Los Angeles Rams Exercise Fifth-Year Options On WR Tavon Austin, OLB Alec Ogletree

The Los Angeles Rams have picked up the fifth-year contract options from both of their two 2013 NFL Draft first-round selections, WR Tavon Austin and OLB Alec Ogletree:

The #Rams have picked up the fifth-year options for WR Tavon Austin & LB Alec Ogletree, sources say

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 2, 2016

Previewing the picks not too long ago, I pointed out the price tag for each:

• WR Tavon Austin: $12,268,000
• OLB Alec Ogletree: $8,369,000

The real risk is perhaps best exemplified by a player the Rams decided not to exercise the fifth-year option for: S Mark Barron.

Barron, who came over in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in late October of 2014, did not have his fifth contract year (the upcoming season) exercised; the Rams did though opt for the fifth year for DT Michael Brockers however.

Barron proved to be a plus contributor in 2015 leading the Rams to re-sign him to a much more lucrative long-term deal when free agency opened back in March.

So for the Rams, it's an opportunity to hold on to two players at perhaps a discount if they excel. If they don't, it's a hefty price to pay to lock them in for the next two seasons.

At least for now, the Rams don't have to worry about Austin or Ogletree leaving town for the next two years.