The decisions on fifth-year options are obscured because of the timing. NFL teams typically don't turn their attention to fifth-year options until the conclusion of the NFL Draft, which takes place April 29-May 1 this year, when the window to pick up options is coming to a close. The window with 2018 first-round picks began Jan. 4, a day after the 2020 regular season ended. The options must be exercised prior to May 3.The decision to pick up options is more complicated because the new NFL collective bargaining agreement has changed how fifth-year options operate.Beginning with 2018 first-round picks, the fifth-year salary is fully guaranteed when the option is exercised. A player's fourth-year base salary will also become fully guaranteed at the time the option year is picked up, if it wasn't already.Previously, the fifth year was guaranteed for injury upon exercise of the option. The option year became fully guaranteed on the first day of the league year in the fifth contract year, which was March 17 for 2017 first-round picks. Situations like cornerback will no longer occur. The picked up Jackson's $10.244 million fifth-year option last May. He was released on March 16 to prevent the option year from becoming fully guaranteed. The option-year salaries are no longer strictly tied to where a player was drafted (i.e.; top 10 or outside of the top 10). Originally, the fifth-year salary for the top 10 picks was the transition tender (average of the 10 highest salaries) at a player's position when the option was exercised. With players selected outside of the top 10 (picks 11-32), the fifth-year salary was the average of the Aldrick Rosas Jersey third through 25th highest salaries at a player's position.Performance now dictates the option-year salaries. With two or more Pro Bowl selections on the original ballot during the first three seasons of contracts, the fifth-year salary is the franchise tender, which is the average of the five highest salaries, for a player's position in the fourth year of his contract. One Pro Bowl selection on the original ballot during the first three seasons of deals puts the fifth-year salary at the transition tender, which is average of the 10 highest salaries, for a player's position in the fourth year of his contract. Participating in 75 percent of offensive or defensive plays, whichever is applicable, in two of the first three seasons of deals or an average of at least 50 percent playtime in each of the first three seasons sets the fifth-year salary at the average of the third through 20th highest salaries at a player's position. For first-round picks that don't fall into any of these three categories, the fifth-year salary is the average of the third through 25th highest salaries at a player's position.Contracts for draft choices can't be renegotiated until the conclusion of a player's third regular season, which means players selected in the 2018 draft are eligible to sign new deals.Of the 32 first-round picks, 31 were eligible for the fifth-year option when the 2020 regular season ended. Here's a look at each 2018 first-round pick's situation regarding the option year. Fifth-Year Option:$18.858 millionOld Methodology:$23.016 millionMayfield was a leading candidate for 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He rebounded from a sophomore slump in 2019 to arguably play the best football of his NFL career during the second half of last season, which helped the Browns earn a playoff berth for the first time since 2002. The Browns had no qualms in signing defensive end , 2017's first overall pick, to a contract extension last offseason. There may be more hesitancy in making a similar commitment to Mayfield, although it will cost more in the long run if he picks up where he left off last season. Fifth-Year Option:$7.217 millionOld Methodology:$7.217 millionBarkley has been bitten by the injury bug since a stellar debut season in which he led the NFL with 2,028 yards from scrimmage (combined rushing and receiving yards) and earned 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in the proce s. Barkley was limited to two games last season because of a torn right ACL. He had his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season in 2019 despite mi sing three games with an ankle injury. The Giants aren't in a rush to sign Barkley to a new deal because of the injuries. Interestingly, Barkley's $7.217 million option-year salary in 2022 is lower than his 2021 salary cap number, which is $10,025,602.Fifth-Year Option:$ New York Giants Jersey 18.858 millionOld Methodology:$23.016 millionDarnold is getting a new lease on his NFL life thanks to a trade from the to the Panthers. It's hard to imagine the Panthers giving up a 2021 sixth-round pick as well as 2022 second- and fourth-round picks for Darnold to potentially be just a one season rental because his fifth year option was declined. Pick Six Newsletter Crafted By The Best NFL Experts Get the day's big stories + fun stuff you love like mock drafts, picks and power rankings. I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pre sing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the and acknowledge Paramount's . Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. Sorry! There was an error proce sing your subscription. Fifth-Year Option:$13.294 millionOld Methodology:$13.294 millionWard paid immediate dividends for the Browns by making the Pro Bowl as a rookie. He surely has his sights set on a long-term deal averaging significantly more than his $13.294 million option year salary. signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the in free agency last year averaging $16.5 million per year. The cornerback market has escalated since Jones signed, with ($20 million per year), ($19.5 million per year) and ($17.25 million per year) contracts.Fifth-Year Option:$12.716 millionOld Methodology:$12.716 millionChubb didn't show any ill effects last season from the torn left ACL that limited him to four games in 2019. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2020. It wouldn't be a surprise if Chubb filed a grievance to be cla sified as defensive end instead of a linebacker for his fifth year option like did in 2018. The applicable defensive end salary for Chubb is $13.926 million. The paid Clowney an additional $1.005 million to resolve the dispute. Fifth-Year Option:$13.754 millionOld Methodology:$12.657 millionIn just three NFL seasons, Nelson has become the league's top offensive guard. Not only Riley Dixon Jersey has Nelson been named to the Pro Bowl in each season, he has also earned first team All-Pro honors. The Colts are interested in signing Nelson to an extension. A new contract for Nelson will surely eclipse the five-year, $80 million deal with $46.89 million in guarantees received from the in free agency this year. Patience could be Nelson's best friend from a financial standpoint. Thuney's $16 million per year should serve as the floor for , who was franchised for a second straight time by the . A new Scherff deal would likely become the starting point for Nelson in negotiations. Fifth-Year Option:$23.016 millionOld Methodology:$23.016 millionAllen raised his game to a different level in 2020 by becoming an MVP candidate. Bills general manager Brandon Beane has previously indicated that an Allen extension would become a priority after the NFL Draft. The four-year, $160 million contract containing $126 million in guarantees, of which $95 million was fully guaranteed at signing, that received from the in March certainly got Allen's attention.Fifth-Year Option:$9.735 millionOld Methodology:$12.716 millionThe Bears typically haven't exercised a fifth-year option or kept one in place in recent years (, , , ). That should change with Smith, who was named to the Sporting News All-Pro team last season.Fifth-Year Option:$10.88 millionOld Methodology:$12.657 millionMcGlinchey has been a fixture at right tackle for the 49ers ever since he was drafted in 2018. His pa s protection wasn't on par with his run blocking in 2020. The 49ers making a substantial financial commitment to left tackle shouldn't preclude the exercise of McGlinchey's option. Quarterback won't be on San Francisco's books in 2022. A low-cost rookie contract will be taking his place in the starting lineup with the 49ers moving up to the third-overall pick in this year's draft. Rosen's eligibility for a fifth-year option ended when the Dolphins released him last September at the roster cutdown. He signed a one-year deal with the 49ers for $850,000 in February.Fifth-Year Option:$10.612 millionOld Methodology:$6.201 millionFitzpatrick is one of two 2018 first round picks, along with Quenton Nelson, whose fifth-year option equals a 2021 franchise tender because of multiple first ballot Pro Bowl selections. The Steelers typically don't sign first-round picks long-term until entering the option year. 2017 first-round pick T.J. Watt still hasn't signed an extension.Fifth-Year Option:$7.638 millionOld Methodology:$7.638 millionBuccaneers general manager Jason Licht has already indicated that Vea's fifth-year option will be picked up. Fifth-Year Option:$8.529 millionOld Methodology:$7.638 millionPicking up Payne's fifth-year option isn't a question. It's whether Payne has a long-term future in Washington, considering first-round picks were used on defensive linemen in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.Fifth-Year Option:$9.553 millionOld Methodology:$9.553 millionDavenport hasn't made a great case for his option being exercised. When an elbow injury sidelined Davenport for the first four games last season, he couldn't get his starting job back from , who went to the in free agency.Miller is the first 2018 first-round pick to sign an extension. The Raiders gave Miller a three-year, $54.15 million extension with $42.5 million in guarantees at the beginning of April. Fifth-Year Option:$12.716 millionOld Methodology:$9.145 millionBills general manager Brandon Beane doesn't view picking up options for both Josh Allen and Edmunds, a 2020 Pro Bowler, without eventually signing them to extensions as an ideal scenario. This is because of the uncertainty about the next year's salary cap and their collective options would take up $35.732 million of cap space.Fifth-Year Option:$9.052 millionOld Methodology:$6.201 millionJames was a first-team All-Pro as rookie in 2018. He has only played five games since then. James mi sed the entire 2020 season because of a torn meniscus in his right knee. Should the Chargers decline James' fifth-year option because of his injury