The 2022 NFL Draft was only a few years ago, but Thursday marks the deadline for teams to declare whether they will pick up the 5th year option on players drafted in the first round. It’s a chance to look back at who has become elite since that class, who is struggling, and what the draft could have looked like.
The fifth year option window began on January 6. Essentially it allows a team to extend the rookie contract of a player taken in the first round, and in exchange it guarantees the salaries of their fourth and fifth year. It’s a way for team to prepare for the first big contract of a player’s career — and generally a good marker on whether or not a team is drafting successfully or not. After all, if you’re willing to let a player go after three seasons then something went wrong in the process.
As it stands every player from the 2022 class has had their option picked up except for the following:
In addition safety Lewis Cine, who was picked by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 32 pick is not eligible for the fifth year option. He was released by the Vikings prior to the 2024 season, and was subsequently signed by the Philadelphia Eagles.
This is a staggering list. So what happens if we try to re-draft the 2022 class with the information we know now? How good could some of these teams have been?
1 . Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE
Original Pick: Travon Walker, EDGE
The Hutchinson-Walker debate has raged on since they were drafted, with both guys bringing high quality traits to the table, but I’m going Hutchinson here because of the Jaguars’ need for a consistent pass rush. Walker has been very good against the run and constantly improved, but Hutchinson’s numbers as a pass rusher have been incredible, both in raw stats and pressure rate.
2. Detroit Lions: Derek Stingley Jr, CB
Original Pick: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE
Stingley has been one of the best corners in the league, having a standout 2024 that garnered him an All-Pro nod. Going with Stingley over Gardner is like splitting hairs at this point, but I’m leaning Stingley here for his capabilities in man coverage and ball skills.
3. Houston Texans: Sauce Gardner, CB
Original Pick: Derek Stingley Jr, CB
The Texans still take a CB here, but it ends up as Gardner instead of Stingley. While the ball production isn’t as good as Stingley, Gardner’s length and physicality really fit what the Houston Texans want to be on defense.
4. New York Jets: Trent McDuffie, CB
Original Pick: Sauce Gardner, CB
The Jets still go cornerback here, but McDuffie flies up the board into the top five. A standout playing both outside and inside, his versatility could really help unlock the possibilities in the Jets’ secondary and allow them to get their best players on the field. McDuffie has been one of the best corners in the league, and gets rewarded in this re-draft.
5. New York Giants: Travon Walker, EDGE
Original Pick: Kayvon Thibodeaux
Walker still goes top 5 here, but ends up going a little later to New York. I actually think Walker has become a bit underrated, despite being a very good run defender and posting 24 sacks in his career. Walker becomes the Giants’ new defensive centerpiece.
6. Carolina Panthers: Charles Cross, T
Original Pick: Ikem Ekwonu, T
A tackle still goes here, but Cross ends up going in the top 10 instead of Ekwonu. Cross is a smooth pass protector and a core offensive lineman for the Seahawks, but the Panthers take him at 6 to fortify their front lines for the foreseeable future.
7. New York Giants: Ikem Ekwonu, T
Original Pick: Evan Neal, T
The Evan Neal experiment hasn’t gone very well for the Giants, so in this re-draft they go back to the drawing board and draft the athletic and powerful Ekwonu, who has come into his own as a left tackle.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Drake London, WR
Original Pick: Drake London, WR
The first pick that stays the same, London and the Falcons feel like a great fit together. He’s a smooth route runner who can go up and get the ball as well, and has been productive despite not having great QBs throwing him the ball.
9. Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Smith, OG
Original Pick: Charles Cross, OT
The Seahawks drafting an interior offensive lineman? Anything can happen in this re-draft, and here I give Seattle Smith, who has quickly become one of the best guards in the game.
10. New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR
Original Pick: Garrett Wilson, WR
I was tempted to give the Jets a QB here, but instead I gave them the same player they drafted in Wilson, who despite poor QB play has been a bright spot for the Jets’ roster.
11. New Orleans Saints: Brock Purdy, QB
Original Pick: Chris Olave, WR
Ok now Brock Purdy goes off the board. I love Chris Olave when he’s on the field, but his injury history since entering the NFL is pretty scary. While there are reservations to giving Brock Purdy over $50M per year (as there should be), Purdy is a great point guard who can be hyper-efficient within the constraints of an offense. Purdy gives the Saints at least one answer at the QB spot.
12. Detroit Lions: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE
Original Pick: Jameson Williams, WR
Williams’ play is far too volatile to be picked 12th here, and with the Lions already going with Stingley Jr. at the top of the draft, they get their defensive line help via Johnson, who before being hurt was a powerful defender for the Jets.
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Davis, DT
Original Pick: Jordan Davis, DT
Davis and the Eagles were made for each other, a massive DT able to clog holes in the run game. He’s a bit limited, but with the way the Eagles rotate their defensive line, he still has plenty value here.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Hamilton, S
Original Pick: Kyle Hamilton, S
I couldn’t change this one even if I tried. Hamilton is versatile and has been an impact player since day 1, and Baltimore uses him in the absolute best way.
