NFL fifth-year option tracker: Full list of every team's decision about first-round picks from 2023 NFL Draft
The deadline for teams to pick up options was May 1
The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft was a fascinating one. There were a trio of quarterbacks selected in the top four picks, with Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson all coming off the board early. There were stars that were found both early (Will Anderson Jr., Devon Witherspoon, Jalen Carter, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs) and later (Christian Gonzalez, Jaxon Smith-Njigba) in the first round, at positions considered both premium and not. And of course, there were plenty of whiffs as well.
Three years after these players had their dreams come true on draft day, their teams are now in a position where they have to decide on their futures. All first-round contracts are guaranteed for four seasons, but they also contain an option for the team to extend the player a fifth year, also fully guaranteed. And the decision on whether to do so had to be made by May 1.
In the space below, we're going to track each of the first-round draft picks by whether they had their option picked up or declined, or whether they signed a contract extension with their team. As a reminder, there were only 31 picks in the first round of the 2023 draft because the Miami Dolphins forfeited their selection as punishment for violations of the league's anti-tampering policy.
Fifth-year option tracker
| Pick | Player (team) | Team | Fifth-year option decision | Projected contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryce Young | Panthers | Picked up | $25.9 million |
| 2 | C.J. Stroud | Texans | Picked up | $25.9 million |
| 3 | Will Anderson Jr. | Texans | Extended | 3 years, $150 million |
| 4 | Anthony Richardson | Colts | Declined | $22.4 million |
| 5 | Devon Witherspoon | Seahawks | Picked up | $21.2 million |
| 6 | Cardinals | Picked up | $19.1 million | |
| 7 | Saints | Declined | $14.5 million | |
| 8 | Bijan Robinson | Falcons | Picked up | $11.3 million |
| 9 | Jalen Carter | Eagles | Picked up | $27.1 million |
| 10 | Bears | Picked up | $19.1 million | |
| 11 | Titans | Picked up | $19.1 million | |
| 12 | Jahmyr Gibbs | Lions | Picked up | $14.3 million |
| 13 | Packers | Picked up | $13.8 million | |
| 14 | Steelers | Declined | $19.1 million | |
| 15 | Jets | Picked up | $13.8 million | |
| 16 | Rams | Declined | $12.6 million | |
| 17 | Christian Gonzalez | Patriots | Picked up | $18.1 million |
| 18 | Lions | Declined | $21.9 million | |
| 19 | Buccaneers | Picked up | $14.5 million | |
| 20 | Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Seahawks | Extended | 4 years, $168.6 million |
| 21 | Chargers | Picked up | $18.0 million | |
| 22 | Ravens | Picked up | $27.3 million | |
| 23 | Vikings | Picked up | $18.0 million | |
| 24 | Giants | Declined | $12.6 million | |
| 25 | Bills | Picked up | $8.2 million | |
| 26 | Jets | Declined | $13.9 million | |
| 27 | Jaguars | Picked up | $19.1 million | |
| 28 | Bengals | Declined | $14.5 million | |
| 29 | Bryan Bresee | Saints | Picked up | $13.9 million |
| 30 | Nolan Smith | Eagles | Picked up | $13.8 million |
| 31 | Felix Anudike-Uzomah | Chiefs | Declined | $14.5 million |
