5 Top-Five NFL Draft Picks Who Were Traded Before Their Rookie Contracts Expired

Jeff Okudah and Baker Mayfield headline the list of high draft picks recently traded early in their careers.

By trading Jeff Okudah to the Falcons, the Lions shipped out a top-five draft pick just three years after selecting him. Since 2011, when the NFL instituted its rookie wage scale, teams have seldom traded first-round draft picks during their initial four-year rookie contract or fifth-year option.

When such a trade does take place, it often happens three years into a player’s career, around the time a team must decide whether to pick up the fifth-year option. Occasionally it happens after a player’s fourth year even though the team already had committed to a fifth year, something that would happen if the Buccaneers accommodate a trade request by linebacker Devin White.

Here are the most recent top-five draft picks to be traded before they hit free agency or received a second contract.

Jeff Okudah

Okudah is the most recent entry to this list, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2020 NFL draft. Selected right after Joe Burrow and Chase Young, Okudah battled injuries in Detroit and was the victim of a regime change during his rookie contract. After playing in a career-high 15 games last year, Okudah will get a fresh start with the Falcons.

Baker Mayfield

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, Mayfield appeared to be on his way to becoming the Browns’ franchise quarterback when he led Cleveland to a playoff appearance in 2020. However, he battled injuries in 2021 amid a regression, and the Browns dealt him to Carolina after his fourth season in favor of Deshaun Watson. Mayfield will look to revive his career in Tampa Bay this year.

Sam Darnold

Darnold was the second QB taken and No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft by the Jets, but the USC product could not overcome the ghosts of New York after two promising seasons. The Jets traded Darnold to Carolina after his third season, but the quarterback remained inconsistent on the field. Now in San Francisco, Darnold will play for his fifth head coach and third franchise in his sixth season.

Bradley Chubb

Had the Broncos performed better overall in 2022, Chubb might have remained in Denver. However, because the team disappointed, the Broncos opted to trade the No. 5 pick in the 2018 NFL draft at the trade deadline to restock on draft picks. The pass rusher has totaled at least 7 1/2 sacks in three of his five seasons, and he received a lucrative contract extension shortly after joining the Dolphins.

Jalen Ramsey

The No. 5 pick in the 2016 NFL draft, Ramsey was an immediate star for the Jaguars, helping Jacksonville reach the AFC championship game in 2017. However, friction ensued between Ramsey and the organization, leading Ramsey to request a trade during his fourth season. The Rams capitalized, acquiring Ramsey in 2019 and making him a key piece of their 2022 Super Bowl championship team.