can’t be surprised to not see his fifth-year option picked up. Frankly, he should be surprised to still be on the team once training camp starts. Pryor’s career isn’t over by any stretch, but he’ll have to go to another team and fight for a back up safety spot. His starting days are probably behind him.
Calvin Pryor watching Klecko announce that draft pick like pic.twitter.com/W9RhKLnayx
— Adam Gays (@JetsNihilist) April 28, 2017
Pick No. 22: Johnny Manziel, QB, Cleveland Browns
And here’s pick No. 2 of the all-time Cleveland Browniest draft. In the richest first round in recent history, if not ever, the Browns still managed to make the two worst picks. It’s like they did it on purpose. Manziel had (and has) all the talent to make it in the NFL and have a lengthy career, even if it’s just as a back up. What he’s never shown is the maturity and discipline it takes to keep a job so he, as of this writing, does not have one.
Pick No. 26: Marcus Smith, DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Smith has been a huge bust for the Eagles as a first rounder. He’s never made it into the starting line up in three seasons under two different coaching regimes. After three seasons in the NFL he has only four more sacks and 12 more tackles than I do. Once the Eagles cut Smith, his NFL time may be over.
The Eagles will not pick up the 5th year option on Marcus Smith! pic.twitter.com/KehY6SRJbq
— Made For Philly (@MadeForPhilly) May 1, 2017
Pick No. 32: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Minnesota Vikings
I wrote about Teddy Bridgewater a couple of days ago when this move (or non move) was first announced. It probably spells the end of a young player’s promising career and that’s a real bummer, not only for Bridgewater and the Vikings, but the entire NFL.
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