The New York Jets had three first-round picks in 2022, and that was Joe Douglas' biggest legacy for the franchise. The two higher ones, Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson, were absolute home runs. Jermaine Johnson II, the 26th overall pick, has had an up and down stint to start his career.

Now, three years later, it's time to make decisions. All of these players have guaranteed contracts for 2025, but as first-round picks, they have team fifth-year options available for 2026. The decision has to be made by early May, and if it's exercised, it's fully guaranteed.

Obvious choices

There are four levels of fifth-year options. A basic, one based on playing time, one for a Pro Bowl appearance, and two for multiple Pro Bowl appearances—it has to be in the original ballot.

Sauce Gardner is one of three players in the entire round to reach the best level, which means his option will be equivalent to a franchise tag for the position. In 2026, it's projected to be $20.357 million.

Garrett Wilson has never made the Pro Bowl, which makes his deal cheaper for the Jets. It's the second level, based on playing time, and projected to be $16.633 million.

While those are not inexpensive salaries, both players have performed at a high level and proven their Worth in the NFL. Even if the Jets eventually decide not to pay one of them, picking up the option is important to keep him under contract through 2026, facilitating and elevating their value in the trade market.

Tough decision

With Jermaine Johnson, things get a little more complicated. He made the Pro Bowl in 2023 as an alternate, so it doesn't count for fifth-year option purposes. The edge defender didn't reach the threshold for playing time either, so it's the basic level.

The option is projected to be $14.737 million. It's still a significant amount of money, especially for a player coming off an Achilles injury that made his miss most of the 2024 season.

Johnson had a fine but unspectacular rookie season, but shined in 2023 with 56 pressures and 7.5 sacks. He plays a premium position, and new head coach Aaron Glenn can certainly see the value of keeping him around.

At the same time, guaranteeing that amount of money a year in advance is complicated. Not exercising it wouldn't mean Johnson would be let go—the Jets would have a later option to franchise/transition tag him, or even to give him a long-term extension.

New general manager Darren Mougey has a lot of work to do over the next few months. And deciding on the future of players his predecessor took is a big part of that process.

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