Five NFL players with the most to prove after teams declined their fifth-year option

Of the 32 first-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, 14 did not have their fifth-year options exercised. Most were no-brainer decisions by the teams, but some raised eyebrows.

Without any security beyond the 2024 season, these five players among the 14 have the most to prove:

Running back Najee Harris | Pittsburgh Steelers

Harris is by far the most surprising player to have his fifth-year option declined. Last season, he became the first player in Steelers history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons — an accomplishment that came playing behind one of the league's worst offensive lines.

Pittsburgh finally finished rebuilding its offensive line this offseason but decided it wants to see how Harris functions in new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's offense before making a long-term commitment to him, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

Harris' option would have cost the Steelers $6.8M, a relatively cheap pickup.

If Harris has an excellent season, he could capitalize with a big payday and leave the team regretting its decision.

Quarterback Justin Fields | Pittsburgh Steelers

On the other hand, it was not surprising the Steelers declined to exercise the fifth-year option ($25.7M) on Fields, who has a lot to prove.

The Bears traded him to Pittsburgh for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick and drafted Southern Cal's Caleb Williams to replace him.

Russell Wilson is slated to start at QB for the Steelers, but if he falters, Fields will get a chance to prove Chicago wrong for giving up on him so soon.

The 25-year-old has flashed upside, throwing for 4,804 yards and 33 touchdowns and rushing for 1,800 yards and 12 touchdowns the past two seasons.

Wide receiver Kadarius Toney | Kansas City Chiefs

Toney's three-year NFL career has already had as many ups and downs as some players have in their entire careers. He began as the No. 20 overall pick by the Giants, but they moved on from him after less than two seasons, dealing him to the Chiefs for 2023 third- and sixth-round picks.

At first, a change of scenery seemed to be all Toney needed. He played a large role in Kansas City's Super Bowl LVII run and recorded the longest punt return in Super Bowl history (65 yards) against the Eagles.

However, in 2023, Toney's play nosedived for a receiving corps that led the league in drops with 44 (Toney had five). He was inactive throughout the playoffs with an injury designation, but Toney initially disputed he was hurt. 

If Kansas City wanted to move on from Toney, it would have done so by now. So he must take full advantage of his last opportunity to play with QB Patrick Mahomes and turn his career back around.

Quarterback Trey Lance | Dallas Cowboys

The 49ers traded three first-round picks as part of the trade package to move up to the third overall pick and draft Lance in 2021. However, after an injury-riddled first two seasons, San Francisco cut its losses, sending him to the Cowboys for a 2024 fourth-round pick and replacing him with Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy.

It wasn't surprising Dallas didn't exercise Lance's fifth-year option ($22.4M ), but he could find himself in an interesting position in a year.

QB Dak Prescott is heading into the final year of his deal, and if the team isn't willing to give him the huge payday he's looking for, Lance would provide a much cheaper option.

Lance would first need to prove he's worth giving a chance after throwing for just 797 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in his career, but who knows what the 2024 season will hold?

Linebacker Jamin Davis | Washington Commanders

Davis has seemingly played better every year of his NFL career. Over the past two seasons, he has 193 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and five passes defensed.

However, the former No. 19 overall pick's option came at a hefty price of $14.5M. With a new regime, including a new head coach (Dan Quinn), taking over, it's not surprising the Commanders declined to pick up Davis' option.

In the offseason, the Commanders signed four new linebackers in Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Anthony Pittman and Mykal Walker in free agency. For Washington to want to retain Davis, he must have a big season.