Clelin Ferrell now enters contract year hoping ability to be ‘diverse’ can reverse fortunes

Clelin Ferrell says he can play anywhere from interior DL to LB in Patrick Graham’s scheme. Now in a contract year Ferrell hopes that versatility can reverse his fortunes

It’s safe to say the first three years of Clelin Ferrell’s career has not gone as he hoped or the Raiders expected. The former 4th overall pick today learned the team has opted not to pick up his fifth year option, which means he is now entering a contract year.

While this is not good news for Ferrell, it’s also an opportunity.

With a new staff in place, particularly with new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Ferrell will have a chance to turn his career around and earn a second contract. Whether from the Raiders or another team.

It’s been a few weeks now since the players met their new coaching staff and thus began getting a good idea of what is expected of them. I asked Ferrell this week what his role will be, and he suggested that his value in the new scheme will be in his ability to play multiple positions.

“That’s the best thing, when you understand someone like a Patrick Graham or Josh McDaniels, you got to understand [they’re] very, very detailed in what they do. In everything. How they pick their players and who they put on the field. So, everyone has a role that they want to do,” said Ferrell. “I think for me I can be very, very diverse. So, whether that’s playing inside or whether that’s playing linebacker, whether that’s, shoot, somebody went down last year and I had to start on punt team. It’s just a difference, but it doesn’t really matter to me. At the end of the day, I got drafted here and I come from a place where it’s all about somebody working toward a common goal.”

The previous staff tried moving Ferrell around a bit to find ways to get him on the field and get the most out of him. While the new staff has eschewed the idea that they will be choosing between a 4-3 or a 3-4, most indications are that they lean more toward 3-4.

Ferrell’s suggestion that he could play linebacker could also be an indication of more of a 3-4 base, simply because outside linebackers in a 3-4 rush the passer a lot and he is absolutely not and off-ball linebacker. If anything, his best fit would seem to be as a 5-tech defensive end which would most often not be rushing the edge, where he has not been a strength for him.

It is certainly possible Ferrell could rise up and play his best football this season and earn a payday next offseason. Just as players can benefit from a change of scenery, they can also benefit from a change in scheme, coaching, or usage. Ferrell and Graham will have this season to try and find that sweet spot. Or, perhaps, spots as it were.

Packers pick up Rashan Gary’s fifth-year option

In an expected move, the Packers picked up the fifth-year option of OLB Rashan Gary.

The Green Bay Packers picked up Rashan Gary’s fifth-year contract option, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Gary, the 12th overall pick in the 2019 draft, will remain under contract with the Packers through the 2023 season. He broke out as a star rusher in 2021 (9.5 sacks) and will go into the 2022 season as one of the NFL’s best young defensive players.

The fifth-year option will be valued at around $11 million for Gary in 2023.

Gary, who doesn’t turn 25 until December, has played in 47 games (with 20 starts) over three seasons in Green Bay. He’s produced 16.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, 42 quarterback hits and 16 tackles for loss.

All first-round picks receive fully guaranteed four-year contracts with fifth-year options. Teams must decide on the fifth year between the player’s third and fourth seasons.

If Gary continues his ascent in 2022, the Packers will likely approach him about a long-term contract extension at some point next offseason.

The Packers have picked up their fifth-year options on four straight first-round picks: Gary, Darnell Savage, Jaire Alexander and Kenny Clark. The decision on Jordan Love comes next year at this time.

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Packers expected to pick up fifth-year option of S Darnell Savage

The Packers will pick up the fifth-year contract option for safety Darnell Savage, keeping him under contract through 2023.

Edge rusher Rashan Gary and safety Darnell Savage will both have their fifth-year options picked up by the Green Bay Packers.

According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, the Packers are expected to pick up Savage’s option, keeping him under contract in Green Bay through the 2023 season.

Savage, who turns 25 years old in July, was the 21st overall pick in the 2019 draft. He’s started 46 games and produced eight interceptions, 26 pass breakups and six tackles for losses over the last three seasons in Green Bay. An emerging elite player to finish the 2020 season, Savage wasn’t as consistent or disruptive during his first season in Joe Barry’s defense in 2021, but the Packers are banking on him ascending again in 2022.

All first-round picks receive fully guaranteed four-year contracts with fifth-year options. Teams must decide on the fifth year between the player’s third and fourth seasons.

The fifth-year option will be worth $7.9 million for Savage in 2023. With the Raiders declining Jonathan Abram’s option, Savage will be the only safety (and defensive back) from the 2019 first-round draft class to have his fifth-year option picked up.

