The 2014 NFL Draft class was one of the best ever. Most of the first-round selections of that class have been with their teams for almost four years. Now, their respective teams have the option of picking up or declining the fifth-year option on their four-year contracts.
This rule is under the latest collective bargaining agreement. The fifth-year option extends the player’s tenure with the team for at least another year. However, the salaries for the option vary. Top 10 picks will earn the average salary of the 10 highest-paid players at their position.
Teams have to make this decision prior to the player’s fourth year in the league. So, if a team wants to pick up their 2014 first-round draft pick’s fifth-year option, they have to exercise it before May 3. If the team declines the player’s option, he will become a free agent in 2018. On the other hand, teams can still sign their 2014 first-round picks to long-term deals without the fifth-year option. But they exercise the option if necessary.
If the player gets injured during his fifth year, the team still has to pay him all the guaranteed money.
Which 2014 first-round draft picks will stay with their teams for at least another season? We have that for you below:
Which players have had their 5th-year option exercised?
With so many great players from the 2014 class, there were a lot of no-brainer decisions for teams to make this year.
Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Houston Texans
Clowney was the first overall pick, but his career got off to a rough start. He tore his meniscus in the early stages of his rookie campaign and was placed on injured reserve. He returned to the field in his sophomore season and racked up 40 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 13 games. Clowney had a breakout year in 2016 that led to a Pro Bowl. He recorded 52 tackles and six sacks. Houston exercised the young defensive end’s fifth-year option, and he will make $13.8 million in 2018.
Blake Bortles, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bortles has experienced many ups and downs in his brief NFL career. There have been times when he looked like a franchise quarterback who could lead Jacksonville back to the postseason. Other times, like in 2016, he was a turnover machine who constantly put his team in bad situations. In a surprising move, the Jaguars will pick up Bortles’ fifth-year option, and he’ll earn a little over $19 million next year.
Khalil Mack, LB, Oakland Raiders
This move was obvious. Mack is considered one of the best pass rushers in the league. The two-time Pro Bowler won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award last season. In three seasons, Mack tallied 30 sacks and will earn $12.3 million next year.
Jake Matthews, LT, Atlanta Falcons
Matthews morphed into a starting-caliber left tackle. He’s played in 47 games in three seasons and is doing a great job of protecting Matt Ryan’s blindside. Of course, this was a move the Falcons had to make because Matthews is starting to show people why he was worth a first-round pick. The Texas A&M product will make $12.4 million in 2018.
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans is a big-bodied receiver who can move like a running back. He has solid hands and is an exceptional route-runner. Evans is Jameis Winston’s go-to target when the team desperately needs a big play. In three seasons, Evans has caught 238 passes for 3,578 yards and 27 touchdowns. He will earn $13.2 million next year.
Anthony Barr, LB, Minnesota Vikings
Barr doesn't make many eye-popping plays, but he’s been a model of consistency for the Vikings since 2014. He’s only missed six games in his career and is a ferocious hitter. In three seasons, Barr registered 208 tackles, 9.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and an interception. The two-time Pro Bowler will make $12.3 million in 2018.
Taylor Lewan, OT, Tennessee Titans
Lewan is one of the best tackles in the league. He can open up holes in the run game and has the pass-protection skills to keep quarterback Marcus Mariota upright. The Michigan alum went to his first Pro Bowl in 2016 and will make $9.3 million next year.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants
The Giants probably didn't have to think long and hard about this move. Beckham is one of the most dynamic players in the league. He’s a crisp route-runner who can line up anywhere on the field. The superstar receiver is no stranger to corralling difficult one-handed catches. He hauled in 288 receptions for 4,122 yards and 35 touchdowns in three seasons. Now, he’ll earn $8.4 million next year.
Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
Donald is the most disruptive defensive tackle in the NFL. He is a game-changer who could determine the outcome of games. That’s hard to do as a defensive tackle. The three-time Pro Bowler has an array of moves in his repertoire to get to the quarterback, and he can stop the run. In three seasons, Donald registered 163 tackles, four forced fumbles, and 28 sacks. The Pittsburgh product will make $6.8 million in 2018.
Ryan Shazier, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Shazier only played in 34 games in three seasons, but he is an aggressive linebacker when healthy. He went to the Pro Bowl last season after recording 87 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions, and three forced forced fumbles in 13 games. He did just enough for the Steelers to exercise his fifth-year option. If Shazier can stay healthy, he has the talent to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award one day. In 2018, he’ll take home $8.7 million.
Zack Martin, G, Dallas Cowboys
Martin is one of the best guards in the league, and he plays on the best offensive line the NFL has seen in years. The two-time All-Pro is a mauler in the run game and uses his strength and footwork to keep pass rushers from getting a hand on Dak Prescott. Martin will take home $9.3 million next year.
C.J. Mosley, LB, Baltimore Ravens
C.J. Mosley is a three-down linebacker who loves to deliver tenacious hits. He had the size to clog up rushing lanes and the speed and athleticism to drop back in coverage. The two-time Pro Bowler has 342 tackles and six interceptions in his career and he will earn $8.7 million in 2018.
Ja'Wuan James, OT, Miami Dolphins
James is a solid right tackle for the Dolphins. No, he isn't among the best, but he’s steadily improved year after year. He started all 16 games in 2016 and will stay in Miami for at least another season. James will take home $9.3 million next year.
