Considering fifth-year options for the first-round picks of the 2021 NFL Draft: Who is worthy of more dedication?
Now that the players selected in the 2021 NFL Draft have completed their third regular season, first-round picks in the class must decide which of their five-year options to exercise.
To start their careers, all drafted rookies are given four-year contracts; however, teams can choose to extend that agreement for a fifth year by adding players selected in the first round of the draft. For the Class of 2021, the fifth-year option window opened on January 8 and ends on May 2. Which players, then, should remain with their current teams for the 2025 season?
Today, I’ll examine the 32 players who were eligible in Round 1 of that 2021 draft and offer my assessment on who should get the fifth-year option.
In the grand scheme of things, the Jaguars’ dismal 2023 campaign shouldn’t change the team’s feelings toward Lawrence. The former No. 1 overall pick has rebounded in his two seasons with Doug Pederson, surpassing 4,000 yards and 20 touchdowns through the air in each, following a disastrous 2021 season for everyone in Jacksonville. And with a thrilling postseason victory under his belt, Lawrence solidified his place as the team’s future captain through his play on the field and leadership.
It should not be shocking to learn this. Wilson’s life has been quite the roller coaster in the past three years. Wilson was demoted during his second season as the starter after failing to perform on the field and putting his foot in his mouth after winning three games as a rookie. Then, in Year 3, he once more found it difficult to make progress after Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending injury forced him back into the starting lineup. It’s anticipated that the Jets will trade him this offseason, which might be ideal for a young player in need of a new beginning.
The Cowboys, Lance’s backup team, have an easy choice to make. Lance was traded to Dallas following his two seasons as a starting pitcher for San Francisco, where he ultimately lost out to Brock Purdy. He did not play a snap for the Cowboys in 2023, and it is unclear when he will be able to return to the field.
I have scouted a lot of tight end prospects, and Pitts is among the best. Although Pitts had a 1,000-yard rookie season, Arthur Smith’s failure to make the most of the playmaker has left him producing far less than he could have. I anticipate that Pitts will once again become the center of the offense under the incoming regime, as he did in Year 1.
