NBA draft 2020: The Report Card
NFL Fifth-year Player Options: Tracking Team Decisions For 2021 First-rounders
The 2024 NFL Draft is over. Next up on the league's calendar: Thursday's deadline for teams to decide whether to exercise the fifth-year options of players drafted in 2021's first round.
When exercised, these options translate into pay increases for players while keeping them under contract through the 2025 season. The options also help buy teams more evaluation time in advance of contract negotiations. Many teams have already announced their decisions to exercise these options, and some first-round picks from the Class of 2021 have already received long-term extensions.
Here's a rundown of where each 2021 first-round pick stands. Not included on this list: Offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood, drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 17 but cut in August 2022. He is a free agent.
Long-term extensions Penei Sewell, OT, Detroit LionsPick: 7
Still just 23 years old, Sewell signed a four-year, $112 million extension with the Lions last week, which includes $85 million guaranteed. He is now under contract through 2029 and is the league's highest-paid offensive lineman at an average annual value of $28 million per year.
DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia EaglesPick: 10
One day after picking up the $15.59 million fifth-year option, the Eagles agreed to sign the wideout (coming off two straight 1,000-yard seasons) to a three-year, $75 million extension with a $20.35 million signing bonus and $51 million guaranteed.
Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore RavensPick: 27
Bateman received a two-year contract extension last week that will keep him in Baltimore through the 2026 season. He certainly has the ability to be an impactful wide receiver, and the Ravens always need more weapons for Lamar Jackson, but durability and consistency have limited him throughout his first three seasons. Terms of the deal have not been publicized, but his 2025 option was $14.35 million. Committing to this increase or something similar (up from $2.38 million in 2024) is a big leap.
Fifth-year option exercised Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville JaguarsPick: 12025 option: $25.66 million
Lawrence has been solid. He has yet to reach an elite level, but he does have a playoff win under his belt and seems likely to continue to ascend under the tutelage of Doug Pederson. The two sides continue discussions toward a long-term deal.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta FalconsPick: 42025 option: $10.88 million
Pitts is poised for a big year with Kirk Cousins now directing a tight-end friendly offense. The former Florida star, who recorded a 1,000-yard season as a rookie, should notch a second after two down years fueled largely by poor quarterback play.
Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati BengalsPick: 52025 option: $21.82 million
Chase is one of the best wideouts in the game, with three straight 1,000-yard seasons (two 1,200-plus). Is a record-breaking extension next?
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami DolphinsPick: 62025 option: $15.59 million
Waddle began his career with three straight 1,000-yard seasons. Miami expects more of the same in years to come.
Jaycee Horn, CB, Carolina PanthersPick: 82025 option: $12.47 million
Lockdown corners are highly valued, and that's why the Panthers exercised Horn's option, with an eye toward extending him beyond 2025.
Pat Surtain II, CB, Denver BroncosPick: 92025 option: $19.8 million
The Broncos have parted with offensive players while reshaping the roster, but they are expected to do everything possible to hang on to Surtain, who's regarded as one of the best defensive backs in the game.
GO DEEPER
As awards pile up for Broncos CB Pat Surtain, contract extension question looms
Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas CowboysPick: 122025 option: $21.32 million
Parsons is one of the NFL's most dominant playmakers. Dallas wisely exercised his option last week and will eventually likely work out an extension.
Rashawn Slater, OT, Los Angeles ChargersPick: 132025 option: $19.04 million
Slater looks like one of the best young left tackles in the game, and the Chargers know they must do everything possible to keep Justin Herbert upright.
Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, New York JetsPick: 142025 option: $15.31 million
Vera-Tucker certainly is talented, and a quality offensive line is a high priority for the Jets as they welcome Aaron Rodgers back from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in Week 1. But Vera-Tucker has had season-ending injuries twice in the last three years, so he does have something to prove the next two years.
