Welcome to the third and final installment of the 5th-year options series, which will focus on the 12 players from the 2021 NFL Draft class who had their 5th-year options declined last year, as well as one of the two players who were ineligible but still played in the NFL. Disclaimer: We will focus on the team that acquired the first-round pick who decided to decline their 5th-year options rather than the team that drafted them.
Also Read: 5th-Year Option Tracker for the 2021 NFL Draft
Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman
The Baltimore Ravens re-signed Rashod Bateman to a two-year, $12.87 million extension last offseason because he was ineligible for it, as he skipped the start of training camp in 2023. Bateman had a breakout 2024 season, boasting career highs in receiving yards, touchdowns, and games played. He hauled in 45 receptions for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games. He also had six receptions for 90 yards in two postseason games.
New Orleans Saints: Payton Turner
For the first time in his NFL career, Payton Turner managed to stay healthy all season long, participating in a career-high 16 games. However, Turner didn’t receive much playing time, representing 335 (31%) defensive snaps, stunting his growth. He recorded 21 tackles, three TFLs, three QB hits, two sacks, and two forced fumbles.
The Dallas Cowboys signed Turner to a one-year, $2.5 million contract.
Green Bay Packer: Eric Stokes
Eric Stokes managed to stay healthy all season long and, for the first time, played 17 regular-season games. Stokes began the year as the starting cornerback but later saw his role decrease and lost the starting job to Carrington Valentine. He recorded 41 tackles and allowed 36 receptions on 58 targets for 403 yards, three touchdowns, and a 100 passer rating in seven starts.
The Las Vegas Raiders signed Stokes to a one-year, $3.5 million deal.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka struggled at rushing the passer in 2024, posting the fewest tackles, TFLs, QB hits, and sacks. Tryon-Shoyinka recorded 24 tackles, three TFLs, four QB hits, two sacks, and one forced fumble in 15 games and 11 starts. He also posted two tackles and one QB hit in the Wild Card.
The Cleveland Browns signed Tryon-Shoyinka to a one-year, $4.75 million deal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, of the four players listed to have their 5th-year options declined or be ineligible, only one signed a multi-year deal, as the other three signed one-year contracts. Finally, of the four players, only one re-signed, as the other three signed elsewhere.
Also Read: What Now? 2021 1st Round Picks With Declined 5th-Year Options Pt 1, What Now? 2021 1st Round Picks With Declined 5th-Year Options Pt 2