Last month, safeties coach Ryan Downard called Savage a “special talent” who could become one of the best defensive backs in football.

The Packers have picked up three straight fifth-year options, with Gary and Savage joining Jaire Alexander (2018 first-round pick). The team will have to make a similar decision on quarterback Jordan Love at this time next year.

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Raiders will not pick up 5th-year options on any of their 2019 1st round picks

Clelin Ferrell, Josh Jacobs, and Johnathan Abram officially enter the final year of their rookie deals with Raiders as their fifth-year options are not picked up.

Despite the team’s current focus on the NFL draft, they also had to think about whether or not to pick up the fifth-year options on three players who they had selected in the first round of the 2019 draft.

The Raiders had selected Clelin Ferrell (4th overall), Josh Jacobs (24 overall) and Johnathan Abram (27 overall) in that draft. Now is the time they had to decided whether they would accept the fifth-year option on their rookie contract or to make 2022 the final year on those deals.

In the end, they opted not to pick up their fifth round options.

The most accomplished of the three players was Josh Jacobs. But as running back is no longer deemed a premium position, the team had to decide whether he was worth the hefty price tag to pick up his fifth year.

Not picking up Clelin Ferrel’s fifth-year option was expected. As the 4th overall pick, his price tag was high and he has never come close to living up to that draft position. He will have this season to hope to play his best football and hit free agency next offseason.

Abram showed some flashes of playing his best football last season before he suffered his second season-ending shoulder injury. The first one cost him basically his entire rookie season.

Jaguars pick up DE/OLB Josh Allen’s fifth-year option

The Jags have extended the fifth-year option of one of their team captains in Josh Allen.

The Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t even turned in the card for the No. 1 pick of the 2022 NFL Draft yet, but they are already looking toward the 2022 season in some way. The team announced that it would be picking up the fifth-year option of Josh Allen’s contract, which will extend his rookie contract from 2019.

Allen, 24, was selected seventh overall by the Jags in 2019 out of Kentucky. He was able to make an impact immediately as a rookie while playing in all 16 games and accumulating 10.5 sacks. That resulted in him making history and becoming the first Jags rookie to get into the Pro Bowl.

However, since his rookie season, he hasn’t been able to match his rookie sack number although he’s been an important part of the team. His 2020 season was cut short due to a knee injury, and he only played in eight games as a result. Then in 2021, he played in 16 games and was able to accumulate a career-high in tackles with 46.

For a team that has struggled like the Jags these last two seasons, keeping Allen was a no-brainer for general manager Trent Baalke. Allen is now set to make $11.5 million next season, which shouldn’t be an issue for the Jags to ingest because they are set to have over $43.7 million in available cap space, according to Over the Cap.

With the Jags potentially acquiring a prospect like Georgia’s Travon Walker or Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson Thursday, Allen could have some help in the trenches when it comes to rushing the passer. That could help him get back to where he was as a rookie, which is something the Jags likely considered when they picked up his option.

Lions pick up 5th-year option on T.J. Hockenson’s contract

Hockenson is locked into the Lions through the 2023 season

T.J. Hockenson is officially back with the Detroit Lions for two more seasons. The Lions exercised the fifth-year option on Hockenson’s contract on Tuesday, a move that locks up the Pro Bowl tight end through the 2023 season.

The move was widely expected, especially after GM Brad Holmes addressed it during his media time at the NFL owner’s meeting in March. At that time, Holmes had this to say about the team’s first-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft.

“Hockenson, obviously, he’s a big part of what we did last year. It was unfortunate when he became unavailable for us, but he’s another (player) that we’ll continue to lean on this year.”

Hockenson will earn $9.4 million in the 2023 season, all of which will be guaranteed. His one Pro Bowl appearance bumped up Hockenson’s option value. The Lions had until May 2nd to pick up the option.

Picking up the option on Hockenson means the Lions have exercised the fifth-year option or a contract extension on three of their last four eligible first-round picks, including Frank Ragnow in 2018 and Taylor Decker in 2016.

 

Seahawks pick up Noah Fant’s 5th-year option for 2023 season

The Seahawks have picked up Noah Fant’s fifth-year option after they acquired him from the Broncos last month.

Former Denver Broncos TE Noah Fant’s fifth-year option is being exercised by the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Schefter adds that Fant is the first player from the 2019 draft class to earn such a distinction. The tag will cost the Seahawks $6.85 million, according to the Seattle Times‘ Bob Condotta.

The Seahawks acquired Noah Fant last month in a trade for Russell Wilson. In addition to Fant, the team acquired fellow teammates Drew Lock and Shelby Harris. They received multiple draft picks as well.

