The Cincinnati Bengals picked up starting left tackle Jonah Williams’ fifth-year option, the team announced Friday afternoon.
The Bengals drafted Williams, 24, in the 2019 first round. The deadline to pick up the fifth-year option on players drafted in the first round in his draft class is May 2. Every player selected in the first round of the NFL draft automatically gets a fifth year added to his contract and the team has the option to exercise that fifth year.
A team picking up the fifth-year option is often viewed as the barometer for draft success.
Bengals:Doc's Morning Line: Cincinnati Bengals are sitting pretty in tonight's NFL Draft
NFL Draft:Here are the best players the Cincinnati Bengals can get in round two of the NFL Draft
Williams has started 26 regular-season games for the Bengals and four postseason games since arriving in Cincinnati. The Bengals selected Williams with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft out of the University of Alabama. He was expected to start in his first season but suffered a torn labrum during organized team activities (OTAs) in his rookie season and missed his first season in the NFL.
With the acquisitions the Bengals made in free agency this year, Williams is the only offensive line starter to return from the 2021 season. Cincinnati added right guard Alex Cappa, center Ted Karras and left tackle La’el Collins this offseason. Left guard remains the only open spot the Bengals have left to fill on their offensive line.
According to Pro Football Focus, Williams allowed 10 sacks and 34 hurries in the 2021 season and was graded as the No. 65th rated offensive lineman in PFF’s pass-blocking metric.
Source link
