JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — – The Jaguars exercised the fifth-year option on edge player Travon Walker on Monday afternoon, taking the guesswork out of keeping the former No. 1 overall pick in town.
Teams have until May 1 to pick up the fifth-year options on players who were drafted in the first round in 2022. Walker is positioned for a major pay raise after boosting his totals in his previous two seasons.
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After a learning year in 2022, Walker posted 10 sacks in 2023 and 10.5 last year. When Jacksonville selected Walker out of Georgia, he was considered an elite prospect who needed time to figure out his position in the NFL. He moved all over the field in college. With Jacksonville, Walker has settled in at edge opposite Josh Hines-Allen and thrived. In addition to his improved sack numbers, Walker posted career highs in tackles for loss (13), tackles (61).
Linebacker Devin Lloyd is also a candidate to have his fifth-year option picked up, but his isn’t a guarantee like Walkers. Teams generally attempt to hammer out a contract extension with players whose options they pick up, like Trevor Lawrence last year. But Jacksonville also picked up the option on Hines-Allen and then used the franchise tag on him before the sides were able to agree to a long-term extension.
The fifth-year option gives teams the ability to bring back first-round picks for a fifth season (and a major salary increase). All draft picks earn four-year contracts, but first-round selections come with the caveat that teams can bring them back for a fifth season.
In 2025, a fifth-year option exercised on a defensive end range from $13.92 million to $23.4 million. The salary is broken down across four tiers, with players who earned at least two Pro Bowl selections in the top tier category.
The second tier is for players who earned at least one Pro Bowl. The third tier is for players for have logged at least 75% of snap share through three seasons or those who crossed the 50% snap barrier in their first three seasons. The lowest tier is for players who haven’t met any of the conditions in the previous three tiers. Walker has played 76% and higher snap counts in each of his three seasons.
