NFL fifth-year option tracker: Who is staying beyond 2017?

NFL teams have the ability to keep their first round picks for an additional year. Which teams utilized the NFL fifth-year option?

Less than a week out of the 2017 NFL Draft we’re grading the players before they’ve stepped on an NFL field. It’s absurd sometimes to make these statements, yet it’s done based on perceived talent and value. The first true tell-tale assessment of whether a player can be deemed a bust is when the NFL fifth-year option comes into play.

NFL teams have until May 3 to announce whether they will exercise a fifth-year option in the contracts of their 2014 first round draft picks. Should a team decline the option year the player will become a free agent at the end of this season.

As of Tuesday evening, every club announced their intentions regarding whether one of their young players will return for at least one more year.

Here’s what we know so far: six players had their options declined, three players are already off their original teams, and the remaining had their options picked up.

Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) rushes the passer against the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Houston – Jadeveon Clowney, Exercised
2. L.A. Rams – Greg Robinson, Declined
3. Jacksonville – Blake Bortles, Exercised
4. Buffalo – Sammy Watkins, Declined
5. Oakland – Khalil Mack, Exercised
6. Atlanta – Jake Matthews, Exercised
7. Tampa Bay – Mike Evans, Exercised
8. Cleveland – Justin Gilbert, Released
9. Minnesota – Anthony Barr, Exercised
10. Detroit – Eric Ebron, Exercised
11. Tennessee – Taylor Lewan, Exercised
12. N.Y. Giants – Odell Beckham Jr., Exercised
13. L.A. Rams – Aaron Donald, Exercised
14. Chicago – Kyle Fuller, Declined
15. Pittsburgh – Ryan Shazier, Exercised
16. Dallas – Zack Martin, Exercised
17. Baltimore – C.J. Mosley, Exercised
18. N.Y. Jets – Calvin Pryor, Declined
19. Miami – Ja’Wuan James, Exercised

Nov 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) against the Green Bay Packers at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers defeated the Vikings 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

20. New England – Brandin Cooks, Exercised (Traded by New Orleans)
21. Green Bay – Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Exercised
22. Cleveland – Johnny Manziel, Released
23. Kansas City – Dee Ford, linebacker, Exercised
24. Cincinnati – Darqueze Dennard, Exercised
25. L.A. Chargers – Jason Verrett, Exercised
26. Philadelphia – Marcus Smith, Declined
27. Arizona – Deone Bucannon, Exercised
28. Carolina – Kelvin Benjamin, Exercised
29. L.A. Rams – Dominique Easley, Released
30. San Francisco – Jimmie Ward, Exercised
31. Denver – Bradley Roby, Exercised
32. Minnesota – Teddy Bridgewater, Declined

Not too many surprises come across the docket this year with the fifth-year options. Teddy Bridgewater and Sammy Watkins (if healthy) would certainly be worthy of having their option exercised, but the lack of availability hurts them.

Bridgewater is recovering from a potentially career-ending leg injury suffered in practice last year, while Watkins is dealing with a foot injury. Buffalo could potentially franchise Watkins, which would be a lower price compared to the contract option.

It’s not a surprise to see Marcus Smith II have his option declined either after Philadelphia added a pass rusher in this years draft. Smith II was a pick made by former coach Chip Kelly after missing on Brandin Cooks and HaHa Clinton-Dix. The former Louisville linebacker has 12 career tackles in zero starts for Philadelphia.

Next: Jamaal Charles stays in AFC West

Johnny Manziel, Justin Gilbert, and Dominique Easily were released prior to the deadline.

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