The 2021 NFL Draft was lauded for its plethora of quarterbacks that went inside the first round, headlined by Trevor Lawrence at No. 1 overall to Jacksonville. While Lawrence has proven to be a capable signal-caller under center for the Jaguars, the rest of the quarterbacks have been underwhelming, if not downright bad.
Sure, the rest of the quarterbacks may have not made as big of an impact on the NFL as their teams would have hoped, but that doesn't mean this draft class is without superstar talent. Ja'Marr Chase, Micah Parsons, Patrick Surtain II and DeVonta Smith are just some of the non-quarterbacks studs that came via this draft, and now those who were selected in the first round have reached a pivotal mile marker in their young careers.
The May 2 deadline for NFL teams to exercise the fifth-year option on the rookie contract of their first-round picks from the 2021 class has come and gone. For some, like Lawrence, they are now locked in through the 2025 season, while others (Mac Jones, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance) will now be free agents at the end of the upcoming year.
With the deadline passed, let's run through each first-rounder from that 2021 class who was eligible for the fifth-year option and whether or not their team decided to utilize it.
Fifth-year option tracker
| Player (team) | Fifth-year option decision | Projected contract |
|---|---|---|
Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) | $25.7 million | |
Zach Wilson (Broncos) | $22.4 million | |
Trey Lance (Cowboys) | $22.4 million | |
Kyle Pitts (Falcons) | $10.9 million | |
Ja'Marr Chase (Bengals) | $21.8 million | |
Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins) | $15.6 million | |
Penei Sewell (Lions) | $19 million | |
Jaycee Horn (Panthers) | $12.5 million | |
Patrick Surtain II (Broncos) | $19.8 million | |
DeVonta Smith (Eagles) | $15.6 million | |
Justin Fields (Steelers) | $25.7 million | |
Micah Parsons (Cowboys) | $21.3 million | |
Rashawn Slater (Chargers) | $19 million | |
Alijah Vera-Tucker (Jets) | $15.3 million | |
Mac Jones (Jaguars) | $25.7 million | |
Zaven Collins (Cardinals) | $13.3 million | |
Jaelan Phillips (Dolphins) | $13.3 million | |
Jamin Davis (Commanders) | $14.5 million | |
Kadarius Toney (Chiefs) | $14.3 million | |
Kwity Paye (Colts) | $13.4 million | |
Caleb Farley (Titans) | $12.5 million | |
Christian Darrisaw (Vikings) | $16 million | |
Najee Harris (Steelers) | $6.8 million | |
Travis Etienne (Jaguars) | $6.1 million | |
Greg Newsome II (Browns) | $13.4 million | |
Rashod Bateman (Ravens) | $14.3 million | |
Payton Turner (Saints) | $13.4 million | |
Eric Stokes (Packers) | $12.5 million | |
| Greg Rousseau (Bills) | Picked up | $13.4 million |
| Odafe Oweh (Ravens) | Picked up | $13.3 million |
| Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (Buccaneers) | Not picked up | $13.3 million |
Cowboys to pick up Micah Parsons' option
March 6 -- It comes as no surprise that the Cowboys will pick up Parsons' fifth-year option. That said, the team is doing some maneuvering by giving reportedly him his option as a defensive end rather than a linebacker, a move that will save the franchise roughly $3 million.
Eagles sign DeVonta Smith to extension
April 15 -- Philadelphia came to terms on a three-year extension with Smith which includes the club picking up his fifth-year option. So, the wideout is now tied to the Eagles for the next five years in total. The three-year extension is reportedly worth $75 million.
Broncos, Lions retain foundational pieces
April 23 -- Denver exercised the option on star cornerback Patrick Surtain II ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, even amid rumors they might try to dangle the cover man in trade talks for a potential move up. Detroit, meanwhile, signed sterling right tackle Penei Sewell to a lucrative $112 million deal that keeps him tied to Motor City for the long haul.
Jaguars pick up options on Lawrence, Etienne
April 29 -- The Jaguars announced on the Monday following the draft that they picked up the options on both Lawrence and Etienne. The former No. 1 overall pick is in active contract extension talks with the team, while his former college teammate is likelier to play the 2025 season on the option, though he could also get an extension.
Chargers pick up option on Slater
April 29 -- The Chargers picked up Slater's option over the weekend, and even after the team drafted Notre Dame's Joe Alt with the No. 5 overall pick, Jim Harbaugh quickly announced that Slater would remain the team's left tackle. One of the top players at his position, he should get an extension this offseason or next.
Jets exercise option for Vera-Tucker
April 29 -- Vera-Tucker has played both guard and tackle at different times in New York, but after the team acquired Morgan Moses via trade, signed Tyron Smith, and drafted Olu Fashanu, he should be able to stick at guard. The Jets picked up his option and he should become a mainstay on the interior.
Bills pick up Rousseau's option
April 29 -- The Bills picked up Rousseau's option on Monday. He's one of the team's best pass rushers, even if he hasn't quite developed into a star-level player just yet. It'll be interesting to see whether he signs an extension or if both he and the Bills want to see him put together a complete season before locking things in.
Dolphins pick up options on Phillips, Waddle
April 29 -- Miami officially picked up the fifth-year options on Jaylen Waddle and Jaelan Phillips on Monday. This comes as merely a formality as GM Chris Grier did note earlier this offseason the team's plan to pick both of these options up, ensuring they are both with the team at least through the 2025 season. Waddle has recorded 1,000-yard campaigns in each of his first three seasons in the league. As for Phillips, he is working his way back from an Achilles injury last season. When healthy, Phillips has proven to be an impact player on the defensive side of the ball.
Vikings pick up Christian Darrisaw's option
April 29 -- Minnesota has elected to pick up the fifth-year option on starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw. The 24-year-old was the No. 23 overall pick at the 2021 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech and has proven to be a sturdy piece at blindside tackle. In 15 games played last season, he allowed seven sacks and 28 pressures.