5th Year Option Advantage Of 13th Pick

Cheaper 5th Year Option is an advantage of 13th pick.

The 5th Year Option is much cheaper at the 13th pick over the 8th.

 5th Year Option became cheaper in the move from the 13th pick to the 8th.

When making a decision, having a laundry list of reasons usually produces good results. One of the advantages of the Miami Dolphins move back from the 8th pick to the 13th is the cheaper 5th Year Option.

We don’t know all of Tannenbaum’s rationales on the trade, but acquiring Maxwell and Alonso is the obvious: three players for one pick has been the mantra. We can also assume that the advantage was in acquiring both players via trade was a way to fill the roster without affecting compensatory picks. Last, and while it might be a slight reach, Alonso is likely playing liaison and counselor to his friend Dion Jordan. This is what generally has been talked about.

But, there is also another reason.

The NFL has a 2 tiered system for determining the cost of the 5th year option. Miami’s pick at 13 offers a substantial economic advantage over 8.

The benefit of getting a first-round pick outside of the top 10, the 5th Year Option provides a nice break when it comes to the salary for that option year and a negotiating lever for talks on a long-term contract.

“The NFL The fifth-year option for a player drafted in the top 10 is the average of the top 10 salaries at the player’s position in his fourth season — the same figure as the transition tag. For players selected between the 11th and 32nd picks, the 5th-year option salary is the average of the players ranked third to 25th at their position,” as per Chicago Tribune.

 The cheaper 5th Year Option helps keep a team together.

While the $3mill dollars isn’t chump change to even the best pay per head bookie, the difference has even more of an effect than simply on the salary cap. It also offers a negotiating edge for teams if they chose to hammer out a multi-year extension. This helps provide team cohesion through cap responsibility.

Before you jump up and say the difference in slots means a difference in the quality of players, consider that since 2010 the following players have been picked between the 11th and 15th picks: J.J. Watt, Aaron Donald, Sheldon Richardson, Fletcher Cox, Star Lotulelei, Michael Floyd, Robert Quinn, Earl Thomas and Jason Pierre-Paul, Odell Beckham Jr.

Of course, it takes a quality FO to make the right picks so that the 5th Year Option comes into play. This again shows the weight that is on Mike Tannenbaum and Chris Grier to make a big hit this draft. My popcorn is popping for Thursday. Go Fins!!!


 

18 comments

  • Dunner

    Just read where Reshad Jones is going to hold out for a new contract. Seriously???? Reshad is the 4th highest payed safety in the league at $8,202,942. The highest payed is Byrd at 10.9 million. When is enough enough??? Do you (Jones) think you should be the highest paid? NOT, though he is a good run supporter and a down hill thumper, hes not a great cover guy.

    I loved what Carolina did to Norman, more teams need to do the same. Miami needs players in the building that are all in and on the same page. Could/should Miami do the same, in other words; trade him for a second round pick (Jones does have some trade value at this point), which at that spot could give you one of the top 2 safeties in the draft. Oh yea, at a much much cheaper price for 4 years. Jones is in the middle of a 4 year deal, I could understand if it were his second contract, not the case.

    Gase and company are trying to build a winning environment. Would a move like that support his philosophy or send wrong message to the players? Get w it Jones!!!

    • admin

      REALLY??!!! That’s very disappointing…I hope it’s false.

    • admin

      You are correct saw it up on bleacher…guess I need to do an article on it.

    • Lemmus

      …for once I agree with Dunner …if this Jones story has legs, put him on the trade line, see what he’s worth …what we don’t need is someone not all in on playing winning football for this team, this year …he’ll create rot at the core of the defense …better we go with a 4 year rookie starter with potential

      …of course, it may not have legs …lots of peeps writing tales right now just to get something published …don’t like the smell of it, Jones would be the wrong place at the wrong time to be doing this …but then, stranger things have happened …and it is the fins

      …and no, Tennenbum isn’t crazy enough to drop his shorts and go all in for a S just because Jones is ruminating some.

  • Dunner

    I too believe that the 5th year option just happened to be a bonus. Reality is; the 8th overall pick has garnished 2 starters in positions of need and should they trade back, that pick could garnish 3 or even 4 possible starters from one draft spot (8 overall). That is some good general managing and could be some great general managing with the right pick(s).

