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NFL fifth-year option tracker: 2022 first-round draft class

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The deadline for NFL teams to pick up fifth-year options on the rookie contracts of 2022 first-round draft picks is May 1. Teams have to decide whether or not to keep those players for a fifth season.

Some teams will choose to sign players to contract extensions; others simply pick up or decline the option.

Below, we are tracking the entire 2022 class -- all but one is eligible for a fifth-year option -- and updating as teams make their decisions.


What is a fifth-year option?

According to OverTheCap.com, the 2020 collective bargaining agreement allows teams to exercise a fifth-year option for players drafted in the first round as an addition to the standard four-year rookie contract. Upon being exercised, the fifth-year option is fully guaranteed, and any base salary in the player's fourth year that was not fully guaranteed will become so. The fifth-year salary is calculated based on four tiers: basic, playing time, one Pro Bowl and multiple Pro Bowls.

The 2022 first-round draft class

No. 1 pick: Travon Walker, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars have picked up Walker's fifth-year option. Walker ranks 12th in the NFL in sacks (20.5) since 2023.


No. 2: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Detroit Lions

The Lions picked up Hutchinson's fifth-year option, who is expected to be fully healthy for the 2025 season after last season was cut short when he suffered a leg injury in Week 6.


No. 3: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, Houston Texans

Stingley signed a three-year, $90 million extension with the Texans in March, in which they also picked up his fifth-year option.


No. 4: Sauce Gardner, CB, New York Jets

The Jets are picking up the fifth-year option on Gardner, which will pay him $20.1 million in 2026. Gardner ranks tied for sixth in pass breakups (30) since entering the league in 2022.


No. 5: Kayvon Thibodeaux, OLB, New York Giants

The Giants have picked up Thibodeaux's fifth-year option, according to Adam Schefter, right after New York selected EDGE Abdul Carter No. 3 in the 2025 NFL Draft.


No. 6: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are picking up the fifth-year option on the left tackle, guaranteeing him a projected $17.56 million in 2026. Carolina did wait until after a draft in which it didn't add a tackle to pick up the option on a player who remains somewhat of a project in pass protection.


No. 7: Evan Neal, OT, Giants

The New York Giants are not picking up the fifth-year option on offensive lineman Evan Neal, general manager Joe Schoen said.


No. 8: Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons


No. 9: Charles Cross, OT, Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are exercising Cross' fifth-year option, a source tells ESPN's Brady Henderson. Cross ranks 32nd (89.5%) among NFL tackles in pass block win rate since 2022, according to ESPN Research. OverTheCap.com projects Cross's option to cost $17.56 million in 2026.


No. 10: Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets

The Jets are also picking up Wilson's fifth-year option, which is valued at $16.8 million for 2026. Wilson has 3,249 receiving yards (14th) and 14 touchdowns (T-38th) in 51 games since being drafted.


No. 11: Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints

The Saints announced they are picking up Olave's fifth-year option. In three seasons, Olave has played in 39 games for 191 receptions, 2,565 yards and 10 touchdowns.


No. 12: Jameson Williams, WR, Lions

The Lions exercised Williams' fifth-year option, which was an expected move to buy time on a contract extension. Williams, 24, is coming off his first 1,000-yard receiving season. "He's still scratching the surface. I do think he's got more in him as well, so I just think it just makes sense for us to do what we can to keep him around," general manager Brad Holmes said in March.


No. 13: Jordan Davis, DT, Philadelphia Eagles


No. 14: Kyle Hamilton, S, Baltimore Ravens


No. 15: Kenyon Green, OL, Eagles

Green was drafted by the Texans, but was traded to the Eagles for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on March 11.


No. 16: Jahan Dotson, WR, Eagles

Dotson was drafted by the Washington Commanders but was traded to the Eagles in August.


No. 17: Zion Johnson, OL, Los Angeles Chargers


No. 18: Treylon Burks, WR, Tennessee Titans


No. 19: Trevor Penning, OT, Saints

The Saints announced they are not picking up Penning's fifth-year option. As Penning enters his contract year, he's played in 40 games over three seasons.


No. 20: Kenny Pickett, QB, Cleveland Browns

The Browns announced on April 28 they are not picking up Pickett's fifth-year option. Cleveland, now Pickett's third NFL team, acquired the former Pitt star in a trade with the Eagles this offseason.


No. 21: Trent McDuffie, CB, Kansas City Chiefs


No. 22: Quay Walker, LB, Green Bay Packers


No. 23: Kaiir Elam, CB, Dallas Cowboys

Elam was drafted by the Buffalo Bills, but was traded to the Cowboys in March.


No. 24: Tyler Smith, OT, Cowboys

The Cowboys have picked up Smith's fifth-year option. Smith has been selected to the Pro Bowl twice in his first three years. The option will pay him $23.4 million in 2026.


No. 25: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Ravens


No. 26: Jermaine Johnson, DE, Jets

The Jets are also picking up Johnson's fifth-year option, which will pay him $13.4 million in 2026. Johnson has 10 sacks in 33 games since being drafted.


No. 27: Devin Lloyd, LB, Jaguars


No. 28: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Packers


No. 29: Cole Strange, G, New England Patriots


No. 30: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Chiefs


No. 31: Dax Hill, CB, Cincinnati Bengals


No. 32: Lewis Cine, S, Eagles

Cine was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, but was released prior to the start of the 2024 season, making him ineligible for a fifth-year option. Cine joined the Bills on their practice squad for the season before the Eagles claimed him prior to their Super Bowl-winning playoff run.