history and he regains his form this season, the 2022 safety franchise tag number projects to $12.403 million if the 2022 salary cap is $200 million.Fifth-Year Option:$13.294 millionOld Methodology:$9.825 millionAlexander earned Pro Bowl honors last season. The Packers shouldn't expect Alexander to sign a long-term deal unle s it makes him the highest paid defensive player on the team. That distinction belongs to defensive tackle , who signed a four-year extension averaging $17.5 million per year last August. Fifth-Year Option:$9.145 millionOld Methodology:$9.145 millionVander Esch's fifth-year option is a risky proposition because of durability concerns dating back to his collegiate days at Boise State. He's on the verge of becoming Dallas' new , a talented linebacker who has trouble staying healthy.Fifth-Year Option:$12.657 millionOld Methodology:$10.413 millionThe Lions shouldn't think twice about exercising Ragnow's option after a Pro Bowl 2020 season. Since Ragnow's option year calculation doesn't distinguish between center, guard and tackle salaries, the value of his fifth year is more than the NFL's highest average yearly salary for a center, which is on the five-year, $62.5 million contract averaging $12.5 million per year he signed with the Chargers in March as a free Rhett Ellison Jersey agent.Fifth-Year Option:$10.413 millionOld Methodology:$10.413 millionIt's hard to imagine the Bengals picking up Price's option considering hasn't been unable to unseat at center. Price might get a chance to showcase himself at the beginning of the season because Hopkins tore his left ACL in the 2020 regular season finale.Fifth-Year Option:$9.735 millionOld Methodology:$9.145 million returning to the Titans on a one-year, $4.5 million deal worth up to $5.25 million with incentives because his free agent market didn't develop as he was anticipating could impact the decision on Evans' fifth-year option. The Titans didn't pick up fifth-year options for offensive tackle and wide receiver in 2019 and 2020.Fifth-Year Option:$10.413 millionOld Methodology:$10.413 millionIt may be hard for the Patriots to justify picking up Wynn's $10.413 million option when he has mi sed 30 of a po sible 48 regular-season games during his Dexter Lawrence Jersey three years in the NFL. However, the Patriots dealt to Texans for a reason after re-acquiring from the Raiders in a trade.Fifth-Year Option:$11.116 millionOld Methodology:$10.25 million leaving the Panthers for a three-year, $34.5 million contract with the Washington Football Team in free agency should ensure that Moore's option year is picked up. Moore's 3,156 receiving yards over the last three seasons are the most among wide receivers taken in the 2018 draft. His 208 receptions are second.Fifth-Year Option:$5.428 millionOld Methodology:$5.428 millionHurst was acquired last offseason in a trade with the . He was an adequate replacement for , who left for the Browns last year in free agency. Hurst caught 56 pa ses for 571 yards with six touchdowns in 2020. His $5.428 million fifth-year option is reasonable considering and signed one-year, $6 million contracts respectively with the Chargers and as free agents in March. Cook's deal is worth up to $7.5 million through incentives, while Everett's is worth a maximum of $7 million.Fifth-Year Option:$11.116 millionOld Methodology:$10.25 millionThe Falcons picking up Ridley's option is a no brainer after his 2020 breakout season. Ridley had 90 catches for 1,374 yards with nine touchdowns last season.Fifth-Year Option:$4.523 millionOld Methodology:$4.523 millionPenny was drafted to replace as Seattle's lead ball carrier. It hasn't happened because of injury and ineffectivene s. Carson staying in Seattle on a two-year, $10.425 million contract worth up to $14.625 million through salary escalators and incentives means Penny doesn't have a long-term future with the Seahawks.Fifth-Year Option:$6.753 millionOld Methodology:$6.201 millionEdmunds has been on the field for 89.1 percent of Pittsburgh's defensive plays since being drafted. There is a school of thought that the Steelers will be reluctant to pick up options of both Minkah Fitzpatrick and Edmunds.Fifth-Year Option:$7.638 millionOld Methodology:$7.638 millionA regime change, signing to a three-year, $23.4 million contract in free agency and acquiring from the Saints in a trade doesn't bode well for Bryan's fifth-year option. It's probably just a matter time before Bryan's days are numbered in Jacksonville.Fifth-Year Option:$9.825 millionOld Methodology:$9.825 millionThere's a better chance of the Vikings releasing Hughes, although $648,076 of his $1,825,566 2021 base salary is fully guaranteed, than exercising his fifth-year option. Injuries have limited Hughes to 24 games in three NFL seasons.Fifth-Year Option:$4.523 millionOld Methodology:$4.523 millionMichel being one-dimensional decreases the likelihood of his option year being picked up. He hasn't added much to New England's pa sing game.Fifth-Year Option:$23.016 millionOld Methodology:$16.534 millionRavens general manager Eric DeCosta revealed that he has had discu sions with Jackson about a new contract. The 2019 NFL MVP doesn't have an agent. Whichever player signs last, Jackson or Josh Allen, should end up with the more lucrative contract.