Jaelan Phillips, edge, Miami DolphinsPick: 182025 option: $13.25 million
Phillips has shown great promise. A torn Achilles tendon ended his 2023 campaign prematurely, so picking up the option made sense. The decision gives him time to prove he can regain top form while the Dolphins continue to evaluate him for a potential multiyear contract extension.
Christian Darrisaw, OT, Minnesota VikingsPick: 232025 option: $16.04 million
Darrisaw is a talented young left tackle who will serve the Vikings and their future franchise quarterback (J.J. McCarthy?) well. Exercising the option was an easy call.
Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville JaguarsPick: 252025 option: $6.143 million
Coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, Etienne is an important part of Jacksonville's offense, so the option makes plenty of sense.
Greg Newsome II, CB, Cleveland BrownsPick: 262025 option: $13.38 million
Newsome hasn't proven he's a player worthy of a salary exceeding $10 million per year, but he's a solid player, and is still growing.
Greg Rousseau, edge, Buffalo BillsPick: 302025 option: $13.39 million
Rousseau is promising, but not yet dominant, as he enters season No. 4. You can never have too many edge rushers, however, so picking up the option gives him more time to develop and Buffalo more time to evaluate.
Scoop City Newsletter Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox. Sign up
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox. Sign up
Buy
Still waiting Zach Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos (traded from New York Jets) Pick: 22025 option: $22.41 million
The Jets traded Wilson and a 2024 seventh-round pick to the Broncos last week for a sixth-rounder. After drafting Bo Nix 12th overall, and with an incumbent veteran in Jarrett Stidham, the Broncos are unlikely to pick up Wilson's option. Instead, he's probably nothing more than a one-year experimental backup.
Trey Lance, QB, Dallas Cowboys (traded from San Francisco 49ers)Pick: 32025 option: $22.41 million
As the Cowboys' third quarterback, Lance didn't set foot on the field last season. Dallas is unlikely to exercise the fifth-year option, but the one-time future of the 49ers could stay with the Cowboys in 2025 at a lower price.
Justin Fields, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (traded from Chicago Bears)Pick: 112025 option: $25.66 million
Fields may wind up being the quarterback of the future in Pittsburgh depending on how he develops behind Russell Wilson. But the Steelers will likely wait and see how things play out rather than pick up the option.
Mac Jones, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (traded from New England Patriots)Pick: 152025 option: $13.25 million
Jones was a low-cost, one-year experimental acquisition as an insurance policy for Lawrence, but the Jaguars can find another backup at a lower cost next season.
Zaven Collins, LB, Arizona CardinalsPick: 162025 option: $13.25 million
Collins flashed here and there as an inside linebacker and last season tried to transition to an edge rusher. He shows some promise, but enough to warrant such a salary? Probably not.
Kadarius Toney, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (traded from New York Giants)Pick: 202025 option: $14.35 million
Toney has talent. And given the Rashee Rice situation, Kansas City needs wide receiver help. But Toney is far too unreliable both on and off the field to justify exercising the option.
Kwity Paye, edge, Indianapolis ColtsPick: 212025 option: $13.39 million
The former Michigan standout is coming off a career-best 8 1/2-sack season and does seem to have potential to further ascend and be a consistently good — not dominant — player. Is it worth picking up the option, which would be a reasonable deal for Indianapolis if Paye notches a double-digit-sack 2024 season? Or should the Colts roll the dice and wait until next year to decide on his future, even if it means competition on the market?
GO DEEPER
Kwity Paye's fifth-year option: Why Colts should and shouldn't pay Paye
Caleb Farley, CB, Tennessee TitansPick: 222025 option: $12.47 million
Injuries have limited Farley to a combined 12 games (two starts) in three seasons, and he didn't play at all in 2023. Expect the Titans to decline the option.
Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh SteelersPick: 242025 option: $6.79 million
The run game is extremely important to the Steelers, especially as they try to support their reclamation project quarterback tandem of Russell Wilson and Fields. Running backs always face longevity issues, so extending Harris another season via option will save Pittsburgh from having to make a big multiyear commitment, for now.
