The 2022 NFL draft class now has three years of experience in the league, meaning that each team will decide on exercising the fifth-year options on the rookie contracts of former first-round picks.

The deadline for teams to pick up fifth-year options is Thursday, while the exact salary amounts for each fifth year are determined by playing time as well as potential Pro Bowl appearances.

Some players have made the decision easy by quickly blossoming into stars including Detroit Lions pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson, New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner and Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton.

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The 2022 draft didn't feature any top quarterback prospects compared to typical drafts, and teams were wise to stay away from reaching for signal-callers in the first round.

Kenny Pickett was the only passer selected within the first 32 picks, failing to meet expectations throughout two years as a starter on the Pittsburgh Steelers before serving in a backup role for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.

While he has an opportunity to compete for a starting spot on the Cleveland Browns in 2025, it wasn't enough to warrant the team picking up his fifth-year option.

Instead, front offices focused on the other side of the ball early in the draft. Each of the top five picks in the 2022 draft were defensive players, and all of them had their fifth-year options exercised by their respective teams.

Hutchinson, Gardner and Derek Stingley Jr. have all made Pro Bowl appearances to start their careers. Travon Walker and Kayvon Thibodeaux haven't been able to do the same, but they still combined to record 16 sacks in 2024.

Stingley is the only member of the first round of the 2022 draft to receive an extension so far, signing a three-year deal worth $90 million with the Houston Texans on March 17.

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta confirmed that the team is focused on handing Hamilton a long-term extension, though.

Teams found success at wide receiver in the middle of the first round in 2022 as well. Drake London, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jameson Williams have all developed into key contributors in the passing attack of their respective teams and saw their fifth-year options picked up.