NFL 5th year option tracker for 2018 draft class

The window to begin exercising fifth-year options for players from the 2018 NFL Draft class began January 4th and closes on May 3rd. The way fifth-year options work has changed since the last collective bargaining agreement, as all of a player’s fourth- and fifth-year base salary become fully guaranteed once their fifth-year option is picked up. In the past, teams could still release players before locking in those base salaries.

There are also changes in the total salary players will be eligible to receive, as it is no longer based solely on draft slot, instead, performance is taken into consideration. Playing time and Pro Bowl nods help a player see more money tacked onto their base salary.

When comparing what a player would have made under the old rules, some players will see significantly less in base salary for their fifth-year, while others would see a boost. But overall, getting all their money guaranteed through their fifth-season is a good thing for NFL players. But, having their salary based off Pro Bowl selections is odd, as a fan vote helps determine which players will get paid more. And we know that fan votes aren’t the most accurate.

Fifth-year option exercised

QB Baker Mayfield — The Browns will exercise the No. 1 pick’s option, per Jim Trotter. His 2022 salary will be $18.858M.

RB Saquon Barkley — The Giants will exercise the No. 2 pick’s option, per Adam Schefter. His 2022 salary will be $7.21M.

QB Sam Darnold — The Panthers will exercise the Jets No. 3 pick’s option, per Tom Pelissero. His 2022 salary will be $18.858M.

CB Denzel Ward — The Browns will exercise the No. 4 pick’s option, per Ian Rapoport. His 2022 salary will be $13.294M.

DE Bradley Chubb — The Broncos will exercise the No. 5 pick’s option, per Mike Silver. His 2022 salary will be $12.716M.

LG Quenton Nelson — The Colts will exercise the No. 6 pick’s option, per Adam Schefter. His 2022 salary will be $13.754M.

QB Josh Allen — The Bills, will exercise the No. 7 pick’s option, per Bills. His 2022 salary will be $23.106M.

LB Roquan Smith — The Bears will exercise the No. 8 pick’s option, per Ian Rapoport. His 2022 salary will be $7.538M.

RT Mike McGlinchey — The 49ers will exercise the No. 9 pick’s option, per Jennifer Lee Chan. His 2022 salary will be $10.88M.

S Minkah Fitzpatrick — The Steelers will exercise the No. 11 pick’s option exercised, per Ian Rapoport. His 2022 salary will be $9.753M.

DT Vita Vea — The Bucs will exercise the No. 12 pick’s option, per Greg Auman. His 2022 salary will be $7.538M.

DT Da’Ron Payne — Washington will exercise the No. 13 pick’s option, per James Palmer. His 2022 salary will be $8.529M.

EDGE, Marcus Davenport — The Saints will exercise the No. 14 pick’s option, per Nick Underhill. His 2022 salary will be $9.553M.

LB Tremaine Edmunds — The Bills, will exercise the No. 16 pick’s option, per Bills. His 2022 salary will be $12.716M.

S Derwin James — The Chargers will exercise the No. 17 pick’s option, per Albert Breer. His 2022 salary will be $9.052M.

CB Jaire Alexander — The Packers will exercise the No. 18 pick’s option, per Jeremy Fowler. His 2022 salary will be $13.294M.

C Frank Ragnow — The Lions will exercise the No. 20 pick’s option, per Ian Rapoport. His 2022 salary will be $12.6574M.

LT Isaiah Wynn — The Patriots will exercise the No. 23 pick’s option, per Albert Breer. His 2022 salary will be $10.413M.

WR D.J. Moore — The Panthers will exercise the No. 24 pick’s option, per Adam Schefter. His 2022 salary will be $11.116M.

WR Calvin Ridley — The Falcons will exercise the No. 26 pick’s option, per Falcons. His 2022 salary will be $11.116M.

QB, Lamar Jackson — The Ravens will exercise the No. 32 pick’s option, per Adam Schefter. His 2022 salary will be $23.106M.

Player signed a contract extension

OT Kolton Miller — The Raiders signed Miller to a three-year extension worth $68.7M and $42.6M guaranteed, per Jeremy Fowler.

Fifth-year option not exercised

QB Josh Rosen — The 2018 10th overall pick lost his option after the Dolphins released him in 2020
LB Leighton Vander Esch — The Cowboys will not exercise the option on the 2018 19th overall pick, per Michael Gehlken.
C Billy Price — The Bengals will not exercise their 2018 21st overall pick’s option, per Adam Schefter
LB Rashaan Evans — The Titans will not exercise their 2018 22nd overall pick’s option, per Adam Schefter
TE Hayden Hurst — The Falcons will not exercise the option on the 2018 25th overall pick, per Jeremy Fowler
RB Rashaad Penny — The Seahawks will not exercise the option on the 2018 27th overall pick, per Ian Rapoport.
S Terrell Edmunds — The Steelers will not exercise the option on the 2018 28th overall pick, per Tom Pelissero.
IDL Taven Bryan — The Jaguars will not exercise the option on the 2018 29th overall pick, per Tom Pelissero.
CB Mike Hughes — The Vikings will not exercise the option on the 2018 30th overall pick, per Jeremy Fowler.
RB Sony Michel — The Patriots will not exercise the option on the 2018 31st overall pick, per Ian Rapoport.