Payton Turner, edge, New Orleans SaintsPick: 282025 option: $13.39 million
Turner has never played a full season; an eight-game 2022 showing was his best. He hasn't shown anything to warrant exercising the option.
Eric Stokes, CB, Green Bay PackersPick: 292025 option: $12.47 million
Stokes has hardly seen the field the last two seasons, so Green Bay will likely decline the option.
Odafe Oweh, edge, Baltimore RavensPick: 312025 option: $13.25 million
Oweh seemingly was on the rise before an injury derailed his 2023 season. The Ravens are high on him, though, and believe he can further develop into a top pass rusher.
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, edge, Tampa Bay BuccaneersPick: 322025 option: $13.25 million
Tryon-Shoyinka has flashed but hasn't settled into that consistent level of impactful playmaking the Bucs would like. They've had some losses on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, so using the option to buy more time for both Tryon-Shoyinka and themselves might be the right call.
Declined LB Jamin Davis, Washington CommandersPick: 192025 option: $14.48 million
Davis has had a minimal impact in Washington. He did record 104 tackles and three sacks in 2022, but his shortcomings are more plentiful than his impactful moments. Washington was content to decline his option to see if Dan Quinn (a better defensive mind than Jack Del Rio) can position Davis for growth in 2024.
(Top photos of Najee Harris and Kwity Paye: Jane Gershovich and Rob Carr / Getty Images)
Ranking The Biggest NFL Draft Busts Of The Last 30 Years
In the NFL Draft, each franchise is provided 10 minutes to make their draft choice. To prepare for that crucial moment of being "On The Clock" and selecting that potentially franchise-altering pick, every club puts in an incalculable effort of study and scrutiny. Everything is examined thoroughly under a figurative microscope. From a players' score on the Wonderlic test of cognitive ability to the size of a quarterback's hands, no stones are left unturned.
Despite the endless undertaking of finding that perfect selection, sometimes, it just doesn't work out.
The few draft picks that go on to have long and very successful careers are forever enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with a well-sculpted, lifelike bust. Ironically, the players who couldn't live up to their Draft Day hype, are forever labeled as a bust.
A player being labeled as a bust can be subjective, but BestOdds.Com has employed a simple methodology designed to create the most credible possible rankings: the players must have been a top 10 pick, their on-field performance must be terrible based on comparative metrics for their position (or the player must have issues keeping them off the field entirely), and their negative impacts on their respective franchises must be widely recognized.
These rankings were produced by researching the last 30 editions of the NFL draft, dating back to 1994. Obviously, there were Draft busts prior to 1994, like the Buffalo Bills drafting linebacker Tom Cousineau with the first-overall pick in 1979 and the Green Bay Packers No. 2-overall selection of "The Incredible Bulk," offensive tackle Tony Mandarich, in 1989.
Cousineau never suited up for Buffalo, taking a larger contract offer from the CFL's Montreal Alouettes. Mandarich was later tabbed as "The Incredible Bust" after steroid issues dismantled his career. Mandarich was the only man of the top five picks in the 1989 Draft to not end up in the Hall of Fame; the other four were Troy Aikman, Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders.
Cousineau and Mandarich were draft busts, but luckily for them, they played out their short careers on standard-definition television, and long before the internet took over. Some of the more recent draft busts had their careers go up in smoke in ultra high definition television or in crystal clear 4K for all to see, even when we wanted to shut our eyes to block the horror of their failures.
Let's examine the 10 biggest NFL Draft busts of the last 30 years.
Zach Wilson NFL Career Statistics
Zach Wilson had a strong senior season at BYU and the New York Jets bought into Wilson's rising stock, drafting him with the second-overall pick in 2021. The 2021 NFL Draft class for quarterbacks has become one of the more scrutinized in recent years, and Wilson is arguably the worst QB in that underwhelming group.
