The May 2 NFL fifth-year option deadline is only a few weeks away, and a trio of NFC South teams have some big decisions to make on their former first-round picks. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Devin White), Carolina Panthers (Brian Burns), and Atlanta Falcons (Chris Lindstrom) will need to decide whether or not they want to give massive, guaranteed salaries to their homegrown talent in 2023.
Predicting NFC South fifth-year option decisions
The New Orleans Saints won’t need to make any major fifth-year option decisions this offseason. Instead, they’ll watch as their division rivals make their choices around the time frame of the upcoming NFL Draft.
Below are Pro Football Network’s predictions for the NFC South’s fifth-year option decisions.
To view previous predictions, click the division below
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Atlanta Falcons
Fifth-year option: G Chris Lindstrom
Prediction: Exercise
Lindstrom has done an excellent job asserting himself as the Falcons’ right guard. While he doesn’t get the pub of other notable guards, Lindstrom does his job well, and he’s a rare bright spot on a roster devoid of talent. With that in mind, the Falcons should pick up his fifth-year option.
Lindstrom didn’t allow a sack in 17 games last season. That alone should get the Falcons to guarantee his 2023 salary at $13.8 million.
Fifth-year option: OT Kaleb McGary
Prediction: Decline
The Falcons are likely to wait until the last minute before deciding on McGary. While they are in cap hell right now, a lot of money will open up next year. And while McGary has been up and down at right tackle, he’s still a homegrown talent on a roster that isn’t very good. That said, the Falcons did just draft Jalen Mayfield — he might be considered an upgrade at right tackle in the long run.
It’s hard to see the Falcons picking up two guaranteed $13.8 million salaries in 2023, so McGary draws the short straw of the 2019 first-round lineman tandem.
Carolina Panthers
Fifth-year option: DE Brian Burns
Prediction: Exercise
This is an absolute no-brainer. Burns has been an absolute force since arriving in Charlotte three years ago. He’s coming off his first Pro Bowl and has already produced 25.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles in his career. The Panthers will happily pay him a guaranteed $16 million to keep him in house.
It wouldn’t be shocking if Burns gets a long-term extension before the fifth-year option triggers. That’s how good he’s been for the Panthers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fifth-year option: LB Devin White
Prediction: Exercise
Coming off his first Pro Bowl season, White is a key cog in Todd Bowles’ defense. While $11.7 million might seem like a hefty price to pay for a linebacker, the Buccaneers clearly value White’s importance to the defense.
Through three seasons, White has produced 359 tackles, 39 QB hits, 15 sacks, 10 pass breakups, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 defensive touchdowns. That’s the type of production that’s worth paying for. It would be hard for the Bucs to replace White’s playmaking ability on defense, so paying him a guaranteed salary in his fifth season seems inevitable.