When it comes to the NFL Draft, mistakes happen — particularly in the first round. Sometimes there are colossal misses (Robert Griffin III, Trent Richardson, Johnny Manziel), and other times mistakes are minimal. Regardless, teams are forced to admit they were wrong when it comes to picking up a player’s fifth-year option. The option for first-round picks was instituted with the 2011 collective bargaining agreement and it’s made it easier to separate draft busts from stars.
It also allowed teams to turn a four-year contract into one that lasts five years without the player hitting free agency. If a team exercises a player’s fifth-year option, he’s usually viewed as a solid starter. If not, well, you know — he’s not worth keeping around.
The deadline for signing 2013 draft picks to fifth-year options came and went on Monday, and it further proved how bad the class really was. That was a well-known idea prior to this week, but the number of players whose options were declined is staggering. Out of 32 first rounders, only 20 had their fifth-year options exercised.
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Granted, the options aren’t the end-all signifier of a player or a draft class being a bust, but it’s more evidence supporting the idea that the 2013 draft was one of the worst ever. Some of the notable players to have their options declined include Luke Joeckel (second overall), Barkevious Mingo (sixth overall), Jonathan Cooper (seventh overall), Dee Milliner (ninth overall) and EJ Manuel (16th overall). Here are some other facts showing just how bad the class has been up to this point: Five of the top 10 picks had their options declined.
That doesn’t even include Dion Jordan, who was suspended for the 2015 season and was a bust before that point. This shows how poor the top of the draft was with just one top-10 pick making a Pro Bowl (Ansah). The 12 declined options are the most since 2011. Fifth-year options were only instituted in 2011, but the 2013 class is already the worst since then. The purpose of the added option was a way to keep around talented players on a cheaper contract before they hit the open market and command big money. Clearly teams don’t see that as beneficial with regards to their rookies from 2013 with only 20 players getting tapped for a fifth-year.
Only six players in the 2012 class had their options declined. The 2012 draft was littered with talent despite the top of the class going off the rails with RG3, Trent Richardson and Justin Blackmon. All three are viewed as busts, but even still, the class only had six players enter their fourth season without a fifth-year option. Each of the top six picks in 2011 had their options exercised.
The NFL draft is an annual exercise in optimism, but hindsight is always part of the equation—it usually takes a few years to see how much of it was warranted. But going into the 2013 draft, the.
From Cam Newton to Julio Jones, all six players were locked up for a fifth year, which they played out this past season. Since then, most have signed lucrative extensions with Von Miller still seeking such. The top five picks in 2011 have as many Pro Bowl appearances as the entire 2013 class combined. Newton, Miller, Marcell Dareus, A.J. Green and Patrick Peterson have made 19 Pro Bowls as a group. By comparison, the entire 2013 draft has made 19 Pro Bowls combined. Newton and Miller have been named first-team All-Pros three times together, which is as many as the 2013 class, too.
Of course, they have two more years of experience, but there’s no reason to believe the 2013 draft will surpass 2011, or any recent draft for that matter. There is still time for the group to turn it around, but it doesn’t look good. With only three All-Pros in the class, there don’t seem to be any home-run picks that are surefire superstars for years to come. On the bright side, Ziggy Ansah looks like a stud pass rusher for the Lions with 30 career sacks. Kyle Long and Travis Frederick are also solid offensive linemen with five Pro Bowls combined. Additionally, Tyrann Mathieu, Le’Veon Bell and Jamie Collins look like gems outside of the first round.
Only time will tell where the 2013 class ranks in history, but Monday was not a good day for those drafted that year.
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#95 DATONE JONES DE – UCLA – HT: 6-4 – WT: 285 – Drafted 1st Round, #26 Overall. Datone Jones wants to dominate. Packers had their pick of several top players and chose Jones AUDIO/VIDEO.
(3:18) Packers.com profiled UCLA DE Datone Jones at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine. (2:06) A look at the college highlights of UCLA defensive end Datone Jones. (2:07) Watch NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announce Green Bay’s selection of Jones, as well as Jones’ reaction via Skype. (4:44) Packers general manager Ted Thompson talks about the team’s selection of DE Datone Jones in Round 1 of the 2013 NFL Draft. (5:50) Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers talks about the team’s selection of DE Datone Jones in Round 1 of the 2013 NFL Draft. (12:29) Packers defensive end Datone Jones gives his reaction to being selected by Green Bay in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. (4:35) Vic and Mike break down the first day of the 2013 NFL Draft.
The Packers selected DE Datone Jones in the first round, 26th overall addressing a need at defensive line. Mike and Vic also preview where the Packers could go in rounds two and three. Additional coverage. UCLA defensive end Datone Jones has played both end and tackle. Jones completed his Bruin career with 43 starts, including his final 28 straight games. Read DE Datone Jones’ bio from his time at UCLA.
Read the transcript of Packers.com’s Thursday live chat with fans #27 EDDIE LACY RB – ALABAMA – HT: 5-11 – WT: 230 – Drafted 2nd Round, #61 Overall. Cover Two? Maybe not this year. Ted Thompson positions Packers for final-day haul AUDIO/VIDEO.