The Jets' signing of Aaron Rodgers in 2023 signaled the end of Wilson's time in New York after just two years. Rodgers suffered an ankle injury on the Jets' opening drive of the season, and head coach Robert Saleh had to trot out Wilson as the "starter" for one more abysmal campaign. Considering that Wilson is now a member of the Denver Broncos, it's fair to say that the Jets were unimpressed.
Troy Williamson NFL Career Statistics
The Minnesota Vikings traded Randy Moss to the Oakland Raiders in March 2005, and the following month in the 2005 NFL Draft, Minnesota selected Troy Williamson, a speedy receiver from South Carolina to fill the Moss-sized hole in their receiving corps.
Williamson's quick feet couldn't work in tandem with his stone-like hands. After dropping enough passes to drop himself down the depth chart, Williamson quickly fell out of favor for the Vikings. Minnesota passed on Roddy White, who went to Atlanta with the 27th pick. White would catch 808 passes for 10,863 yards and 63 touchdowns, which would have made a better fit as a Randy Moss replacement.
Lawrence Phillips NFL Career Statistics
Nebraska Cornhusker Lawrence Phillips was a star running back in college, winning back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995. It was Phillips' off-field matters that continuously made headlines. Phillips was charged with a series of crimes in 1994, and his 1995 season was shortened to just five appearances after yet another arrest.
The St. Louis Rams ignored the red flags and focused on the talent, drafting Phillips sixth overall in 1996. On the same day that St. Louis selected Phillips, the Rams would trade their then-running back (and future Hall of Famer), Jerome Bettis, to the Pittsburgh Steelers. After 25 games as a member of the Rams, Phillips would eventually be cut from St. Louis' roster for drinking during pregame warmups and finding himself in a series of legal troubles.
Justin Blackmon NFL Career Statistics
Justin Blackmon won the Biletnikoff Award (NCAA's Best Receiver) twice in his college career, so naturally he was high up on draft boards. After being selected with the fifth pick in the 2012 draft, Blackmon showed promise in his first season, leading the Jaguars in receptions.
Blackmon's 2013 was limited by groin surgery and violating the league's substance abuse policy before the season. Blackmon violated the policy several more times, and, while still under suspension, Blackmon was arrested for marijuana possession. The parade of violations led to Blackmon being suspended for the entirety of the 2014 season. The NFL denied Blackmon's petition for reinstatement in 2015 and the fifth-overall pick's NFL career was over after only 20 games.
Trent Richardson NFL Career Statistics
Trent Richardson was the focal point for a championship-winning offense at Alabama and a highly touted draft prospect. Cleveland would take the swing on Richardson with the third pick in the 2012 NFL Draft (two picks before Justin Blackmon).
Richardson struggled to split the gaps in the offensive line and fought for little-to-no yards on almost every carry, plodding for measly gains. In 2013, Cleveland completed a rare September trade, sending Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts after just 17 games in a Browns uniform. Richardson's career never materialized in Indianapolis either and his NFL career was over after only 46 games. Since the Richardson blunder, Cleveland has not selected a running back in the first round.
Heath Shuler NFL Career Statistics
After a successful 1993 season at the University of Tennessee, finishing runner-up in Heisman voting and being named SEC Conference Player of the Year, Heath Shuler was a top QB Draft prospect heading into the 1994 NFL Draft.
Shuler put on myriad terrible passing displays in his rookie year, including a five-interception disaster in a Week 7 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. At various points of the 1994 season, Shuler was being replaced by Washington's seventh-round draft pick, quarterback Gus Frerotte, with Frerotte taking over the QB1 spot in 1995. A third-overall pick losing his job to a seventh-round pick is a telltale sign of a bust.
Akili Smith NFL Career Statistics
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Akili Smith third-overall in 1999 and his tenure with the club got off to a rocky start. Smith held out of training camp prior to his rookie season over a contract dispute, and in the end, Smith received a seven-year, $56 million contract before ever taking a snap in the NFL.
