The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement has made signing rookie contracts into a formality rather than a struggle.
Every player drafted in the first round signs a four-year contract with a fifth-year option, and every player drafted in Rounds 2 through 7 signs a four-year deal. Each draft slot has an amount of money in which the contract can max out, so a player drafted higher always will make more than a player drafted lower. There is some wiggle room on incentive bonuses, but not much.
The Patriots already have signed seven draft picks — first-round draft pick Dominique Easley and second-rounder Jimmy Garoppolo are the only selections left unsigned. ESPN.com’s Field Yates has the contract details on five of those players, and Spotrac.com has the salary information on sixth-round draft pick Jemea Thomas.
Check out the rookie deals below.
Center Bryan Stork
Fourth round, No. 105 overall
Contract: Four years, $2.697 million
Signing bonus/guaranteed money: $477,000
2014 base: $420,000
2015 base: $510,000
2016 base: $600,000
2017 base: $690,000
Running back James White
Fourth round, No. 130 overall
Contract: Four years, $2,617,088
Signing bonus/guaranteed money: $397,088
2014 base: $420,000
2015 base: $510,000
2016 base: $600,000
2017 base: $690,000
Offensive tackle Cameron Fleming
Fourth round, No. 140 overall
Contract: Four years, $2,520,584
Signing bonus/guaranteed money: $300,584
2014 base: $420,000
2015 base: $510,000
2016 base: $600,000
2017 base: $690,000
Defensive end Zach Moore
Sixth round, No. 198 overall
Contract: Four years, $2,322,200
Signing bonus/guaranteed money: $102,200
2014 base: $420,000
2015 base: $510,000
2016 base: $600,000
2017 base: $690,000
Defensive back Jemea Thomas
Sixth round, No. 206 overall
Contract: Four years, $2,312,512
Signing bonus/guaranteed money: $92,512
2014 base: $420,000
2015 base: $510,000
2016 base: $600,000
2017 base: $690,000
Wide receiver Jeremy Gallon
Seventh round, No. 244 overall
Contract: Four years, $2,267,592
Signing bonus/guaranteed money: $47,592
2014 base: $420,000
2015 base: $510,000
2016 base: $600,000
2017 base: $690,000
