- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 391,873
- Reaction score
- 43
May 1 is the deadline for clubs to exercise the fifth-year option for players selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.
The New York Giants have two such players to make decisions on: Outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (selected fifth overall) and offensive tackle Evan Neal (selected seventh overall).
Over the Cap recently produced a chart predicting each first-round pick's status and salary based on their performance thus far in the league. The four categories are: Basic, playtime, one Pro Bowl, and multiple Pro Bowls.
Thibodeaux falls into the playtime category. It is calculated from the average of the 3rd to 20th highest salaries at their position over the past five seasons, provided that their snap counts over their first three seasons meet one of the following three criteria: 50% or greater over all three seasons or 75% or greater in two of their first three seasons an average of 75% or greater over all three seasons.
Thibodeaux played 65 percent of the snaps in his rookie season of 2022, 86 percent in 2023 and 54 percent last season, so he qualifies for the playtime rate worth $14.751 million for the 2026 season, fully guaranteed.
Neal falls into the basic category, meaning he did not meet any of the requirements but will be eligible for a fifth-year base salary calculated from the average of the 3rd to 25th highest salaries at their position over the past five seasons.
Neal has largely struggled at right tackle and has played through multiple injuries. Out of a possible 51 regular season games, Neal has only dressed for 29, starting 27. Should the Giants pick up his fifth-year option, it will cost them $16.7 million next season.
The consensus is that the Giants will pick up Thibodeaux's option but decline Neal's. But that has come into question after signing Chauncey Golston in free agency and the real possibility of Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter being available to them in the draft at No. 3 overall.
Golston could be seen as a replacement for Azeez Ojulari, however. Ojulari signed with Philadelphia recently in free agency.
As for Neal, the Giants would be wise to take their chances. If he happens to break out this season, they'll deal with things next offseason. If he continues to struggle and underperform, they will have made the right decision.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Two fifth-year option decisions looming for Giants
Continue reading...
The New York Giants have two such players to make decisions on: Outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (selected fifth overall) and offensive tackle Evan Neal (selected seventh overall).
Over the Cap recently produced a chart predicting each first-round pick's status and salary based on their performance thus far in the league. The four categories are: Basic, playtime, one Pro Bowl, and multiple Pro Bowls.
Thibodeaux falls into the playtime category. It is calculated from the average of the 3rd to 20th highest salaries at their position over the past five seasons, provided that their snap counts over their first three seasons meet one of the following three criteria: 50% or greater over all three seasons or 75% or greater in two of their first three seasons an average of 75% or greater over all three seasons.
Thibodeaux played 65 percent of the snaps in his rookie season of 2022, 86 percent in 2023 and 54 percent last season, so he qualifies for the playtime rate worth $14.751 million for the 2026 season, fully guaranteed.
Neal falls into the basic category, meaning he did not meet any of the requirements but will be eligible for a fifth-year base salary calculated from the average of the 3rd to 25th highest salaries at their position over the past five seasons.
Neal has largely struggled at right tackle and has played through multiple injuries. Out of a possible 51 regular season games, Neal has only dressed for 29, starting 27. Should the Giants pick up his fifth-year option, it will cost them $16.7 million next season.
The consensus is that the Giants will pick up Thibodeaux's option but decline Neal's. But that has come into question after signing Chauncey Golston in free agency and the real possibility of Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter being available to them in the draft at No. 3 overall.
Golston could be seen as a replacement for Azeez Ojulari, however. Ojulari signed with Philadelphia recently in free agency.
As for Neal, the Giants would be wise to take their chances. If he happens to break out this season, they'll deal with things next offseason. If he continues to struggle and underperform, they will have made the right decision.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Two fifth-year option decisions looming for Giants
Continue reading...
