The decisions on fifth-year options are obscured because of the timing. 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 collective bargaining Damyean Dotson Jersey 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 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 Thon Maker Jersey 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 Kevin Porter Jersey 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 J.R. Smith Jersey Option:$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 . 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 Brad Daugherty Jersey 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 has Nelson been named to the Pro Bowl in each season, he has also earned first team All-Pro honors. The Colts are interested