The deadline just recently passed for teams to pick up fifth-year options for players drafted in the first round in 2015. Twenty of the 32 had the options picked up with some being no-brain decisions (some examples are Vic Beasley, Amari Cooper, Melvin Gordon, Todd Gurley, Marcus Mariota, Marcus Peters, Brandon Scherff, and Jameis Winston).
Some players ready to become free agents
Twelve first-round picks of 2015 had their fifth-year options declined, though, meaning they will be free agents after the upcoming season. Here are those 12 players and their teams that decided not to pick up the option.
Not picked up
- Stephone Anthony, LB - Dolphins (31st selection in 2015 by Saints)
On September 20, 2017, the Dolphins acquired Anthony from the Saints for a fifth-round pick. He played eight games for Miami and made 15 tackles. His rookie season of 2015 with the Saints, he started every game and made 112 tackles along with a sack and interception.
- Malcom Brown, DT - Patriots (32nd selection in 2015 by Patriots)
Brown has started 37 of his 45 career games for New England including 12-of-13 last year. He ended with 48 tackles and three sacks in 2017 and has 147 and 8.5 respectively over three seasons.
- Phillip Dorsett, WR - Patriots (29th selection in 2015 by Colts)
Right before the start of last season, the Patriots traded quarterback Jacoby Brissett to the Colts in exchange for Dorsett.
He had just 12 catches for 194 yards without a touchdown in his first year with New England. In three seasons, he has compiled 63 receptions for 947 yards and three touchdowns.
- Cam Erving, OT - Chiefs (19th selection in 2015 by Browns)
Prior to last season, the Chiefs traded a fifth-round pick to the Browns to acquire Erving.
He started four of his 13 games for Kansas City in 2017. He started all 13 of his appearances for Cleveland in 2016.
- Ereck Flowers, OT - Giants (9th selection in 2015 by Giants)
Flowers has started all 46 of his career games at left tackle, but the Giants signed Nate Solder in the offseason to take over that position. Pro Football Focus ranked him as just the 54th best tackle last year.
- Dante Fowler Jr., DE - Jaguars (3rd selection in 2015 by Jaguars)
Fowler missed his entire rookie season with an injury, and he has started only one game in the ensuing two years. He did have eight sacks last year as well as a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
- Cedric Ogbuehi, OT - Bengals (21st selection in 2015 by Bengals)
While Ogbuehi started 13 games at left tackle last season, Cincinnati traded for Cordy Glenn to take over that position in the offseason. He was rated extremely low by Pro Football Focus as they graded him as the 70th best tackle in 2017.
- Breshad Perriman, WR - Ravens (26th selection in 2015 by Ravens)
A knee injury sidelined Perriman for his entire rookie season, and he hasn’t been productive in the following two years.
Last season, he was nearly invisible ending with just 10 catches for 77 yards. Baltimore has already signed receivers Michael Crabtree, John Brown, and Willie Snead in the offseason.
- Shane Ray, LB - Broncos (23rd selection in 2015 by the Broncos)
Ray had eight sacks in 2016 but missed eight games last year. He only recorded one sack and 16 tackles. Denver went on to draft edge rusher Bradley Chubb with the fifth pick in this year’s draft which will likely take away playing time from Ray.
- Danny Shelton, DT - Patriots (12th selection in 2015 by the Browns)
After three years with the Browns, Shelton was traded along with a fifth-round pick to the Patriots for a third-round pick this offseason. He has started 44 of his career 46 games and has 128 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
- Laken Tomlinson, G - 49ers (28th selection in 2015 by the Lions)
Tomlinson was traded after just two seasons last year to the 49ers for a fifth-round pick. He started all 15 of his games at left guard for San Francisco in 2017 and started 24 of 32 games for Detroit. Pro Football Focus rated him as the 32nd best guard in 2017.
- Kevin White, WR - Bears (7th selection by the Bears)
White has been a major bust thus far for the Bears as he just hasn’t been able to stay on the field. He missed his rookie year and has played in just five career games. He has only 21 career catches for 193 yards without a touchdown.