A thought occurred to me. Last year, the Dolphins proceeded to negotiate a contract for Jake Long to sign before the draft, bypassing the potential for holdouts while a contract is usually finalised during training camp. If pre-draft contracts are allowed, why do teams not negotiate with a player they want, who would likely land further down the ladder, for a reasonable salary as IF they traded down picks?
For example, and ignoring the fact that this is an unrealistic assumption for a minute, propose that the Lions decide they prefer Mark Sanchez instead to QB. However, Sanchez is projected as mid 1st round pick. Since nobody wants to trade down with the Lions, they would be stuck paying 1st overall salary, would they not? Why not arrange Sanchez to sign a contract worthy, of, say, the number 10 pick in the draft, and proceed to select him 1st overall?
Is there a rule preventing teams who do not hold the first overall pick from contacting and arranging contracts prior to the draft? I'm assuming there would be, since another team may proceed to draft the signed rookie prior to the team who signed him, gets to pick him.