Posted in: NFL, Sports | Tagged: 2014 Draft, entertainment, Jadevon Clowney, Johnny Manziel, Kelvin Benjamin, nfl, sports

The 2014 NFL Draft Players And Their Fifth-Year Options

Published Tue, 02 May 2017 20:00:14 -0500

by Dan Wickline

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Today is the day for those folks picked in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Today teams have to decide officially if they are picking up the fifth-year option on players that were chose in the top 32 picks three years ago.

As part of the most recent collective bargaining agreement, players selected I the first round have to sign four-year contracts with a team option fifth-year available. But that option has to be taken before the start of the fourth year. Now that May 2nd is here, let's take a look at who the NFL gave the preverbal rose to for another date.

Here are the players who have had their options picked up:
Jadaveon Clowney – Houston Texans – Pick #1
Blake Bortles – Jacksonville Jaguars – Pick #3
Khalil Mack – Oakland Radiers – Pick #5
Jack Matthews – Atlanta Falcons – Pick #6
Mike Evan – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Pick #7
Anthony Barr – Minnesota Vikings – Pick #9
Eric Ebron – Detroit Lions – Pick #10
Taylor Lewan – Tennessee Titans – Pick #11
Odell Beckham Jr. – New York Giants – Pick #12
Aaron Donald – Los Angeles Rams – Pick #13
Ryan Shazier – Pittsburgh Steelers – Pick #15
Zack Martin – Dallas Cowboys – Pick #16
C.J. Mosely – Baltimore Ravens – Pick #17
Ja'Wuan James – Miami Dolphins – Pick #19
Brandin Cooks – New Orleans Saints – Pick #20 (But was then traded to New England)
Ha Ha Clinton Dix – Green Bay Packers – Pick #21
Dee Ford – Kansas City Chiefs – Pick #23
Darqueze Dennard – Cincinnati Bengals – Pick #24

Jason Verrett – Los Angeles Chargers – Pick #25
Deone Bucannon – Arizona Cardinals – Pick #27
Kelvin Benjamin – Carolina Panthers – Pick #28
Jimmie Ward – San Francisco 49ers – Pick #30
Bradley Roby – Denver Broncos – Pick #31

That is an impressive 23 out of 32 draft picks to have their fifth-year options picked up. But what about the 9 players who did not? A couple of the passed-on options have to do with injuries.

Sammy Watkins – Buffalo Bills- Pick #4 – The team passed because Sammy is still rehabbing from an injury last year and they want to see how he recovers. If he comes back 100% and his free agency after this season… he is going to be doing just fine.

Teddy Bridgewater – Minnesota Vikings – Pick #32 – Teddy was the starting quarterback in preseason last year before a horrible injury took him out and he still hasn't fully recovered. It's not clear when he might be able to return, so not picking up the option makes perfect sense.

Other players have already been released by the team that drafted them.

Justin Gilbert – Cleveland Browns – Pick #8 – Gilbert was cut at the end of 2015 and then again after a disappointing 2016 with the Steelers.

Johnny Manziel – Cleveland Browns – Pick #22 – another draft bust for Cleveland. Manziel was cut after the 2015 season and hasn't hooked up with another team. He's spent a few stints in rehab as well.

Dominique Easley – New England Patriots – Pick #29 – Even the best make mistakes. The Patriots cut Easley before the start of 2016, but is now doing better with the Rams, receiving a tender as a restricted free agent this year.

The final four players drafted are still with their respective teams and have one more year to prove they are worth keeping around.

Greg Robinson – Los Angeles Rams – Pick #2 – the Rams have brought in Andrew Whitworth, meaning Robinson will move over to right tackle. Getting moved is not a sign that you are doing well.
Kyle Fuller – Chicago Bears – Pick #14
Calvin Pryor – New York Jets – Pick #18
Marcus Smith – Philadelphia Eagles – Pick #26

This has to be looked at as a successful first round draft class with over 2/3rds of them having their options picked up and the majority of those declined still have the chance to keep with their drafting team. Less than 10 % are no longer with their team and only one is completely out of football. NFL owners, coaches and fans should be very happy with the results of the 2014 draft… unless you like the Browns, and then it was just another very dark time in your life.

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