
The deadline for picking up the fifth-year option on members of the 2011 NFL Draft class is rapidly approaching. May 3 is around the corner and teams have some pretty tough choices.
CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora already broke down what various teams might do and we highly recommend you read his piece on that subject.
Below we'll keep track of what's happening with every member of the 2011 NFL Draft class first round and their option.
2014 NFL Free Agency updates | ||||||
Pick No. | Team | Player | Exercised? | Cost | Analysis | |
1 | ![]() |
Cam Newton | Yes | $14.666M | To the surprise of no one, the Panthers officially picked up the option in April 24. | |
2 | ![]() |
Von Miller | Yes | $9.754M | The Broncos picked up Miller's option on Thursday. Not a huge surprise given his talent when healthy. | |
3 | ![]() |
Marcell Dareus | Yes | $8.06M | Buffalo picked up Dareus' option for a fifth year league sources told CBSSports.com. | |
4 | ![]() |
A.J. Green | Yes | $10.176M | The Bengals picked up the option on Green, one of the best receivers in all of football. An extension is likely coming pretty soon for him. | |
5 | ![]() |
Patrick Peterson | Yes | $10.081M | Easy call for the Cardinals to use the option on Pat P, who has emerged as one of the game's top cornerbacks. | |
6 | ![]() |
Julio Jones | Yes | $10.176M | Simple choice for the Falcons to pick up Jones option. He's a stud. | |
7 | ![]() |
Aldon Smith | No | $9.754M | Reports indicate the 49ers won't use the option on Smith, who was recently arrested for false report of a bomb in an airport. | |
8 | ![]() |
Jake Locker | No | $14.666M | Don't bank on Locker having his option picked up. The new Titans regime could move in a different direction at quarterback after 2014. | |
9 | ![]() |
Tyron Smith | Yes | $10.039M | Smith's an underrated player from this class. The Cowboys picked up his option on Thursday. | |
10 | ![]() |
Blaine Gabbert | No | $14.666M | The Jaguars traded Gabbert to San Francisco. Don't bank on the 49ers picking up his option. | |
11 | ![]() |
J.J. Watt | Yes | $6.969M | Watt is one of the best players in the game. The Texans exercised his option and will eventually give him a massive extension. | |
12 | ![]() |
Christian Ponder | No | $9.686M | Would be a massive upset if Ponder's option was picked up. $14 million for a guy who might be off the Vikings next year isn't happening. | |
13 | ![]() |
Nick Fairley | No | $6.969M | The Lions say they won't pick up Fairley's 2015 option. It's a bit of a surprise given the low cost and his potential upside. | |
14 | ![]() |
Robert Quinn | Yes | $6.969M | This one seemed like an easy call for the man who has 34.5 sacks in 31 career games. | |
15 | ![]() |
Mike Pouncey | Yes | $7.438M | Really tricky call for the Dolphins. The 2013 season and Pouncey's involvement in their scandal makes this much more difficult. | |
16 | ![]() |
Ryan Kerrigan | Yes | $7.038M | The Redskins picked up Kerrigan's deal on Friday league sources told CBSSports.com. | |
17 | ![]() |
Nate Solder | Yes | $7.438M | Easy choice for the Patriots for the left tackle who's started 44 of 47 games. | |
18 | ![]() |
Corey Liuget | Yes | $6.969M | The Chargers picked up the option on Liuget. A smart move if he continues to develop. | |
19 | ![]() |
Prince Amukamara | Yes | $6.898M | The Giants young cornerback's improved and they need help in the secondary. They picked up his option. | |
20 | ![]() |
Adrian Clayborn | No | $6.969M | According to reports the Buccaneers won't pick up Clayborn's option. | |
21 | ![]() |
Phil Taylor | No | $5.477M | The Browns acquired this pick by trading down. And the cost is too low not to pick it up, really. | |
22 | ![]() |
Anthony Castonzo | Yes | $7.438M | The Colts need Castonzo protecting Andrew Luck and exercised his option Monday a league source told CBSSports.com. | |
23 | ![]() |
Danny Watkins | N/A | $7.438 | Watkins was cut and isn't eligible to have the Eagles pick up his option. | |
24 | ![]() |
Cameron Jordan | Yes | $6.969 | The Saints will get a steal for a player who emerged as a potential star in Rob Ryan's defense last year. | |
25 | ![]() |
James Carpenter | No | $7.438M | Seahawks are better picking in the later rounds than the first, but a starting guard for a cheap cost works. | |
26 | ![]() |
Jonathan Baldwin | No | $6.776M | Highly unlikely this happens. Chiefs swapped disgruntled first-round wideouts by sending Baldwin to SF for A.J. Jenkins. | |
27 | ![]() |
Jimmy Smith | Yes | $6.898M | Smith's improving and had a nice 2013 for the Ravens. No surprise they picked up his option. | |
28 | ![]() |
Mark Ingram | No | $5.211 | Can't imagine the Saints will pay more than $5M a year for a running back given the current market. | |
29 | ![]() |
Gabe Carimi | N/A | $7.438M | Carimi's moved on at this point and was cut by the Buccaneers so he's no longer eligible for the option. | |
30 | ![]() |
Muhammad Wilkerson | Yes | $6.969M | An absolute steal for the Jets given Wilkerson's development into a top defensive lineman. | |
31 | ![]() |
Cameron Heyward | Yes | $6.969M | Strong 2013 for Heyward made this a pretty easy choice for the Steelers. | |
32 | ![]() |
Derek Sherrod | No | $7.438M | Sherrod would need to show he's healthy for Packers to pick this up. Not enough time between now and May 3 for that. |