NFL Analysis
2/7/24
3 min read
2024 NFL Free Agency: 5th-Year Option Costs For 2021 1st-Round Picks
All players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft sign four-year contracts with a team option for a fifth season. After the player finishes his third year, clubs must decide in the offseason if they want to exercise the option.
This year’s deadline for clubs to exercise the option is Tuesday, May 2.
Under the new CBA signed in 2020, the option is fully guaranteed once exercised (previously it was only guaranteed for injury). Furthermore, there are four tiers of salary for the fifth-year option.
5th-Year Option Tiers
Multiple Pro Bowls
Players who made more than two Pro Bowls on the original ballot (not alternate) will have their fifth-year base salary equal to the franchise-tag tender at their position.
One Pro Bowl
Players who made one Pro Bowl on the original ballot (not alternate) have their fifth-year base salary equal to the transition tag at their position.
Playing Time
These players didn’t make a Pro Bowl, but their snap counts during their first three seasons meet one of the following three requirements:
- 75 percent or greater in two of their first three seasons
- An average of 75 percent or greater over all three seasons.
- 50 percent or greater over all three seasons.
These players will have their fifth-year base salary calculated from the average of the third- to 25th-highest salaries at their position from the last five seasons.
Basic
Players who do not meet any of the requirements above will have their fifth-year base salary calculated from the average of the third- to 25th-highest salaries at their position during the last five seasons.
Prior to the new CBA, players drafted in the top 10 had their value set at the transition tag amount for their position. Picks 11-32 got a value equal to an average of the third- to 25th-highest salaries for their position.
That said, here’s a look at the official fifth-year option amounts for players selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
2021 5th-Year Options By Position
Quarterback
| Player | Team | Overall Pick | Value | Tier |
| Trevor Lawrence | Jaguars | 1st | $25,664,000 | Playtime |
| Zach Wilson | Jets | 2nd | $22,408,000 | Basic |
| Trey Lance | Cowboys | 3rd | $22,408,000 | Basic |
| Justin Fields | Bears | 11th | $25,664,000 | Playtime |
| Mac Jones | Patriots | 15th | $25,664,000 | Playtime |
Running Back
| Player | Team | Overall Pick | Value | Tier |
| Najee Harris | Steelers | 24th | $6,790,000 | Playtime |
| Travis Etienne | Jaguars | 25th | $6,143,000 | Basic |
Wide Receiver
| Player | Team | Overall Pick | Value | Tier |
| Ja’Marr Chase | Bengals | 5th | $21,816,000 | Multiple Pro Bowls |
| Jaylen Waddle | Dolphins | 6th | $15,591,000 | Playtime |
| DeVonta Smith | Eagles | 10th | $15,591,000 | Playtime |
| Kadarius Toney | Chiefs | 20th | $14,345,000 | Basic |
| Rashod Bateman | Ravens | 27th | $14,345,000 | Basic |
Tight End
| Player | Team | Overall Pick | Value | Tier |
| Kyle Pitts | Falcons | 4th | $10,878,000 | One Pro Bowl |
Offensive Line
| Player | Team | Overall Pick | Value | Tier |
| Penei Sewell | Lions | 7th | $19,040,000 | One Pro Bowl |
| Rashawn Slater | Chargers | 13th | $19,040,000 | One Pro Bowl |
| Alijah Vera-Tucker | Jets | 14th | $15,313,000 | Basic |
| Alex Leatherwood | N/A | 17th | N/A | N/A |
| Christian Darrisaw | Vikings | 23rd | $16,037,000 | Playtime |
Defensive End
| Player | Team | Overall Pick | Value | Tier |
| Micah Parsons | Cowboys | 12th | $21,324,000 | Multiple Pro Bowls |
| Kwity Paye | Colts | 21st | $13,387,000 | Basic |
| Payton Turner | Saints | 28th | $13,387,000 | Basic |
| Greg Rousseau | Bills | 30th | $13,387,000 | Basic |
Linebacker
| Player | Team | Overall Pick | Value | Tier |
| Zaven Collins | Cardinals | 16th | $13,251,000 | Basic |
| Jaelan Phillips | Dolphins | 18th | $13,251,000 | Basic |
| Jamin Davis | Commanders | 19th | $14,483,000 | Playtime |
| Odafe Oweh | Ravens | 31st | $13,251,000 | Basic |
| Joe Tryon-Shoyinka | Buccaneers | 32nd | $13,251,000 | Basic |
Cornerback
| Player | Team | Overall Pick | Value | Tier |
| Jaycee Horn | Panthers | 8th | $12,472,000 | Basic |
| Patrick Surtain II | Broncos | 9th | $19,802,000 | Multiple Pro Bowls |
| Caleb Farley | Titans | 22nd | $12,472,000 | Basic |
| Greg Newsome II | Browns | 26th | $13,377,000 | Playtime |
| Eric Stokes | Packers | 29th | $12,472,000 | Basic |
