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!!!