Friday represents the final day the Green Bay Packers can exercise their fifth year-option on 2011 first round draft choice Derek Sherrod.

As part of the NFL's most recent collective bargaining agreement from 2011 that significantly capped the money that could be spent on rookies entering the league, a concession was made on first round picks.

All contracts for players drafted into the NFL are four-year deals subject to a rookie wage scale with only bonuses left open to negotiation.

For first round picks, all teams have the option of exercising a fifth year that must be executed prior to May 3 entering their fourth year.

A formula exists for players selected with the 11th through 32nd picks, where Sherrod was selected (32nd overall), that would pay them the average of the salaries paid to the player ranked third through 25th at their respective position.

After suffering a dibilitating injury in which he fractured both his tibia and fibula in December of 2011, the Packers are not expected to exercise such an option on Sherrod.

Sherrod spent the entire 2012 season on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) and finally made a comeback midway through last season, seeing action in seven games, primarily on special teams.

If the Packers do not exercise the fifth-year option, Sherrod he will become a free agent following the 2014 season. The offensive lineman out of Mississippi State would appear to be entering a make-it or break-it season that will help to determine his future.

Finding playing time will not come easy as Sherrod will find competition at both tackle positions between the likes of David Bakhtiari on the left side and Bryan Bulaga on the right.

Photo: Packers offensive lineman Derek Sherrod by Brian Carriveau.