15. Houston Texans: Tyler Linderbaum, C
Original Pick: Kenyon Green, OG
It’s not exactly a 1:1 fit, but with the current state of the Texans’ offensive line, they just need talent. Linderbaum is one of the best centers in the NFL, and will be of great use for their offense.
16. Washington Commanders: Breece Hall, RB
Original Pick: Jahan Dotson, WR
This one is fun! The Commanders go offense, but instead bring in Hall, who is a threat to score every time with the ball in his hands.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Cam Jurgens, C
Original Pick: Zion Johnson, G
Again, not exactly a 1:1 fit, but Jurgens played guard in Philly before moving to center after Jason Kelce retired, and was a big reason why the Eagles won the Super Bowl this year.
18. Tennessee Titans: Khalil Shakir, WR
Original Pick: Treylon Burks, WR
The Treylon Burks experiment hasn’t gone well at all, so in this re-draft the Titans opt for Shakir, who’s been an explosive and dynamic target for the Bills out of the slot.
19. New Orleans Saints: Kyler Gordon, CB
Original Pick: Trevor Penning, OT
Penning is facing a make or break year potentially at guard in 2025, so instead the Saints pick Gordon, who has been an impact player at slot corner for the Bears.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: James Cook, RB
Original Pick: Kenny Pickett, QB
Man, the Steelers really screwed up that pick huh? In this re-draft, the Steelers go with James Cook, who provides much more of a pop from the backfield in the run and passing game.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Jameson Williams, WR
Original Pick: Trent McDuffie, CB
The Chiefs need some explosiveness in that receiver room, so why not go for the dynamic (if not volatile) Williams, who could give Patrick Mahomes the deep ball threat he’s been looking for since Tyreek Hill left.
22. Green Bay Packers: Nik Bonnito, EDGE
Original Pick: Quay Walker, LB
The Packers have needed Bonnito’s speed on their defensive line for a long time. In this re-draft, he goes at 22 to Green Bay so he can help turn up their pass rush.
23. Buffalo Bills: Christian Benford, CB
Original Pick: Kaiir Elam, CB
Benford was supposed to be the smaller name CB who didn’t show up as often for Buffalo, but has turned himself into one of the most underrated players at his position in the NFL. He’s rewarded by going to Buffalo again, but this time he’s five rounds higher.
24. Dallas Cowboys: George Pickens
Original Pick: Tyler Smith, OG
Pickens to Dallas makes total since. With CeeDee Lamb already being their top guy, Dallas needs some explosive plays downfield and Pickens is among the best to do it. The Cowboys will have to deal with his…antics, but he makes sense here at 24.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Trey McBride, TE
Original Pick: Tyler Linderbaum, C
The Ravens did pick a TE in this class (Isaiah Likely), but McBride has become one of the best in the game. He’s a threat after the catch and is a good player above the rim despite shorter arms. Baltimore loves their TE usage and McBride would fit the bill.
26. New York Jets: Zach Tom, OL
Original Pick: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE
Tom is one of the most versatile linemen in the NFL, which helps him leap into R1 to the Jets, who need to solidify their offensive line in various spots.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars: Isaiah Likely, TE
Original Pick: Devin Lloyd, LB
Likely is a dynamic receiver, who does his best work off the ball. The Jaguars have been looking for consistency at TE for what feels like a decade, and Likely could bring them that.
28. Green Bay Packers: Bernhard Raimann, OT
Original Pick: Devonte Wyatt, DT
Raimann’s game has constantly grown since entering the NFL, to the point where he’s become a quality starter for the Indianapolis Colts. Now, he goes to Green Bay, where he fits that offense like a glove.
29. New England Patriots: George Karlaftis, EDGE
Original Pick: Cole Strange, OG
Karlaftis plays a big role in how the Chiefs win up front, a hard charging pass rusher with heavy hands. The Patriots need to restock on their defensive line, and Karlaftis would bring a lot of power to that front.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Jalen Pitre, S
Original Pick: George Karlaftis, EDGE
Pitre is one of the NFL’s best at laying the smackdown on unsuspecting ball carriers, a missile from his nickel spot. While he doesn’t have the same coverage capabilities as Trent McDuffie, in this re-draft, it helps soften the blow of losing out on him.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Jake Ferguson, TE
Original Pick: Dax Hill, CB
With the amount of 11 personnel the Bengals run, having a tight end who can be a factor in the run and passing game is huge. Ferguson is a reliable blocker and pass catcher, doing most of the dirty work so other receivers can be explosive.
32. Minnesota Vikings: Riq Woolen, CB
Original Pick: Lewis Cine, S
Woolen is a big play waiting to happen at CB, using his speed and length to track down and intercept passes. In this re-draft, the Vikings take a chance on his athletic tools on the outside, hopefully giving them a franchise cornerstone.