What do you think of this rookie cap idea

[Poeticlaw]

I for one am glad that Goodell is proposing a rookie salary cap. I have been proposing this for years and the players association should be onboard with this one as well because its the veteran players getting cut for these unproven rookies big salaries. Not to mention how their salaries hinder the team that its not working out for.

 

My proposal:

First round picks only First Year regardless of position

Top 10 pick -7.5 mil GUARENTEED 1 year contract-

11-21- 5.0 mil GUARENTEED 1 year contract

21-32- 2.5 mil GUARENTEED 1 year contract

 

2nd Year: Players are exclusive rights to their current teams and can be tendered an offer equal to the amount of the first year or negiote a long term deal. Player is not allowed to hold out in first or second year as the player is trying to prove their worth to the current or prospective teams. If playered not tendered an offer or traded then the player becomes a free agent.

 

3rd Year: Team must commit to long term contract or the player is a free agent. The player cannot be traded without a long term contract from the team the player is being traded to and with the consent of the player. The player is considered a free agent if longterm contract isn ot in place by the beginning of free agency.

 

The remaining rounds will continue the way it has been done before as well as undrafted free agents.

[Thoner7]

I agree, the owners and current players should both be in favor as it saves owners money and creates more cap room for vets to make even more money.

 

I dont like your proposal though, one year contracts with just exclusive rights for only one year gives the rookie too much leverage to leave the team that drafted him for a more successful or home town team he wants to play for. I would like to see a system designed more like the franchise tag is designed. Just like they average the top 5 salaries at a position for the franchise tag, they should average say the 10-20th highest salaries at a given position for the top ten picks, average the 20th-30th highest salaries for the 10-20 picks and so on. The rookies contract should not be able to exceed the averaged figure in the first year, and be restricted to grow say 10% per year for the following years (the NFL has some rule like this in place about the growing $ to be paid per year, that is why Jason Browns contract was voided recently). Just as the rookie market works now, if the QB drafted 1st overall, they would get the max money allowed, but then a QB drafted say 10th would get less and so on as that player was drafted later. This way allows teams to lock up rookies long term, for a cheap prices. It would also allow teams to free up cap space over the years (because of cheaper rookies) and thus be able to pay players who proved themselfs more money with their second contracts.