On the heels of being traded, though, Fant voiced frustration with his role while with the Broncos. “It was more of a focus of me catching flat balls or whatever it may be, and then trying to be a shifty guy and elusive guy and try to break as many tackles possible to get my yards,” Fant told 104.3 The Fan last month. “I view myself as a downfield threat, getting open space, then I can make things happen. It was a little frustrating being used in the short field.”

Fant can only hope he has a better role with his new team. A first-round pick in 2019, the tight end averaged 57 catches, 635 yards and 3.3 touchdowns per season with the Broncos.

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Fifth-year option salary figures are in and Raiders have three players to think about

Raiders have until May 2 to decide if they want to pick up the fifth-year option on three players. With these salary figures, who (if any) gets their option picked up?

The NFL released their figures for the fifth-year options on all players selected in the first round of the 2019 draft. The Raiders selected three players in that first round — their original pick at 4 overall, the pick they got from Dallas for Amari Cooper (24), and the first pick they got from Chicago in exchange for Khalil Mack.

What they did with those picks was select DE Clelin Ferrell, RB Josh Jacobs, and S Johnathan Abram.

Whether a team picks up the fifth-year option on their rookie deals is decided prior to the final year of the player’s original four-year deal. That is right now.

The figures for each are as follows:

Clelin Ferrell $11.5 million
Josh Jacobs $8.03 million
Johnathan Abram $7.90 million

The team has until May 2 to decide who, if any, they wish to ensure stays under contract with the Raiders through 2023.

I don’t think there’s any question about Ferrell. He has been largely considered a bust through three seasons and it would be foolish to commit to him for a fifth season at this juncture.

Jacobs has played well at times, and even made the Pro Bowl in 2020. But do the Raiders want to lock themselves into paying a running back over $8 million? That would put him in the top ten at his position. I’m not sure that would be the wisest decision.

Abram had a decent season at times last year. The question is if what he did was enough for the team to keep him past next season on a near $8 million salary. That’s currently just inside the top 20 at his position.

None of the three players jump out as having proved themselves of a commitment. It’s possible the team decides not to pick up the option on any of them. We will certainly know by May 2.

Broncos have two months to make decision on Noah Fant’s fifth-year option

Noah Fant’s fifth-year option would be worth $6.657 million in 2023. Should the Broncos pick it up?

After free agency and the NFL draft, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton will have to make a decision on tight end Noah Fant.

Because he was a first-round draft pick in 2019, Fant is eligible for a fifth-year option for the 2023 season. The one-year option will be worth $6.657 million, according to OverTheCap.com.

The deadline to pick up Fant’s option is May 2, and the Broncos are in no rush to make a decision, but they do want him part of the team going forward.

“We have a little time with that,” Paton said at the NFL combine on Tuesday. “Noah is a really talented player, and we want him here a long time.”

Had Fant made the Pro Bowl in any of his first three seasons, the 2023 option would have been $9.332 million (and more than one Pro Bowl nod would have bumped it to $10.834 million). Fant’s option would have been $6.253 million if he had played less than 50% of the offensive snaps since 2019.

As contracts currently stand, Fant would be the 13th-highest paid tight end in 2023 if the Broncos pick up his option. Even if Fant hasn’t quite lived to some fans’ expectations, that’s not a bad value for a player who ranked sixth in receptions and 10th in receiving yards among tight ends last season.

Fant has hauled in 170 receptions for 1,905 yards and 10 touchdowns through his first three years in the NFL (47 games).

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Commanders plan to exercise DE Montez Sweat’s 5th-year option

The Commanders will reportedly pick up Montez Sweat’s fifth-year option. No surprises there.

Washington Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat is entering his fourth NFL season in 2022. And, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post, the team plans on Sweat being around for a fifth year — and potentially more.

Jhabvala reported on Wednesday morning that Washington planned on exercising Sweat’s fifth-year option for 2023. The deadline to either pick up a fifth-year option or decline is May 3.

A first-round pick in 2019, Sweat played in every game during his first two seasons, registering 92 tackles, 16 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception returned for a touchdown.

Unfortunately, Sweat’s 2021 season was marred by injury and tragedy. He fractured his jaw in a Week 8 loss at Denver, missing several weeks. Sweat returned to play in two games and missed the final two weeks due to the tragic death of his brother.

Sweat would play in a total of 10 games, finishing with 24 tackles, five sacks, 13 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.

It was an overall disappointing season for several of Washington’s young defenders, including fellow defensive end Chase Young.