Saquon Barkley, Baker Mayfield among interesting fifth-year option decisions; Travis Etienne team fits

Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. This edition opens up with the mounting decision teams face on some high-profile youngsters …

When it comes to evaluating a player’s NFL ability, what is a fair timetable for judgment? Scouts will tell anyone within earshot that it takes about three years of pro experience. This provides a big enough sample size to separate the wheat from the chaff. And over that span, true blue-chippers will show signs of dominance that’ll allow evaluators to view them as elite players at their respective positions. That’s why it is always interesting to track which first-round picks receive the fifth-year option.

The window to exercise that option on 2018 first-rounders opened on Wednesday, and teams now have until May 3 to pull the trigger. The 2020 collective bargaining agreement introduced a new sliding scale based on position and performance, with updated financial details provided by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero earlier this week:

Another important change in last year’s CBA: The fifth-year option is fully guaranteed. Previously, it was only guaranteed against injury, providing teams with a lower-risk incentive to initially exercise the option, knowing it could be retracted if a player didn’t perform well in Year 4. Now it’s locked in, making the decision tougher for teams.

Looking at the Class of 2018, I see a number of question marks on this front, even when it comes to high-profile names like Saquon Barkley.

The former No. 2 overall pick, who earned Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl honors in 2018, isn’t a lock to get a long-term extension. A series of injuries have forced him to miss 17 games over the past two seasons, and the fact that he’s currently recovering from a torn ACL has prompted the New York Giants to pause before picking up the option or extending his deal with a lucrative offer. Giants general manager Dave Gettleman discussed the challenge of making a decision on the team’s best offensive player earlier this week.

“Well, I think that’s part of the discussion, and obviously we’re going to have to make a decision in the spring on whether we pick up his fifth-year option or not,” Gettleman said. “You know, again, it comes back to that medical question. It’s unknown, and what you have to do is get your trainer and your doctors involved and make your best decision.”

This kind of talk probably takes some people by surprise, and understandably so: When healthy, Barkley is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league. And Big Blue’s roster isn’t exactly flush with offensive firepower, a reality Gettleman acknowledges.

“Every team needs playmakers, let’s be honest,” Gettleman said. “Good lord willing, Saquon will be 100 percent and obviously he’ll make a huge difference. A healthy Saquon obviously makes a big difference, but again, you’re always looking to add good players. And, oh, by the way, we’re not playing until September, so we’ve got free agency and we’ve got the draft, and we’ll see how it plays out.”

Definitely something to watch. But Barkley’s not the only 2018 first-rounder with questions around his fifth-year option. Here are five more guys to keep an eye on:

All eyes were on Travis Etienne at Clemson’s pro day — and the spectacular playmaker didn’t disappoint. The No. 2 running back on my top-five list dazzled evaluators in attendance Thursday on the way to cementing his status as a Day 1 prospect.

Checking in at 5-foot-10 and 215 pounds, Etienne showed off a chiseled frame that appears ready to handle the rigors of being a three-down back. The Clemson standout showcased A-level athleticism and explosiveness with a 10-foot-8-inch broad jump and a 33.5-inch vertical jump. Most importantly, Etienne clocked 40-yard dash times of 4.41 and 4.43 seconds. Although some evaluators expected him to post sub-4.4 times, there aren’t any questions about his game speed, burst and explosiveness in pads. And let’s be honest: Can anyone really consider 4.41 disappointing?

During positional drills, Etienne’s combination of balance, body control and agility was impressive. He glided through the bags without losing speed and his instant acceleration at the end of the drills suggested that he has another gear to run away from defenders at the second level.

As a pass catcher, Etienne displayed better-than-expected hands and ball skills. He plucked the ball out of the air with ease and didn’t appear to have any issues adjusting to errant throws. Although he lacks refinement as a route runner, he is an A+ athlete with the potential to become a mismatch in the passing game. Even if he fails to develop into an Alvin Kamara-like all-around weapon, he’ll still remain an explosive option on screens and swings.

Comparing Etienne’s workout to his performance in pads, it is easy to see why he was one of the most prolific playmakers in ACC and college football history. He finished his career with 6,000-plus scrimmage yards (4,952 rush yards, 1,155 receiving yards) and 78 total touchdowns (70 rushing, eight receiving) in 1,852 career snaps over 55 games.

Etienne is a dazzling one-cut runner with exceptional speed, quickness and burst. He has the kind of zero-to-60 acceleration that leads to sleepless nights for defensive coordinators crafting game plans to defend him in the backfield. As an inside runner, he displays outstanding balance, body control and agility running through arm tackles in traffic. He powers through contact and finishes his runs with authority.

In the passing game, Etienne is a dynamic playmaker on screens and swings. He displays the patience to weave through traffic behind his blockers while avoiding defenders in pursuit. He remains a work in progress as a route runner, but his overall explosiveness is eye-popping.

Overall, Etienne is a Day 1 prospect with the potential to become a star in the right system. He has speed to burn and a combination of balance, body control and vision that makes him a threat to score whenever he touches the rock.

Here are five ideal team fits for the Clemson product: