For the first time, the Arizona Cardinals declined the fifth-year option on a first-round draft pick, passing on the extension for Robert Nkemdiche. He was their first-round pick in 2016 and has disappointed. However, that decision has been somewhat common among first-round picks from that year.
The first seven players in the 2016 draft have had their option picked up or have agreed to a contract extension. After that, options were picked up for only nine of the rest of the first-round choices, including just two of the final 10. No one after Kenny Clark, the 27th pick, was granted a fifth-year option; Nkemdiche was pick No. 29. The fifth-year option was introduced under the CBA in 2011.
So while his play has been disappointing and it was no real surprise the Cardinals did not pick up his option, many teams are in the same boat with their 2016 first-round picks.
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