When Smith finally got on the field, his disastrous performances were largely attributed to his inability to learn the team's playbook, his lackluster approach to film study, and missing offseason appointments. The next QB off the board was Daunte Culpepper with the eleventh pick, and Culpepper would throw 33 touchdown passes in his first full season in 2000.
Charles Rogers NFL Career Statistics
Charles Rogers produced 1,000+ receiving yards and 10+ touchdowns in both of his seasons at Michigan State and was viewed as the top receiver in the 2003 NFL Draft. The Detroit Lions made Rogers the highest-drafted receiver with their second-overall pick.
One injury after another kept Rogers off the field. Rogers broke his collarbone in a practice session in 2003, then broke his collarbone again on the opening drive of the 2004 season. Adding to the series of injuries were multiple violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy. After just 15 career games, Rogers' NFL career came to an end.
Ryan Leaf NFL Career Statistics
The discussion for the first overall pick of the 1998 NFL Draft came down to two names: Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. After Leaf made it known to the Indianapolis Colts that he would prefer to be in San Diego, Leaf fell to the Chargers with the second-overall pick.
Leaf's rookie season was a disaster, but his potential growth in his sophomore season was cut down by a shoulder injury. After pushing back against his teammates and the media and failing to put in the work, Leaf was released by San Diego after only 18 starts.
JaMarcus Russell NFL Career Statistics
JaMarcus Russell's physical presence was impossible to ignore. Listed at 6'6" and weighing 265 pounds, the big-bodied QB was viewed as "the quarterback of the future." Despite being the first-overall pick, Russell only started one game in his rookie season, and once Russell stepped onto the field, it was hard to imagine his own future.
Russell's size began to be noticed for all the wrong reasons, showing up overweight, and his on-field production was reaching new lows. After producing the lowest passer rating in the NFL in 2009, Russell was released by Oakland prior to the 2010 season and never played another snap.
The pool of talent in every NFL Draft is a minefield of superstars and busts, and when a franchise lands on a bust, it sends a shockwave through the organization and their fanbase. The NFL Draft is not an exact science, and "can't-miss" prospects can miss. As these 10 players have shown, massive hype and high hopes can be fleeting.
This story was produced by BestOdds.Com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.
NFL Rumors: Michael Gallup, Raiders Agree To 1-Year Contract After Cowboys Release
Cooper Neill/Getty ImagesFormer Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup reportedly "plans" to sign a one-year deal worth $3 million with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Gallup played for Dallas from 2018-2023 after joining the Cowboys as a third-round pick. He broke out in his second NFL season, catching 66 passes for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns. Gallup still fared well the year after even though he played most of the year without quarterback Dak Prescott, who suffered season-ending leg injuries in Week 5. For the year, Gallup snagged 59 more passes for 843 yards and five scores.
In 2021, Gallup suffered a calf injury that kept him out for the first two months of the season. He returned midseason and caught 39 passes for 424 yards and four touchdowns in nine games but suffered a torn ACL against the Arizona Cardinals on Jan. 2, 2022.
The Cowboys still wanted Gallup around long-term and signed him to a five-year, $57.5 million contract.
The former Colorado State star hasn't been the same since as other Cowboys receivers overtook him on the depth chart. He caught just 39 passes for 424 yards and four scores in 2022 before posting a 34/418/2 stat line in 2023.
Dallas released Gallup in March, saving $9.5 million in cap space.
While Gallup hasn't returned to his pre-torn ACL form, perhaps a change of scenery is needed. He faced much competition for targets from the likes of CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Dalton Schultz or Jake Ferguson and more in Dallas. Perhaps a new spot where he can carve out a new role and thrive is exactly what's needed.
Granted, he'll face similar competition for targets in Las Vegas, where Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers sit atop the depth chart at wide receiver and Michael Mayer and rookie Brock Bowers offer solid options at tight end.
Gallup will be favored to win the team's WR3 position, though it's still possible that he'll only be the fourth or fifth option in the team's passing game.
Comments
Post a Comment