First-round draft picks seeking big money
Rookie contracts are always a big deal in the NFL as teams wish to sign their draft picks as early as possible and start training camp with their new talent. But during the last week of July and the first week of August, rookies are quickly learning the business aspect of professional football and are trying to get the most money possible by signing a big contract.
Sam Bradford signs with Rams
The top overall pick in this year’s draft signed a six-year, $78 million contract with $50 million in guaranted money, Saturday afternoon.
The former University of Oklahoma star was absent for the first day of rookie workouts on Thursday, but was finally able to join his team for the first full-squad workout in shorts and light pads on Sunday, after the deal was completed and his signature was on the dotted line.
The former Heisman Trophy winner removed his name from the 2010 unsigned list and joined fellow quarterbacks Tim Tebow who signed his contract after Thursday’s workouts and Jimmy Clausen who signed a four-year contract on Wednesday.
Teams are looking for that perfect fit or last piece of the puzzle – or in the Rams’ case the first piece in their rebuilding phase – that will untimely propel them to the next level. They got their man and expect Bradford to start as centre for the Rams at some point during the 2010 season.
Gerald McCoy is officially a Buccaneer
First-round draft pick Gerald McCoy agreed to terms of a five-year contract with Tampa Bay on Saturday. The former Sooner standout will receive $35 million in guaranteed money of his five-year, $63 million contract.
Arguably the best in the Sooners history at stuffing the run and controlling the line of scrimmage, McCoy will immediately improve the Bucs defensive unit along with his team’s 3-13 season.
Top running back in the draft remains unsigned
Other running backs have signed contracts with their respective clubs but Buffalo’s CJ Spiller, selected ninth overall, is not one of those guys. The former Clemson running back Spiller, who was clocked with the second fastest time at this year’s rookie combine in March, has yet to reach an agreement with Buffalo.
The Bills have their starting running back in Fred Jackson, but Spiller adds another dimension to Buffalo’s ground game. The rookie has breakaway speed and can be a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Look for his new team to find ways to get him the ball in open space and let him run wild. That is the game plan, but the Bills will have to wait to see that elusive style of running that ultimately made them draft the speeder.
Mathews signs contract
San Diego’s Ryan Mathews, selected 12th overall, reached an agreement with his new team on Sunday night. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the deal is for $26.65 million, with $15 million in guaranteed money. Mathews will be the running back under the most scrutiny in this year’s draft simply because he is the man who will replace future Hall-of-Famer, LaDainian Tomlinson, in the backfield. The Chargers are banking that he will resuscitate their ground game and provide their offence with a more balanced attack.
Of the 32 first-round picks in the 2010 NFL Draft, 7 players remain unsigned.
Other notables
Trent Williams, Washington’s fourth pick, signed a six-year deal worth $60 million.
Kansas City Chief signed safety Eric Berry to a six-year contract worth $60 million.
Seattle Seahawks have yet to ink a deal with the sixth overall pick Russel Okuno. He still remains unsigned.
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