Time to look into the crystal football and see where teams are heading with their first-round picks when it comes to eventually making decisions on fifth-year options.
32. New Orleans Saints: Ryan Ramczyk
The Saints have an easy decision. They will eventually pick up the option on Ryan Ramczyk, who has been one of the better right tackles in his first two seasons in the league. He can approach elite status by continuing the play he has shown.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Reuben Foster
Reuben Foster is out for the year with Washington. It was a peculiar and unpopular decision to pick him up after SF released him. Unlikely Washington will want to keep him.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt
A lock to be picked up.
29. Cleveland Browns: David Njoku
If the tight end out of Miami continues to progress — going from 32 catches to 56 — the Browns will likely pick up his option. The growth needs to continue.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Taco Charlton
Have to think Taco Charlton needs to show immense improvement for Dallas to pick up his option. He’s started seven games in two seasons, not what one expects from a first-round pick. At this point he is on the fence, leaning toward no.
27. Buffalo Bills: Tre’Davious White
Thirty-two games, thirty-two starts. A lock to be picked up.
26. Atlanta Falcons: Takkarist McKinley
Takkarist McKinley is trending in the right direction for the Falcons to make a fifth-year commitment. Thirteen sacks in two seasons are a healthy start to an NFL career. He has only made eight starts, though, all coming in 2018.
25. Cleveland Browns: Jabrill Peppers
The Giants had better pick up the fifth-year option on Jabrill Peppers or Big Blue Nation is going to flip after he was part of what was landed for Odell Beckham Jr. The former Michigan star saw a lot of action in Cleveland and also is a returner, which helps.
24. Oakland Raiders: Gareon Conley
Gareon Conley is exactly what the Raiders hoped he would be: a shutdown corner. The Silver & Black need to keep him in their colors and secondary.
23. New York Giants: Evan Engram
Evan Engram has yet to play a full 16-game slate in two seasons. That likely would be a cautionary point to keep this Giants on the fence about the tight end. In all likelihood expect his option to be picked up … unless he continues to fail to stay healthy.
22. Miami Dolphins: Charles Harris
The stats and game action make it seem like Miami would have to consider not picking up the option on Charles Harris. Then, you ready what Brian Flores says: “I can’t say enough good things about him,” Flores said. “He’s the kind of guy we want in the building. Honestly, I don’t care about his past. I care about right now. That’s where I’m at. … He’s really doing a good job for us in the classroom, on the field. He’s smart. He’s hard-working. He’s got a lot of ability.” Still, he has to be put on the fence until he lives up to the quote.
21. Detroit Lions: Jarrad Davis
The Lions have to be concerned and at this point heading toward not picking up the option on Jarrad Davis. Check out what Pro Football Focus wrote: “Davis has yet to post a season grade higher than 55.0, and it’s been all facets of the game that have contributed. Davis has missed 36 tackles over the last two years while allowing nearly 80.0 percent of the passes targeting him to be completed for a passer rating of 106.8. Last season, his run-defense grade of 33.7 was third-worst among 92 qualifying linebackers.”
20. Denver Broncos: Garett Bolles
Garett Boles has seen struggles and success. That mix is a problem for Denver, which has to be considered on the fence at this stage with its offensive lineman.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: O.J. Howard
O.J. Howard has played in 24 games in two seasons. He has 60 catches. Tight ends are hard to find and that puts Tampa Bay in a spot of hoping the former Alabama star steps it up big time in 2019. Have to say they would be on the fence unless he is able to show he can play 16 games and double his career catch total in this season.
18. Tennessee Titans: Adoree’ Jackson
Going to put the Titans on the fence about Adoree’ Jackson. He needs to improve his pass coverage for Tennesse to commit to him long-term. Inconsistency has been the major issue for the former USC DB.
17. Washington Redskins: Jonathan Allen
After seeing his rookie season end early, Jonathan Allen rewarded Washington with a strong second year. He had eight sacks and displayed the talent that should make him a vital part of Washington’s defense for the future. Expect the option to be picked up.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Marlon Humphrey
Look for Baltimore to pick up the option on Marlon Humphrey, who has had two strong seasons and should continue to be a vital spoke in the wheel that is the Ravens’ defense.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Malik Hooker
An ACL injury ended Malik Hooker’s first season. His second season was up-and-down. The former Ohio State DB needs to show more and reward the Colts for picking him at 15. They would love to keep him but he has to prove himself. On the fence .. for now.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Barnett
Eagles exec Howie Roseman basically eliminates any doubt about Derek Barnett with this quote: “I’d say every time he’s on the field, he’s rewarding our investment in him,” Roseman said. “We have a lot of confidence in him as a player and he’s a huge part of our football team. He’s shown that this isn’t a guy that’s going into his third year and we haven’t seen what he’s done. We’ve seen what he’s done in big games. We saw what he was doing last year before he got hurt. We expect him to come in and be a huge part of our team.”
13. Arizona Cardinals: Haason Reddick
Haason Reddick has put the Cardinals on the fence. He needs to grow and turn his struggles into success.
12. Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson
The Houston Texans’ only concern about Deshaun Watson would be his ability remain on the field. He’s an absolute sure thing to be picked up barring another injury that could be career-threatening.
11. New Orleans Saints: Marshon Lattimore
The Saints hit gold when picking Marshon Lattimore. Of course, his option will be picked up.
10. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes
Why ask? A no-brainer. Patrick Mahomes will be a Chief for a long time. Appears to be a generational player.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: John Ross
At this point, the Bengals have to be beating themselves up for making this choice. Ross has been a huge bust and it would take an incredible turn for Cincy to commit to him.
8. Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey
An absolute lock to be picked up and remain a Panther as long as Christian McCaffrey wants to be one.
7. Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Williams
Expect Mike Williams to see more passes from Philip Rivers. He was healthy for all 16 games in 2018 and if he continues to grow the way he did from Year One to Year Two, he will continue to wear the lightning bolt.
6. New York Jets: Jamal Adams
Jamal Adams is one of the brightest spots for Gang Green. The Jets will be in a rush to pick his option up.
5. Tennessee: Titans: Corey Davis
Corey Davis is another player who showed more in his second season. He needs to continue to improve and it is likely the Titans will continue to invest in the wideout.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette
This is dicey. Leonard Fournette has not played as well as Jacksonville expected and he has had other issues. Unless the former LSU star gets his act together and has a monster season, expect the Jaguars to lean from on the fence to no, thanks.
3. San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas
2. Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky
You don’t make the moves the Bears made to get Mitchell Trubisky to not pick up his option. He showed great growth in his second season and is an absolute lock to remain in Chicago.
1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett
A Brown for as long as Myles Garrett wants to be in Cleveland.
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