Option notebook: Lee, Nkemdiche, Ifedi to free agency after 2019
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[May 03, 2019]
The New York Jets will not pick
up linebacker Darron Lee's fifth-year option before Friday's
deadline, according to multiple reports Thursday.
Lee, 24, has reportedly been shopped in trade talks for much of the
offseason, but he remained on the team's roster through last
weekend's draft.
His fifth-year option would have been worth about $9.5 million in
2020 and guaranteed only for injury. Instead, he is set to become a
free agent after the 2019 season, unless the Jets release him before
then.
Lee was drafted 20th overall in 2016. He had 74 tackles, three
interceptions and five passes defensed last season while starting 12
games.
--NFL Network reported that the Arizona Cardinals will decline
defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche's fifth-year option, which would
have been worth $7.7 million.
Nkemdiche, 24, had 4.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits and nine
tackles for loss last season while missing six games due to injury.
He had no sacks, three QB hits and one tackle for loss across 17
games in his first two seasons, missing time in each to injury.
Once pegged as a potential top-10 prospect, Nkemdiche slid to 29th
overall in 2016 due to concerns about his work ethic and
personality.
--The Seattle Seahawks will decline right tackle Germain Ifedi's
fifth-year option, according to multiple reports. The option would
have been worth $10.4 million.
Ifedi, who turns 25 on June 2, has allowed 19 sacks -- according to
STATS LLC. -- and committed 32 penalties through 44 games (all
starts) across three seasons. He drew praise for improved play in
2018 but was still credited with a career-high seven sacks
surrendered in 15 games.
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Jets Darron Lee runs for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions
during the second half of their NFL game in Detroit, Michigan U.S.
September 10, 2018. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook
The Seahawks took Ifedi 31st overall in 2016 after trading down five
spots.
--The Carolina Panthers declined defensive tackle Vernon Butler's
fifth-year option, which would have been worth $7.7 million.
Butler, who turns 25 on June 14, has yet to start a game through
three seasons, playing in 38 as a reserve. He has 45 career tackles
(three for loss), two sacks and 10 QB hits.
The Panthers took Butler 30th overall in 2016.
--The San Francisco 49ers will decline the $10.4 million fifth-year
option for guard Joshua Garnett, according to multiple reports.
Garnett, 25, played just 59 offensive snaps in seven games as a
reserve last season after missing the whole 2017 campaign after knee
surgery. He started 11 of 15 games as a rookie, giving up three
sacks and committing four penalties.
The 49ers traded up nine spots to take Garnett 28th overall in 2016.
--Field Level Media
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