The Dallas Cowboys just traded for cornerback Kaiir Elam and they already have a big decision to make on their hands surrounding the former first-round pick.
Elam is headed into his fourth season in the NFL and as is the case with every first-round player still on a rookie deal, that means the Cowboys have the right to exercise a fifth-year option this offseason. Dallas has until May 1st to pick it up. Otherwise, Elam's deal would expire after the 2025 season.
It's a similar situation to the Trey Lance one the Cowboys found themselves in last year. Dallas didn't pick up Lance's fifth-year option and is currently a free agent. He's unlikely to return to Dallas.
A fifth-year option is a great tool for NFL teams as it gives them certain power over players. A rookie deal, which is four years long, can turn into a five year deal as long as the team wants it to. However, they're not cheap and they're fully guaranteed.
Even for Elam, who qualifies for the most basic one, the Cowboys would have to spend a good chunk of money: $12.68 million.
The problem is, even if it's true that Elam fits the Cowboys defense better than he did with the Bills defenses, it's a lot of money to commit to a player who has struggled during each of his first three seasons in the league.
Compare it with Tyler Smith, who is also eligible for a fifth-year option that is highly likely to be picked up before May. Smith qualifies for a more expensive option for an offensive lineman at $21.3 million thanks to the fact that he has been named an original ballot Pro Bowler once. But it's one thing to commit that money to a proven All-Pro caliber player that you're going to extend long-term anyways than in the new kid on the block with no resume.
