A few numbers:

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5005211_what-average-salary-nfl-players.html 

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/2009/04/25/2009-04-25_myers_staffords_deal_root_of_rookie_contract_debate.html 

What should the top overall draft pick be paid, that is fair to the veterans, the teams, league and to the rookie?

---

$5

---

Whatever the market is willing to pay him. 🙂

---

It is a tough question. I think it is disgusting that some of these rookies are set for life without having done a thing at the pro level. Even though they have worked a long time to get there.

It is going to be hard to set a rookie cap. Should position played matter? I think it should be done like the franchise tag number. Not exact but similar. #1 pick gets a salary 50% of the top 5 starters, then that number gets smaller as it goes.

This is an idea not an exact proposal.

---

I think its great that owners complain about rookies' salaries, when THEY are the ones writing the checks. "God dammitt rookies make too much money! Rabble rabble rabble! Oh, JaMarcus Russell, here's $32 million guaranteed. Matt Stafford, here's $40 million. Rabble rabble rabble!."

That would be like me going to the strip club, tipping the dancers $20 a song, and then bitching because I didn't have any money afterward.

Hilarious.

My beginning guess.

All rookies have a 3 year contract.

The first pick in the draft gets a three million dollar signing bonus.

The last pick in the draft gets a signing bonus equivalent to one year league minimum salary.

The rest of the signing bonuses are scaled accordingly by pick.

The 1st pick in the draft makes 3 million per year.

The last pick in the draft makes league minimum.

All picks in between are scaled accordingly.

RFA after 3. All of them.

Any hold out beyond one week after the draft will cost the equivalent of one week per week in bonus and salary. Team holds rights to any drafted player for full 3 years in the event of an attempted holdout. (The Crabdouche rule :thumbleft: )

+1

he he Thanks, IM

IN CONJUNCTION with my scale...

Presently at 59% of gross to players. Unsustainable from a business standpoint, forget class warfare arguments.

League wants it at approximately 41%

MY plan--- 48% to players 1% to be added to existing player retiree plan.

Reduction in rookie pay will obviously accrue to vets and retirees to that 49% gross figure.

(And NO MORE supplemental revenue sharing. For example, the Vikes can buy a team through FA if they want, but I don't think that Packer fans should have to help fucking PAY for it, PERIOD)

$295,000

---

The average of the 5 lowest salaries at the position they play. No signing bonus until the 2nd year. Make them earn their keep.

---