(2:08) The Green Bay Packers drafted Alabama RB Eddie Lacy with the No. 61 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. (1:34) Alabama RB Eddie Lacy talks with Bucky Brooks answering questions about his pro day workout and what preperations he’s making leading up to the NFL Draft. (6:32) Packers general manager Ted Thompson talks about the team’s selection of RB Eddie Lacy in Round 2 of the 2013 NFL Draft and the trades throughout the day bringing the Packers’ total picks to 12. (4:14) Packers Director of College Scouting talks about the team’s selection of RB Eddie Lacy in Round 2 of the 2013 NFL Draft. (6:42) Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy gives his reaction to being selected by Green Bay in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
(3:31) Vic and Mike break down the second day of the 2013 NFL Draft. The Packers selected RB Eddie Lacy in the second round, 61st overall addressing a need at running backs. Mike and Vic also preview where the Packers could go in the last day of the NFL Draft with 10 picks left. Additional coverage. RB Eddie Lacy had 1,322 yards last season, averaging 6.48 yards per carry. He scored 17 touchdowns and earned MVP honors vs. Notre Dame in the national title game with 140 yards and a TD and added a receiving TD.
Read RB Eddie Lacy’s bio from his time at Alabama. Read the transcript of Packers.com’s Friday live chat with fans #69 DAVID BAKHTIARI T – COLORADO – HT: 6-4 – WT: 300 – Drafted 4th Round, #109 Overall. Colorado’s David Bakhtiari and Cornell’s J.C. Tretter add competition on offensive line.
Read David Bakhtiari’s college biography. AUDIO/VIDEO. (5:27) Green Bay Packers Offensive Line Coach James Campen talks about the team’s selection of tackles David Bakhtiari and J.C Tretter Round 4 of the 2013 NFL Draft. (7:36) Green Bay Packers tackle David Bakhtiari gives his reaction to being selected by Green Bay in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. ADDITIONAL COVERAGE. The Packers went heavy on offense early in the fourth round, but the team also found a speedster in UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin. TRETTER T – CORNELL – HT: 6-4 – WT: 307 – Drafted 4th Round, #122 Overall.
Colorado’s David Bakhtiari and Cornell’s J.C. Tretter add competition on offensive line. Read J.C. Tretter’s college biography. AUDIO/VIDEO.
(5:27) Green Bay Packers Offensive Line Coach James Campen talks about the team’s selection of tackles David Bakhtiari and J.C Tretter Round 4 of the 2013 NFL Draft. (9:41) Green Bay Packers tackle J.C. Tretter gives his reaction to being selected by Green Bay in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Additional coverage.
The Packers went heavy on offense early in the fourth round, but the team also found a speedster in UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin. JOHNATHAN FRANKLIN RB – UCLA – HT: 5-10 – WT: 205 – Drafted 4th Round, #125 Overall. Packers increase competition among running backs. Read Johnathan Franklin’s college biography AUDIO/VIDEO.
(5:14) Green Bay Packers Running Backs Coach Alex Van Pelt talks about the team’s selection of RB Eddie Lacy in Round 2 and RB Jonathan Franklin in Round 4. (1:32) A look at the college highlights of UCLA running back Jonathan Franklin. (1:36) NFL draft analyst Mike Mayock discusses the Green Bay Packers’ decisions to draft running backs Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin. (5:21) Green Bay Packers running back Jonathan Franklin gives his reaction to being selected by Green Bay in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Additional coverage. The Packers went heavy on offense early in the fourth round, but the team also found a speedster in UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin. MICAH HYDE CB – IOWA – HT: 6-0 – WT: 197 – Drafted 5th Round, #159 Overall.
Fifth-round pick was named Big Ten’s top DB in 2012. Read Micah Hyde’s college biography AUDIO/VIDEO. (5:17) Green Bay Packers Cornerbacks Coach Joe Whitt Jr. Talks about the team’s selection of CB Micah Hyde in Round 5 of the 2013 NFL Draft. (6:23) Green Bay Packers cornerback Micah Hyde gives his reaction to being selected by Green Bay in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Additional coverage. The Packers went to the defensive side of the ball for Round 5 as they drafted a cornerback and defensive end.
JOSH BOYD DE – MISSISSIPPI STATE – HT: 6-3 – WT: 310 – Drafted 5th Round, #167 Overall. DL Coach Mike Trgovac talks about fitting them in.
Read Josh Boyd’s college biography AUDIO/VIDEO. (6:30) Green Bay Packers Defensive Line Coach Mike Trgovac talks about the team’s selection of defensive linemen Datone Jones and Josh Boyd. (5:25) Green Bay Packers defensive end Josh Boyd gives his reaction to being selected by Green Bay in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Additional coverage. The Packers went to the defensive side of the ball for Round 5 as they drafted a cornerback and defensive end.
NATE PALMER LB – ILLINOIS STATE – HT: 6-2 – WT: 248 – Drafted 6th Round, #193 Overall. Illinois State defensive end has playmaker ability.
Read Nate Palmer’s college biography AUDIO. (8:17) Green Bay Packers linebacker Nate Palmer gives his reaction to being selected by Green Bay in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
CHARLES JOHNSON WR – GRAND VALLEY STATE – HT: 6-2 – WT: 215 – Drafted 7th Round, #216 Overall. Grand Valley pass-catcher has big numbers. Read Charles Johnson’s college biography AUDIO. (5:53) Green Bay Packers wide receiver Charles Johnson gives his reaction to being selected by Green Bay in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft. KEVIN DORSEY WR – MARYLAND – HT: 6-1 – WT: 207 – Drafted 7th Round, #224 Overall. Grand Valley pass-catcher has big numbers. Read Kevin Dorsey’s college biography AUDIO.
(7:33) Green Bay Packers wide receiver Kevin Dorsey gives his reaction to being selected by Green Bay in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft. SAM BARRINGTON LB – SOUTH FLORIDA – HT: 6-1 – WT: 235 – Drafted 7th Round, #232 Overall. Illinois State defensive end has playmaker ability. Read Sam Barrington’s college biography AUDIO. (5:03) Green Bay Packers linebacker Sam Barrington gives his reaction to being selected by Green Bay in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft. COPYRIGHT © GREEN BAY PACKERS, INC.
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