NFL Rookies get paid like Trump....well almost.

My Denver Broncos signed 7 of their 10 rookie draft picks today! There are still three more to get signed before rookie camp including first round draft pick Bradley Chubb. In the NFL all 32 teams have a yearly “salary cap” to work with that is equal for all teams. This system keeps the big market teams from having a large advantage over the others with an owner that is filthy rich on the filthy rich scale. Most all rookie contracts in the NFL are four year deals but often the first rounders have a fifth year option that a team may pick up.

According to 9News in Denver, this is how the money was distributed to this years draft class:

Rd … Player …………. Signing Bonus ….. Total value

1. Courtland Sutton .........… $3,055,948 …… $6,841,929

2. Josey Jewell ………....…… $713,984 …… $3,173,984

3. DaeSean Hamilton …......... $682,640 …... $3,142,640

4. Troy Fumagalli ………......... $281,804 ..…. $2,741,804

5. Sam Jones ………….....….. $168,556 ….…$2,628,556

6. Keishawn Bierria......... …… $118,408 ….... $2,580,868

7. David Williams …….......…... $93,980 ….… $2,553,980

There are exceptions but for the most part, players drafted in rounds 4 through 7 get their signing bonuses, plus minimum salaries of $480,000 in 2018; $570,000 in 2019; $660,000 in 2020 and $750,000 in 2021.

For big time players this is the first chance in life to really break the bank and go for a Hail Mary money grab. It’s also the scariest time on the organization for some of the top picks. You see, the only GUARANTEED money a player gets is the signing bonus when the contract is inked. That leaves a lot of uncertainty for an owner who pays big money up front and does not get the production of the field that they paid for.

Take Johnny Manziel for instance. The Browns paid him a lot of guaranteed money up front and even though he played and won a couple games for the team, he was out of the league very quickly and still got to keep the money! Man I sure wish it was that way down at my job.

The Broncos hope to have Chubb signed before the rookie minicamp adjourns following a Mother’s Day brunch Sunday morning. Freeman and Yiadom may take another week as third-round selections get to negotiate base salaries in years 2, 3 and 4 of their deals. As you can clearly see, draft order is VERY important to a player because the higher you are drafted the more leverage you get to exercise when negotiating your deal with the team. In a world where serious injuries are prevalent, a player is focused on getting a good deal but more importantly to get the most upfront guaranteed money they can scoop up. Any play and any day......it might be your last in the NFL.

Good luck Boys....Go Broncos!