Carolina Panthers pick up Star Lotulelei's 2017 option

Carolina Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman picked up the fifth-year option for defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, who is now bound to the franchise through the 2017 season.

Lotulelei, a first-round pick in 2013 out of Utah, started 14 games last season and is described by Gettleman as a difference-maker in the middle of the Panthers' defensive line.

"Star has not disappointed by any stretch of the imagination, and he's getting better," Gettleman said. "He's earned this. I'm excited we're going to have him around for two more years."

The Panthers have a pair of standout defensive tackles. Kawann Short was Gettleman's second-round pick out of Purdue in 2013 and can become a free agent after this season. Carolina does not have the luxury of a team option because of Short's draft slot. He was a first-time Pro Bowl pick in 2015.

Lotulelei will earn $6.757 million in 2017 under the terms of his fifth-year team option, which is automatic for first-round picks under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. For picks 11-32 in the first round, the fifth-year salary is the average of the third- through 25th-highest salaries at a player's position.

Lotulelei was drafted one spot after Missouri defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson. Two defensive linemen were drafted in the top five -- the Dolphins took Oregon's Dion Jordan second overall and Ziggy Ansah was the fifth pick in the draft (Detroit Lions).