[teejers1]

I hope those who don't catch on in the NFL either graduate early or go back to school to graduate.

The trend is unmistakable, and I think a bit of an unforseen consequence of the rookie wage scale.  Back before the wage scale, there was a big advantage to being in the first round and early in the first round because of the outsized contracts that early picks got.  Thus, there was a strong incentive to only leave early if you were an elite player, and otherwise there was a strong incentive to come back and improve your draft position.  With the rookie wage scale, the gradient between early and later picks flattened out, and while you might think that would disincentivize top player from leaving early, the outsized contracts come at the second contract.  Thus, there is an incentive to leave as soon as possible, regardless of position, and prove oneself in the NFL rather than in college to maximize that second contract.

BC

For the umpteenth time:  2-year rookie deals, max, and a lot of problems are solved.

I mean, sort of. Lots of players don't fully pan out within two years and need the extra time to develop. Two year contracts would probably cause more guys to wash out. It might actually accelerate this trend, it's really hard to say in advance.

If a draft pick - especially a lower to mid rounder - doesn't pan out in 2 years, they're cut.  There are no guaranteed contracts; thus, no incentive for teams to keep those struggling.  OTOH, those that do succeed will get out from under the Team's Iron-Fisted control earlier, meaning they can get market rate for their services (like Martinez should have been getting the last couple seasons).  Also, if the "first contract" is only 2 years, then there isn't as much urgency to leave early and get through it, to the second NFL contract.

The 4-5 year team control over drafted players is bad all the way around . . . except for greedy owners, who are already guaranteed to make millions in profits.

[teejers1]

I hope those who don't catch on in the NFL either graduate early or go back to school to graduate.

The trend is unmistakable, and I think a bit of an unforseen consequence of the rookie wage scale.  Back before the wage scale, there was a big advantage to being in the first round and early in the first round because of the outsized contracts that early picks got.  Thus, there was a strong incentive to only leave early if you were an elite player, and otherwise there was a strong incentive to come back and improve your draft position.  With the rookie wage scale, the gradient between early and later picks flattened out, and while you might think that would disincentivize top player from leaving early, the outsized contracts come at the second contract.  Thus, there is an incentive to leave as soon as possible, regardless of position, and prove oneself in the NFL rather than in college to maximize that second contract.

BC

For the umpteenth time:  2-year rookie deals, max, and a lot of problems are solved.

I mean, sort of. Lots of players don't fully pan out within two years and need the extra time to develop. Two year contracts would probably cause more guys to wash out. It might actually accelerate this trend, it's really hard to say in advance.

If a draft pick - especially a lower to mid rounder - doesn't pan out in 2 years, they're cut.  There are no guaranteed contracts; thus, no incentive for teams to keep those struggling.  OTOH, those that do succeed will get out from under the Team's Iron-Fisted control earlier, meaning they can get market rate for their services (like Martinez should have been getting the last couple seasons).  Also, if the "first contract" is only 2 years, then there isn't as much urgency to leave early and get through it, to the second NFL contract.

The 4-5 year team control over drafted players is bad all the way around . . . except for greedy owners, who are already guaranteed to make millions in profits.