NFLTR Features

Breakdown Of The 2011 Draft Class With Regards To Fifth-Year Options & Extensions

November 22, 2013

Albert Breer of NFL.com offers some specifics regarding fifth-year options for the 2011 draft class.

This will be the first draft class impacted by the new rules that come from the most recent CBA agreement.

Teams can exercise options for first-round picks on the first day of the 2014 NFL season and will have until May 3 to do so.
Options for players taken in the top 10 will be worth the equivalent of the 2014 transition-tag number for their respective position.
Options for players taken No. 11 – No. 32 will be derived from the average of the No. 3 – No. 25 highest-paid players at their respective position.

According to Breer, these options are only guaranteed for injury upon being exercised, so teams can release a player later in the year without paying them the full option.

Here’s a look at the 2011 draft class and who could be in line for an extension or worth exercising their fifth-year option.

Pick	Team	Player	Option or Extension?
1	CAR	Cam Newton	CAR is almost certain to begin long-term contract talks this offseason, but an option is a no-brainer if a deal can’t be reached.
2	DEN	Von Miller	Long-term extension should be the Broncos top priority, but there are off-the-field concerns. Option is a contingency.
3	BUF	Marcell Dareus	According to Pro Football Focus, Dareus has been a top-12 DT for each season in the league. Extension should be discussed.
4	CIN	A.J. Green	Green is clearly among the best players at the WR position. Long-term extension should be discussed.
5	ARI	Patrick Peterson	ARI’s defense has great young pieces to build around. ARI is believed to be prepared to discuss a long-term deal this offseason.
6	ATL	Julio Jones	ATL’s season took a major turn for the worse after Jones went down. White is 31, so they need to get something done with Jones soon.
7	SF	Aldon Smith	Smith is another extension candidate, but SF needs to be careful how they spend their $. Off-the-field issues could impact their approach.
8	TEN	Jake Locker	Locker is the first real question mark of this draft class. TEN could pickup his option, but that would likely cost them $14M.
9	DAL	Tyron Smith	It’s surprising that Smith doesn’t get more attention. He’s been very solid for DAL and should be an extension candidate. DAL does have cap issues.
10	JAX	Blaine Gabbert	There’s no way Gabbert is back with the Jaguars next season. Not at the price tag that comes from picking up his option.
11	HOU	J.J. Watt	Watt needs a new contract asap. He has a good chance of being a once-in-a-generation talent.
12	MIN	Christian Ponder	His days in MIN are numbered. Taking the AVG salary of No. 3 – 25 QBs in 2013 would mean the MIN would have to pay him $11.5M. Not happening.
13	DET	Nick Fairley	Fairley got off to a slow start, but has proved to be a solid value pick. DET could have some cap issues next year. Extension makes sense.
14	STL	Robert Quinn	Quinn has become one of the best pass-rushers in the league and is still only 23. Extension should be discussed, but option is certain to be picked up.
15	MIA	Mike Pouncey	MIA has so many OL issues that they can’t allow a top-ten center to get away when he could be a building block. Extension would make more sense.
16	WAS	Ryan Kerrigan	It’s been surprising to see how well Kerrigan has played since entering the NFL. WAS defense needs more young talent. Extension makes sense.
17	NE	Nate Solder	Solder has been a top-20 OT the past two seasons and is now among the best LTs in the game. Extension could be discussed this offseason.
18	SD	Corey Liuget	Liuget has been up and down through three seasons with SD. There’s a chance they pick up his option, but that could be pricey.
19	NYG	Prince Amukamara	NYG always seem to need help at CB, but Prince hasn’t had a big impact thus far. I wouldn’t be surprised to them pass on picking up his extension.
20	TB	Adrian Clayborn	TB used their top-two selections in 2011 on DE, but neither has developed into a solid player worthy of their option being picked up.
21	CLE	Phil Taylor	Taylor has ability, but he has yet to develop into a great player. The option would likely cost them close to $5.5 – $6M. Option seems possible.
22	IND	Anthony Castonzo	Castonzo is serviceable at times, but not quite the type of player IND was hoping for. I can’t see them picking up an option that could be $8M.
23	PHI	Danny Watkins	Watkins is no longer with PHI and is currently on the Dolphins practice squad. Clearly a draft bust.
24	NO	Cameron Jordan	It’s been incredible to see how well Jordan is playing at 3-4 DE as opposed to 4-3 DE. Extension candidate for sure with an option in play.
25	SEA	James Carpenter	Carpenter hasn’t been very good since entering the league and is now playing G for SEA. An extension is possible, but would require a discount.
26	KC	Jonathan Baldwin	No longer with KC. Struggling to get playing time in SF. Another draft bust.
27	BAL	Jimmy Smith	Smith is an interesting case. He helped BAL win a SB, but hasn’t been all that great or consistent. An extension could be discussed, but no guarantees.
28	NO	Mark Ingram	Ingram has been rumored to be on the trading block for awhile now. There’s almost no chance of him getting an extension or his option picked up.
29	CHI	Gabe Carimi	No longer with CHI. Playing for TB right now. Another draft bust.
30	NYJ	Muhammad Wilkerson	NYJ got a steal with Wilkerson at No. 30. He’s one of the best players in the draft and at his position. Extension will be discussed and option is possible
31	PIT	Cameron Heyward	PIT has cap issues moving forward so it won’t be easy for the to keep Heyward who has been serviceable in recent years.
32	GB	Derek Sherrod	Suffered a serious leg injury that cost him close to two full seasons. It’s doubtful GB will discuss an extension at this point. Option is not happening.