<
>

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

play
What happens to the Browns if they pass on QB with No. 2 pick? (1:19)

Louis Riddick joins "NFL Live" to adamantly explain why the Cleveland Browns need an elite quarterback to have success in the future. (1:19)

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


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


No. 6: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, Carolina Panthers


No. 7: Evan Neal, OT, Giants


No. 8: Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons


No. 9: Charles Cross, OT, Seattle Seahawks


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


No. 12: Jameson Williams, WR, Lions


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


No. 20: Kenny Pickett, QB, Cleveland Browns

Pickett was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers but was traded to the Eagles in 2024. After one season, he was then traded to the Browns 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


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.