The 2011 CBA introduced the fifth-year option, and teams have taken advantage of the flexibility with first-round picks throughout its existence. Despite the options being guaranteed for injury only from 2014 — the first year this contract clause came into play — until 2020, teams did not act aggressively to extend players early. Here are the first-round picks in the option era to be signed to extensions with two years of team control remaining:
2011 draft:
- Patrick Peterson, Cardinals: signed five-year, $70.1MM deal in July 2014
- Tyron Smith, Cowboys: signed eight-year, $97.6MM extension in July 2014
- J.J. Watt, Texans: signed six-year, $100MM extension in September 2014
- Robert Quinn, Rams: signed four-year, $57MM deal in September 2014
2012 draft:
- Whitney Mercilus, Texans: signed four-year, $26MM deal in May 2015
- Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins: signed six-year, $96MM extension in May 2015
- Luke Kuechly, Panthers: signed five-year, $61.8MM accord in September 2015
2013 draft:
- Lane Johnson, Eagles: signed five-year, $56.26MM extension in January 2016
- Eric Fisher, Chiefs: signed four-year, $48MM deal in July 2016
- Travis Frederick, Cowboys: signed six-year, $54.6MM extension in August 2016
- Tavon Austin, Rams: signed four-year, $42MM contract in August 2016
- Kyle Long, Bears: signed four-year, $40MM deal in September 2016
2015 draft:
- Todd Gurley, Rams: signed four-year, $57.5MM deal in July 2018
2016 draft:
- Carson Wentz, Eagles: signed four-year, $128MM extension in June 2019
- Jared Goff, Rams: signed four-year, $134MM deal in September 2019
- Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys: agreed to six-year, $90MM accord in September 2019
2017 draft:
- Christian McCaffrey, Panthers: signed four-year, $64MM extension in April 2020
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs: signed 10-year, $450MM deal in July 2020
- Myles Garrett, Browns: signed five-year, $125MM extension in July 2020
- Tre’Davious White, Bills: signed four-year, $69MM pact in September 2020
- Deshaun Watson, Texans: signed four-year, $156MM deal in September 2020
- Marlon Humphrey, Ravens: signed five-year, $97.5MM accord in October 2020
2018 draft:
- Kolton Miller, Raiders: signed three-year, $54MM deal in March 2021
- Frank Ragnow, Lions: agreed to four-year, $54MM pact in May 2021
- Josh Allen, Bills: agreed to six-year, $258MM extension in August 2021
2019 draft:
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals: signed five-year, $230.5MM deal in July 2022
2020 draft:
- Justin Herbert, Chargers: signed five-year, $262.5MM extension in July 2023
- Andrew Thomas, Giants: signed five-year, $117.5MM deal in July 2023
- Joe Burrow, Bengals: signed five-year, $275MM extension in September 2023
2021 draft:
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles: agreed to three-year, $75MM extension in April 2024
- Penei Sewell, Lions: agreed to four-year, $112MM extension in April 2024
The Cowboys and Vikings, respectively, did not extend Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb last year, keeping an under-the-radar streak involving receivers intact. But the Eagles broke new ground by giving Smith an early deal, making him the first Round 1 wideout in the option era to receive an extension with two years of rookie-deal control remaining.
Although Jordan Love signed a deal that extended his contract through 2024, the Packers starter’s new contract does not run beyond the point where his fifth-year option would have gone. Nearly a third of the players to sign early extensions have been quarterbacks. Tannehill, Watson and Wentz did not receive another extension from their respective teams, being traded before the respective contracts expired — in Watson’s case, before the new years even started.
The 2014 draft saw a record 23 options exercised, but no member of the stellar first-round group — headlined by Aaron Donald, Khalil Mack and Zack Martin — saw a payday come until 2018. While Donald waited until Year 5, Rams also have shown a steady interest — both during and before Sean McVay‘s tenure — in extending first-rounders after three years. Their four such extensions lead the pack through 10 option-era offseasons.
Cardinals are regretting that signing lol
Kyler played poorly down the stretch and as soon as the off season started he cried for his money. He hasn’t earned it yet. From the draft capital they are accumulating and the fact that they are going to be in the bottom 5 of the league this season there is a good chance Arizona drafts a new QB1 this upcoming draft.
Every player on the list but one signed an extension of 4 years or more. I wonder what Kolton Miller’s agent was thinking when he agreed to a 3 year deal.
I’d prefer only 3 year deals in the league. Each offseason, every position gets ‘reset’ for new annual value. By year 3 of a contract, said player says ‘Its not fair I’m not paid top 5 money now!’. Like clockwork.
59.38% 5th Yr Option Rate over a 10-year span.
Seems reasonable considering about 20% of first round picks are plain misfires and those that aren’t have to stay both healthy and productive through those first 4 years.
I would like to see the Mock Draft People publish their 5th Yr Option rate for their top 10 picks year by year. It could mimic the ~60% rate, but could be +or- It would let the reader know what level of entertainment they are about to read.