    There is always a player that slides farther than expected, and from what I have seen recently that player could be Myles Jack. I was touting Jack early in this process before we traded out of the 8 spot but never imagined he could be that at 13. I know, before everyone screams “injury concern”, are you crazy. Remember last year’s draft? Todd Gurley was coming off the same knee injury and was the 10th overall pick and wouldn’t be ready for at least the first few weeks of the season, he panned out and looks to be the real deal in a more physically demanding position.

    Dream Scenario: Elliott or Jack falls to Miami or a trade out to get another second round pick. Just my thinking!

    • admin

      Yea, Dunner. I agree. Any decision Tannenbaum makes Dawn Aponte, and I’m sure a legal team, all preface him on any advantages or disadvantages regarding a move he is intending to make. Then I’m sure he does the same thing with Grier and the coaching staff. As I stated in the articles I’m sure it was a soup of rationales. I don’t think Alsono’s connection to Jordan went unnoticed in the deal…not saying it was the deal maker, and I’m not saying the cheaper 5th year option was either. BUT, there is now way you head in this cap responsible build through the draft mode and it’s not a consideration.

    • Steve

      Dunner

      I’m with you on trading out for the more picks if the key players are gone? But on a different note! The 1st round player has to be healthy to see the dividends. We saw very little with Devante Parker WR last season at 14th picked?

      Elliot and Hargreaves are Healthy and Ready to Roll! Johnathan Williams the Running back from Arkansas had foot surgery in August last year, in the 3rd or 4th round I don’t see a problem with him. In my opinion I Believed after Elliot he is number two running back? He was out last season so it was Alex Collins. Though Alex is more shiftier and fast and Williams is more powerful described as having moves like Elliot and power like Carlos Hide.

  • Lemmus

    …ok, we’re digging into the broom closet here …does anyone “really” think they traded back because of a slightly lower 5th year option cost 5 years from now? …really?

    …granted, its an interesting point …but 3 days before the draft?

    …me’thinks someone is having writer’s block, eh 🙂

    …how about a short list of those we would “definitely” take at 13 instead of look for a trade back on?

    …Tunstil, Stanley, Bosa, Elliot, Hargreaves …yea verily …but who else would make you take the pick instead of trade back?

    …or …who would be worth trading up 3 positions for and what picks could TannenBum offer?

    …c’mon guys …d r a f t !!! …not 5th year options …imnsho of course 🙂

    • admin

      Lemmus, where does it say they did the trade for that? It says it’s WAS an advantage in the trade back and likely was ONE of the considerations.
      “When making a decision, having a laundry list of reasons usually produces good results. One of the advantages in the Miami Dolphins move back from the 8th pick to the 13th is the cheaper 5th Year Option.”

      • Steve

        Admin

        I agree!

      • Steve

        Admin We have a possible starting Corner draft in the 7th. I think a Steal!

        7th rounder

        Daryl Worley, CB

        STRENGTHS: Offers an intriguing natural skill set including great height, long arms and steady acceleration to handle outside coverage duties. Uses aggressive hands to get an initial shove on the receiver and isn’t afraid to ride wideouts throughout the route. Locates the ball quickly and shows the confidence, competitive nature, strength and leaping ability to contest the pass, including the hand-eye coordination and soft hands to pluck the interception. Generally reliable open-field tacker who flashes physicality to intimidate.

        He has some off field problems with the Right mentorship program maybe a steal in the 7th round or FA???

    • admin

      Also, if the player or players they had in mind is expected to be there at 13 it is also wise to pay less for him.

    • Travis Lee

      I’ll tell you one player I would consider. Shaq Lawson. I know it’s not the biggest need but our two starters are getting old and Wake is coming off a serious injury. I really like this kid. Someone you might like that I also would consider is Jack Conklin. Been rumors that we could trade Albert. If we did we could take his replacement in the first and a guard with the extra pick. Then we could still go CB in the second. I like Burns from the U. He needs good coaching and that’s Joseph’s specialty. What do you think?

      • admin

        Yeah, Travis. Conklin and Shaq are solid picks. I have been trying to buff up my prospects knowledge and those are two I have been looking into.