The 2020 NFL Draft Class set a record for the fewest 1st-round picks to have their 5th-year option exercised. Out of the 32 players selected, 12 had theirs exercised, one got extended, four were ineligible, one tragically passed away, and 14 had theirs declined, marking the smallest number of players to have theirs exercised since it became a thing in 2011.
We will focus on the 14 players who had their options declined and one of the four who were ineligible but still play in the NFL.
Washington Commanders: Chase Young
The Commanders declined Chase Young’s $17.452 million, fully-guaranteed option. Young played seven games with the Commanders in 2023, with 15 tackles, six TFLs, and five sacks.
The San Francisco 49ers traded for him during the NFL Trade Deadline. He played nine games with the 49ers in 2023, with ten tackles, one TFL, 2.5 sacks, and a 74.4 PFF Grade. He also had eight tackles, two TFLs, and one sack in three playoff games.
He signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the New Orleans Saints.
Atlanta Falcons: Jeff Okudah
The Lions traded Jeff Okudah to the Falcons in April. The Lions ate $1.5 million of his 2023 salary as part of the trade, and because of that, Okudah was ineligible for the option.
He played 13 games with 44 tackles, three pass deflections, a 50.5 PFF Grade, and allowed 38 receptions on 58 targets for 528 yards and a 94.6 passer rating.
He signed a one-year, $4.75 million contract with the Houston Texans.
Arizona Cardinals: Isaiah Simmons
The Cardinals declined Isaiah Simmons’s $12.722 million, fully guaranteed option. The Cardinals traded Simmons to the Giants in August.
He played every game with 50 tackles, two TFLs, one sack, one interception, one pick-six, three pass deflections, one forced fumble, and a 68.9 PFF Grade.
He signed a one-year, $2 million extension with the Giants.
Carolina Panthers: C.J. Henderson
The Panthers declined C.J. Henderson’s $11.514 million, fully guaranteed option. Henderson played 12 games with 39 tackles, two pass deflections, a 45.4 PFF Grade, and allowed 27 receptions on 37 targets for 310 yards, one touchdown, and a 106.8 passer rating.
He signed a one-year contract worth up to $3.25 million with the Houston Texans.
New York Jets: Mekhi Becton
The Jets declined Mekhi Becton’s $13.565 million, fully guaranteed option. Becton played 16 games with 18 penalties, 12 sacks allowed, and a 53.2 PFF Grade.
He signed a one-year contract worth up to $5.5 million with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, one out of the five players re-signed with the team they played for in 2023, four signed with new teams, and one signed for more than $10 million this offseason
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