Teams have until May 2 to exercise or decline the 5th-year options for the 1st-round picks of the 2021 NFL Draft.
How are the 5th-year options calculated?
Players are organized into four separate tiers to determine their value for the 2025 season. The 33rd team goes into detail about the tiers and their estimated values.
17th Pick: Las Vegas Raiders OT Alex Leatherwood: N/A.
Leatherwood struggled in his rookie season, making four starts at RT and 13 at RG. He had 14 penalties, allowed eight sacks, and had a 45 PFF Grade.
Las Vegas released Leatherwood during roster cuts in his second season, and Chicago claimed him off waivers. He was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list on September 14 and was activated on October 28. He appeared in four games. He had zero penalties, allowed one sack, and had a 60.1 PFF Grade.
Chicago released Leatherwood, and he signed to Cleveland’s practice squad. His contract expired on January 13.
PREDICTION: N/A because he is a free agent.
18th Pick: Miami Dolphins LB Jaelan Phillips: $13,251,000.
Phillips recorded 42 tackles, nine for a loss, 16 QB hits, 8.5 sacks, and one pass deflection in his rookie season.
Phillips recorded 61 tackles, eight for a loss, 25 QB hits, seven sacks, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble in his second season.
Phillips recorded 43 tackles, seven for a loss, 11 QB hits, 6.5 sacks, one interception, and two pass deflections in his third season. He missed Week 2 with a back sprain, Week 4 and 5 with an abdomen strain, and suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 12.
PREDICTION: They exercise his 5th-year option because he has developed into a consistent pass rusher.
19th Pick: Washington Commanders LB Jamin Davis: $14,483,000.
Davis appeared in 16 games and started eight in his rookie season, registering 76 tackles, three for a loss, two QB hits, one sack, and one pass deflection.
Davis appeared in 16 games and started 15 in his second season, registering 104 tackles, nine for a loss, five QB hits, three sacks, and one pass deflection.
Davis appeared in 13 games and started 13 in his third season, registering 89 tackles, eight for a loss, three QB hits, three sacks, one interception, four pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 13.
Prediction: They decline his 5th-year option because he hasn’t developed into an elite linebacker.
20th Pick: New York Giants WR Kadarius Toney: $14,345,000.
Toney appeared in 10 games in his rookie season, recording 39 receptions for 420 yards. He missed seven games because of multiple injuries.
Toney appeared in two games with New York in his second season, recording two receptions for zero yards. He suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 and missed the next five games. Kansas City traded for Toney during the trade deadline. He appeared in seven games with Kansas City, recording 14 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns. He suffered another hamstring injury in Week 10 and missed Weeks 11-13.
Toney appeared in 13 games in his third season, recording 27 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown. He missed Week 12, Weeks 16-18, the Wild Card, the Divisional, and the AFC Championship game because of a hip and ankle injury. He was also a healthy scratch for the Super Bowl.
PREDICTION: They decline his 5th-year option because he’s been inconsistent and cannot stay healthy.
21st Pick: Indianapolis Colts DL Kwity Paye: $13,387,000.
Paye appeared in 15 games and started 15 in his rookie season. He had 32 tackles, three for a loss, ten QB hits, four sacks, one pass deflection, and one forced fumble.
Paye appeared in 12 games and started 12 in his second season. He had 45 tackles, ten for a loss, ten QB hits, and six sacks. He suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 5 and missed Weeks 6-8, and re-injured his ankle in Week 10 and missed Weeks 11-12.
Paye appeared in 16 games and started 16 in his third season. He had 52 tackles, eight for a loss, nine QB hits, 8.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
PREDICTION: They exercise his 5th-year option because he is turning into a reliable pass rusher.
22nd Pick: Tennessee Titans CB Caleb Farley $12,472,000.
Farley appeared in three games in his rookie season, recording four tackles and one pass deflection. He allowed seven receptions on nine targets for 75 yards and a passer rating of 101.4. He suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 6.
Farley appeared in nine games in his second season, recording ten tackles. He allowed eight receptions on 12 targets for 198 yards, one touchdown, and a passer rating of 137.5. He suffered a season-ending herniated disc injury in Week 10.
Farley did not play in his third season because of a back procedure.
PREDICTION: They decline his 5th-year option because he hasn’t been able to get consistent playing time because of the injuries.
23rd Pick: Minnesota Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw: $16,037,000.
Darrisaw appeared in 12 games in his rookie season. He had three penalties, allowed five sacks, and had a 71.9 PFF Grade. He missed the first three games with a groin injury and suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 11 and missed the next two games.
Darrisaw appeared in 14 games in his second season. He had two penalties, allowed five sacks, and had a 90.3 PFF Grade. He missed three games because of a concussion.
Darrisaw appeared in 15 games in his third season. He had seven penalties, allowed six sacks, and had an 82.4 PFF Grade. He didn’t play in Week 2 because of a knee injury and missed Week 9 because of a groin injury.
PREDICTION: They exercise his 5th-year option because he is one of the best-left tackles in the league.
24th Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris: $6,790,000.
Harris had an incredible rookie season, earning his first Pro Bowl. He rushed for 1,200 yards on 307 attempts and seven touchdowns. He also had 74 receptions for 467 yards and three touchdowns.
Harris rushed for 1,034 yards on 272 carries and seven touchdowns in his second season. He also had 41 receptions for 229 yards and three touchdowns.
Harris rushed for 1,035 yards on 255 carries and eight touchdowns in his third season. He also had 29 receptions for 170 yards.
PREDICTION: They exercise his 5th-year option because he’s important to their offense.
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