Brandin Cooks, WR, New England Patriots
The New Orleans Saints drafted Cooks in 2014, and he turned out to be one of the most explosive receivers in the NFL. He can wreak havoc lined up on the perimeter and in the slot. The Saints traded the young receiver to the New England Patriots in March, and the Patriots decided to pick up the 23-year-old’s fifth-year option. Cooks has 215 receptions for 2,861 yards and 20 touchdowns in three seasons. The young receiver will earn $8.4 million in 2018.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Green Bay Packers
Clinton-Dix went to his first Pro Bowl in 2016 after racking up 80 tackles and five interceptions. He is a hard-hitting safety who can roam the field to make plays in the passing game. He is Green Bay’s best defensive back and will make $5.9 million next year.
Dee Ford, LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Ford burst on the scene with 10 sacks in 2016 and has only missed three games in his career. He has the skills and speed to get pressure on the quarterback. He has 15.5 career sacks and will take home $8.7 million in 2018.
Darqueze Dennard, CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Dennard doesn't make too many plays in the Bengals’ secondary, but he’s been productive and reliable for the past three seasons. He’s played in 39 out of 48 possible games. Dennard has 84 tackles and one interception in his career. His salary will be $8.5 million in 2018.
Jason Verrett, CB, Los Angeles Chargers
Verrett is a good cornerback with great ball skills. The only question that surrounds him is if he can stay healthy. A season-ending shoulder injury ended his rookie year in 2014. He only played in six games that season. In 2015, Verrett played in 14 games and went to the Pro Bowl. However, the injury bug bit him again in 2016, only playing in four games before he tore his ACL. Still, the Chargers will pick up Verrett’s fifth-year option. He will make $8.5 million next year.
Deone Bucannon, LB, Arizona Cardinals:
Before Bucannon helped popularize the Moneybacker position, he was a safety who could make big hits on ball carriers. Bucannon is a valuable player because he has the athleticism to play two important positions on defense. In three seasons, he racked up 284 tackles and four forced fumbles. He will now earn $8.7 million in 2018.
Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Carolina Panthers:
Benjamin is one of Cam Newton’s favorite targets. The Florida State alum towers over most defensive backs and is hard to stop on the perimeter. He has the size to win 50-50 balls and sneaky speed to race past defenders. He missed the entire 2015 season due to a torn ACL. When healthy, though, he is a game-changer at the receiver position. Benjamin has caught 136 passes for 1,949 yards and 16 touchdowns in his career. He will take home $8.4 million next year.
Jimmie Ward, CB, San Francisco 49ers
Ward is only 25 and has a lot of time to transform into a solid cornerback. In three seasons, he played in 35 games and racked up 130 tackles and two interceptions. The Northern Illinois product will earn $8.5 million in 2018.
Bradley Roby, CB, Denver Broncos
Roby has improved in each of his three seasons. He can get physical with receivers at the line of scrimmage, and he has the ball skills to snag interceptions. Roby has never missed a game in his entire career and should play a huge role in Denver’s secondary. He has five career interceptions and will take home $8.5 million in next year.
Eric Ebron, TE, Detroit Lions
Ebron has steadily improved as a pro, slowly grinding toward the expectations the Lions placed on him after grabbing him with the 10th overall pick. He had a career high 61 receptions and 711 receiving yards last fall, leading the Lions to pick up his fifth-year Monday. He’ll be a key target in Matthew Stafford’s push toward the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks — a role for which he’ll earn $8.25 million.
Which players have had their 5th-year options declined?
Like every draft class, some players didn't pan out and live up to their draft hype.
Greg Robinson, OT, Los Angeles Rams
Out of all the 2014 first-round picks not named Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel, Robinson is probably the worst. His career has been a huge disappointment because he can’t open up holes in the run game and is a liability in pass protection. The Rams will move him to right tackle to see if there is a potential fit. But Robinson’s future in Los Angeles is hanging by a thread.
Kyle Fuller, CB, Chicago Bears
The Bears decided decline Fuller’s fifth-year option, which means he could become a free agent in 2018. Fuller was on injured reserve in 2016 because of knee surgery. He’s only played in two seasons, racking up 119 tackles and six interceptions in that span.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Minnesota Vikings
A year ago, Bridgewater was coming off his best season as a pro, when he led the Vikings to a playoff berth. However, he missed the entire 2016 season after he suffered a torn ACL, dislocated knee joint, and structural damage. According to USA TODAY Sports, though, Bridgewater is participating in voluntary workouts with his teammates. His gruesome injury may keep him on the sidelines for another season, though. If Minnesota had exercised his fifth-year option, the team would have to pay him $12.1 million in 2018 even if he goes down with another injury.
Marcus Smith, DE, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles declined to exercise Smith’s fifth-year option, making him a free agent after the 2017 season. The defensive end has had just four sacks in his three seasons with the team. His cap number for the 2017 season is just under $2.5 million, and will be competing for playing time. During the offseason, the team signed Chris Long, and drafted Tennessee’s Derek Barnett to compete with Smith, along with Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry.
Calvin Pryor, S, New York Jets
The Jets added a pair of safeties with their first two picks of the 2017 NFL Draft, leading them to decline Pryor’s fifth year soon after. New York selected LSU standout Jamal Adams and Florida starter Marcus Maye last week, leaving the franchise stacked with center fielders but still lacking a reliable quarterback. Pryor was the 18th overall pick in 2014 but only has two interceptions so far in his pro career.
Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills
Watkins is solid when healthy, but injuries have limited him over the past two seasons. Picking up the option would guarantee Watkins’ 2018 salary for injury, but with his injury history, the Bills opted to decline his option as opposed to risking paying him $13 million guaranteed. If Buffalo chooses to keep Watkins, they could always apply the franchise tag in 2018. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport pointed out that the tag carries a higher one-year salary than Watkins’ option would have.
Which players are ineligible?
CB Justin Gilbert (traded from Browns to Steelers, released)
QB Johnny Manziel (released By Browns)
DT Dominique Easley (signed a restricted free agent contract with the Rams)