NFL teams have until May 2nd 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?
The 33rd team outlined the four tiers and projected their base salary for their fifth season (2025).
9th Pick: Denver Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II: $19,802,000.
Surtain had an incredible rookie season, recording 58 tackles, four interceptions, one pick-six, and 14 pass deflections. He allowed 49 receptions on 96 targets for 545 yards, three touchdowns, and a 61.3 passer rating.
Surtain earned his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his second season, recording 60 tackles, two interceptions, ten pass deflections, and one forced fumble. He allowed 45 receptions on 77 targets for 468 yards, four touchdowns, and an 82.6 passer rating.
Surtain earned his second Pro Bowl in his third season, recording 69 tackles, one interception, and 12 pass deflections. He allowed 54 receptions on 91 targets for 660 yards, three touchdowns, and an 88.2 passer rating.
PREDICTION: They exercise his 5th-year option because he has developed into one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
10th Pick: Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith: $15,591,000
Smith recorded 64 receptions for 916 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season.
Smith recorded 95 receptions for 1,196 yards and seven touchdowns in his second season.
Smith recorded 81 receptions for 1,066 yards and seven touchdowns in his third season.
PREDICTION: They exercise his 5th-year option because he is important to their offense.
11th Pick: Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields: $25,664,000
Fields appeared in 12 games and started 10 in his rookie season, completing 159 out of 270 pass attempts (58.9%) for 1,870 yards and threw seven touchdowns to ten interceptions with a 2-8 record. He also rushed for 420 yards on 72 carries and two touchdowns. He cracked his ribs in Week 13 and missed the next two games. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 15 and missed the next two games. Finally, he missed the last regular season game with COVID.
Fields appeared in 15 games during his second season, completing 192 out of 318 pass attempts (60.4%) for 2,242 yards and threw 17 touchdowns to 11 interceptions with a 3-12 record. He also rushed for 1,143 yards on 160 carries and eight touchdowns. He suffered a shoulder injury in Week 11, missed Week 12, suffered a hip injury in Week 17, and missed the last regular season game.
Fields appeared in 13 games during his third season, completing 227 out of 370 pass attempts (61.4%) for 2,562 yards and threw 16 touchdowns to nine interceptions with a 5-8 record. He also rushed for 657 yards on 124 attempts and four touchdowns. He suffered a dislocated thumb in Week 6 and missed the next four games.
PREDICTION: They decline his 5th-year option because he hasn’t panned out, and there is a possibility he gets traded.
12th Pick: Dallas Cowboys EDGE Micah Parsons: $21,324,000
Parsons had an exceptional rookie season, earning his first Pro Bowl, All-Pro, and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. He had 84 tackles, 20 for a loss, 30 QB hits, 13 sacks, three pass deflections, and three forced fumbles.
Parsons earned his second Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his second season, recording 65 tackles, 13 for a loss, 26 QB hits, 13.5 sacks, three pass deflections, and three forced fumbles.
Parsons earned his third Pro Bowl in his third season, recording 64 tackles, 18 for a loss, 33 QB hits, 14 sacks, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble.
PREDICTION: They exercise his 5th-year option because he is one of the best pass rushers in the league.
13th Pick: Los Angeles Chargers LT Rashawn Slater: $19,040,000
Slater appeared in 16 games and earned his first Pro Bowl in his rookie season. He had six penalties, allowed four sacks, and had an 83.6 PFF Grade.
Slater appeared in three games in his second season. He had one penalty, allowed one sack, and had an 84 PFF Grade. He suffered a season-ending ruptured biceps tendon in Week 3.
Slater appeared in every game in his third season. He had eight penalties, allowed three sacks, and had a 76.6 PFF Grade.
PREDICTION: They exercise his 5th-year option because he is a crucial part of their offense. He also is one of the best-left tackles in the league.
14th Pick: New York Jets G Alijah Vera-Tucker: $15,313,000
Vera-Tucker played 16 games at left guard in his rookie season. He had five penalties, allowed two sacks, and had a 66.8 PFF Grade.
Vera-Tucker played right guard for their first three games, left tackle in Week 4, and right tackle in Weeks 5-7. He had one penalty, allowed one sack, and had a 71.8 PFF Grade. He suffered a season-ending torn triceps injury in Week 7.
Vera-Tucker played the first two games as a right guard and moved to right tackle for Weeks 3-5. He had one penalty, allowed two sacks, and had a 71.7 PFF Grade. He suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 5.
PREDICTION: They exercise his player option because, despite the back-to-back season-ending injuries, Vera-Tucker is arguably their best offensive lineman on the team.
15th Pick: New England Patriots QB Mac Jones: $25,664,000
Jones had an exceptional rookie season and earned his first Pro Bowl. He completed 352 out of 521 pass attempts (67.6%) for 3,801 yards and threw 22 touchdowns to 13 interceptions with a 10-7 record. New England made it to the Wild Card.
Jones appeared in 14 games in his second season, completing 288 out of 442 pass attempts (65.2%) for 2,997 yards and threw 14 touchdowns to 11 interceptions with a 6-8 record. He suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 3 and missed the next three games.
Jones started the first 11 games of his third season. He completed 224 out of 345 pass attempts for 2,120 yards and threw ten touchdowns to 12 interceptions with a 2-9 record. He got benched in four out of the 11 games, and New England named Bailey Zappe the starting quarterback for their last six games.
PREDICTION: They decline his 5th-year option because he struggled in his last two seasons, and New England is working towards trading him in the offseason.
16th Pick: Arizona Cardinals LB Zaven Collins: $13,251,000
Collins appeared in 17 games and started six in his rookie season. He recorded 25 tackles, one for a loss, and three pass deflections. He was the starter at the beginning of the season and moved to the backup role.
Collins appeared in 16 games and started 16 in his second season. He recorded 100 tackles, 11 for a loss, four QB hits, two sacks, one interception, one pick-six, six pass deflections, and one forced fumble.
Collins switched to outside linebacker in his third season. He recorded 41 tackles, six for a loss, six QB hits, 3.5 sacks, one interception, and three pass deflections.
PREDICTION: They decline his 5th-year option because he hasn’t developed into an elite linebacker or pass rusher.
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