2017 Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker

Teams across the NFL have until May 3 to officially pick up their 2017 options on players who are entering the final year of their rookie contracts. These fifth-year options can only be exercised on first-round picks, and the salaries are determined by where players were drafted and what position they play. Joel Corry of CBSSports.com has passed along the official salary figures for all 2017 fifth-year options, adding his thoughts on where each 2013 first-rounder stands.

If a player has his option exercised, his rookie contract will be extended by one year and he’ll be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2018, after the conclusion of the 2017 season. If a player’s option is declined, he’ll be eligible to hit the open market a year earlier. Of course, if a 2013 first-rounder is no longer on his rookie contract, there will be no option to exercise or decline. We explained the intricacies of the fifth-year option in a PFR Glossary post, so you can read up on the specific details there.

These 2017 option salaries are guaranteed for injury only up until the first day of the ’17 league year, at which point they become fully guaranteed. As such, some teams may exercise the options now, even if they’re not 100% sure they’ll keep the player, as Washington did last year with Robert Griffin III — there isn’t a ton of risk in picking up the option and maintaining as much roster flexibility as possible. Teams and players can also continue to negotiate long-term contracts from this point on.

With next month’s deadline looming, we’ll use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league based on various reports and official announcements. This post can be found anytime on the right-hand sidebar in the “PFR Features” section. Here are this season’s fifth-year option decisions so far:

  1. Eric Fisher, T (Chiefs), $11.902MM: Exercised
  2. Luke Joeckel, T (Jaguars), $11.902MM: Declined
  3. Dion Jordan, DE (Dolphins): Not applicable this year due to suspension (contract tolled)
  4. Lane Johnson, T (Eagles): Not applicable due to long-term extension
  5. Ezekiel Ansah, DE (Lions), $12.734MM: Exercised
  6. Barkevious Mingo, OLB (Browns), $11.925MM: Declined
  7. Jonathan Cooper, G (Patriots), $11.902MM: Declined
  8. Tavon Austin, WR (Rams), $12.268MM: Exercised
  9. Dee Milliner, CB (Jets), $11.913MM: Declined
  10. Chance Warmack, G (Titans), $11.902MM: Declined
  11. D.J. Fluker, G (Chargers), $8.821MM: Exercised
  12. D.J. Hayden, CB (Raiders), $8.026MM: Declined
  13. Sheldon Richardson, DE (Jets), $8.069MM: Exercised
  14. Star Lotulelei, DT (Panthers), $6.757MM: Exercised
  15. Kenny Vaccaro, S (Saints), $5.676MM: Exercised
  16. EJ Manuel, QB (Bills), $11.357MM: Declined
  17. Jarvis Jones, OLB (Steelers), $8.369MM: Declined
  18. Eric Reid, S (49ers), $5.676MM: Exercised
  19. Justin Pugh, G (Giants), $8.821MM: Exercised
  20. Kyle Long, G (Bears), $8.821MM: Exercised
  21. Tyler Eifert, TE (Bengals), $4.782MM: Exercised
  22. Desmond Trufant, CB (Falcons), $8.026MM: Exercised
  23. Sharrif Floyd, DT (Vikings), $6.757MM: Exercised
  24. Bjoern Werner, OLB: Not applicable due to release
  25. Xavier Rhodes, CB (Vikings), $8.026MM: Exercised
  26. Datone Jones, OLB (Packers), $8.369MM: Declined
  27. DeAndre Hopkins, WR (Texans), $7.915MM: Exercised
  28. Sylvester Williams, DT (Broncos), $6.757MM: Declined
  29. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR (Vikings), $7.915MM: Declined
  30. Alec Ogletree, LB (Rams), $8.369MM: Exercised
  31. Travis Frederick, C (Cowboys), $8.821MM: Exercised
  32. Matt Elam, S (Ravens), $5.676MM: Declined
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