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 in the league, clubs must decide in the offseason if they want to exercise the option.
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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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: a) 75% or greater in two of their first three seasons b) an average of 75% or greater over all three seasons. c) 50% or greater over all three seasons. These players will have their fifth-year base salary calculated from the average of the 3rd- to 25th-highest salaries at their position over the past five seasons.
4. Basic: Players who do not meet any of the requirements above will have their fifth-year base salary calculated from the average of the 3rd- to 25th-highest salaries at their position over the past 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 3rd- to 25th-highest salaries for their position.
This year’s deadline for clubs to exercise the option is May 1.
Here’s a look at the fifth-year option totals for players selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft:
Fifth-Year Option Price Tags
Quarterback
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: $29,504,000 (one Pro Bowl)
- Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: $29,504,000 (one Pro Bowl)
- Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins: $23,171,000 (playing time)
- Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers: $20,272,000 (basic)
Running Back
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs: $5,461,000 (basic)
Wide Receiver
- Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings: $19,743,000 (multiple Pro Bowls)
- CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys: $17,991,000 (one Pro Bowl)
- Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers: $14,124,000 (playing time)
- Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos: $12,987,000 (basic)
- Jalen Reagor, Vikings: $12,987,000 (basic)
Offensive Tackle
- Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $18,244,000 (multiple Pro Bowls)
- Andrew Thomas, New York Giants: $14,175,000 (playing time)
- Jedrick Wills, Cleveland Browns: $14,175,000 (playing time)
- Austin Jackson, Dolphins: $14,175,000 (playing time)
- Mekhi Becton, New York Jets: $13,565,000 (basic)
Center
- Cesar Ruiz, New Orleans Saints: $14,175,000 (playing time)
Defensive End
- Chase Young, Washington Commanders: $17,452,000 (one Pro Bowl)
- K’Lavon Chaisson, Jacksonville Jaguars: $12,141,000 (basic)
Defensive Tackle
- Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers: $11,665,000 (playing time)
- Javon Kinlaw, 49ers: $10,455,000 (basic)
Linebacker
- Isaiah Simmons, Arizona Cardinals: $12,722,000 (playing time)
- Jordyn Brooks, Seattle Seahawks: $12,722,000 (playing time)
- Patrick Queen, Baltimore Ravens: $12,722,000 (playing time)
- Kenneth Murray, Chargers: $11,727,000 (basic)
Cornerback
- A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons: $12,344,000 (playing time)
- Jeff Okudah, Detroit Lions: $11,514,000 (basic)
- C.J. Henderson, Panthers: $11,514,000 (basic)
- Noah Igbinoghene, Dolphins: $11,514,000 (basic)
