Dolphins make fifth-year option decision on Austin Jackson, Noah Igbinoghene

The Dolphins picked up quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s fifth-year option back in March and have now made a decision for their other 2020 first-round picks.

Miami is declining the fifth-year option for offensive tackle Austin Jackson and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, a league source confirmed to the Miami Herald, paving the way for both to become unrestricted free agents after the 2023 season.

The Dolphins’ 2020 draft class was expected to be the bedrock of the franchise’s rebuild, headlined by the team’s three first-rounders. But while Tagovailoa overcame early-career struggles to have a breakout year in 2022, Jackson and Igbinoghene are at a bit of a crossroads entering their fourth season.

Jackson, the No. 18 overall pick in 2020, has started 30 games in three seasons but has struggled through stretches and injuries have stunted his development. The 23-year-old Jackson started 13 games at left tackle as a rookie before moving to left guard for the majority of 2021. After the Dolphins signed Terron Armstead in the 2022 offseason, Jackson moved to right tackle but he missed all but two games because of a pair of ankle injuries.

Dolphins decision-makers have voiced their confidence in Jackson, though. General manager Chris Grier said last month that the “expectation” is that Jackson will start at right tackle. Miami has also been searching for veteran additions to the offensive line, most recently hosting former Denver Bronco Cameron Fleming on a visit.

Igbinoghene, 23, has appeared in 32 games since the Dolphins selected him with the No. 30 overall pick. He was pressed into action early as a rookie after injuries and made two starts but struggled in games against the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks. In 2021, Igbinoghene played in seven games (one start) and was a frequent healthy scratch on game days. He made two starts in 2022 and recorded a game-sealing interception, his first-career pick, against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But even with myriad injuries to the cornerback room, Igbinoghene only appeared in nine games.

Igbinoghene’s standing on the 53-man roster is seemingly in question after the Dolphins traded for Jalen Ramsey and selected Cam Smith in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft this offseason. The team would face a $3 million dead cap hit with about $500,000 in cap savings if it releases Igbinoghene after June 1. Miami would save about $2.1 million and incur a $1.4 million dead cap hit with a post-June 1 trade.

Picking up a player’s fifth-year option fully guarantees their 2024 base salary and any part of the fourth-year base salary that was not already guaranteed. That would have been about $14.2 million for Jackson in 2024 and $11.5 million for Igbinoghene.

Tagovailoa is scheduled to make about $23.2 million in 2024.

ESPN first reported the Dolphins were not exercising the fifth-year options.