Commanders’ history with 5th-year options

NFL teams had until May 2 to decide if they wanted to pick up the fifth-year option on players selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. For some teams, such as the Bengals (WR Ja’Marr Chase) or the Cowboys (LB Micah Parsons), those decisions were easy.

For the Washington Commanders, it was easy, too. Linebacker Jamin Davis has shown flashes over the past two seasons after a tough rookie season, but not enough to justify picking up his fifth-year option. The Commanders declined Davis’ option ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

Additionally, Washington has a new general manager (Adam Peters) and head coach (Dan Quinn) who did not draft Davis. While Quinn and his coaching staff are far more likely to help Davis improve than the previous staff, he hasn’t done nearly enough to justify Washington picking up at that option.

In total, 18 of 32 first-round picks from 2021 had their fifth-year options picked up. Some players have already signed extensions. There were five quarterbacks drafted in the first round; only the 2021 No. 1 overall pick, Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars), had his option picked up. The other four have already been traded.

The new rookie wage scale began in 2011, the first year that first-round picks had a fifth-year option. Washington selected Ryan Kerrigan in the first round that year, and he went on to become the franchise’s all-time sack leader. We look at the Commanders’ history with the fifth-year options—the results are mixed.

2011: LB Ryan Kerrigan — Picked up

Nov 23, 2017; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91) celebrates on the field after a sack against the New York Giants in the first quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

2012: QB Robert Griffin III — Picked up, but released before his fifth season

Nov 22, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) celebrates a touchdown during the game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

2013: No first-round pick due to Griffin trade

Washington Redskins helmet and logo before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium. The Redskins defeat the Cowboys 34-23. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

2014:…