A record high 56 underclassmen declare for the draft

[Patspsycho]

NFL Draft early entries list | ProFootballTalk

 

[RobertWeathers]

Thought I heard that this draft was going to be pretty thin but this report offers a different take.

Seeing that the team has 6 picks in the first 3 rounds, that seems to give them a stronger change to get high-quality players.

 

[Dufflebagz]

That's strange considering the uncertainty of next season.

 

[WhiZa]

That's strange considering the uncertainty of next season.

I was thinking the same thing. Made sense last year when they would have gotten at least 1 year's pay check.

 

[Rob0729]

Underclassmen are gambling that there is no CBA resolution and both sides agree to extend the 2010 rules into 2011 or if there is a new CBA, the rookie cap won't be implemented until 2012. The problem is for them that they have to declare before it is known if there will be a resolution or if there is a resolution that there will be a rookie cap right off the bat.

If they stayed in school and there was no rookie cap until 2012, the first rounders could have cost themselves millions. If there is no football in 2011, they will be paid as much as they would have if they stayed in school. The risk of missing the last class of rookies without a rookie cap is far greater than getting drafted and having to sit for a year.

 

[DaBruinz]

56 is not a record high.. There were 75 each of the last 2 years.

 

[mgteich]

So you think that they should have stayed in school and received ZERO for 2011, and risked injury?

They are hoping to have a chance at the last draft without a rookie wage schedule. This is especially important for anyone who might be drafted in the top 20.

Yes, they could end up on the bench while vets play a partial season, but at least they would be making some revenue this year. For example, they would all get thir bonuses when they are signed.

But you are right, some counseled to accept nothing and go back to school, hope for no injuries, and for a higher place in the draft next year. In the end, the choice is for the player. He has so many years of football in his body. He can choose to pass up a year of revenue or not. It is very unlikely that the money is ever made up. HOPWEVER, there are players who think much too much of themselves and would indeed be drafted much higher if they stay in school and get more experience. That is why the nfl has the evaluation process before decisions are made.

That's strange considering the uncertainty of next season.

 

[ATippett56]

Underclassmen are gambling that there is no CBA resolution and both sides agree to extend the 2010 rules into 2011 or if there is a new CBA, the rookie cap won't be implemented until 2012. The problem is for them that they have to declare before it is known if there will be a resolution or if there is a resolution that there will be a rookie cap right off the bat.

If they stayed in school and there was no rookie cap until 2012, the first rounders could have cost themselves millions. If there is no football in 2011, they will be paid as much as they would have if they stayed in school. The risk of missing the last class of rookies without a rookie cap is far greater than getting drafted and having to sit for a year.

One thing is sure, there will be a rookie salary cap in 2012! The owners will not let go that bargaining chip with regard to the continuation of the CBA negotiations!

 

[mgteich]

There is a rookie cap now. That is not the issue.

I think you mean that there will be a rookie wage schedule for 2012, with minimums and caps for each pick.

While I agree that this is essential for the owners, I think that it is only essential for the first half of the first round of each draft. Compensation levels certainly are not a problem for the second round a beyond. One can argue either way with regard to the need for a schedule for 16-32.

One thing is sure, there will be a rookie salary cap in 2012! The owners will not let go that bargaining chip with regard to the continuation of the CBA negotiations!

 

[Rob0729]

56 is not a record high.. There were 75 each of the last 2 years.

According to the PFT article, there were only 53 last year which was the record until this year. I don't know if they are right, but you would hope they would look it up before they write it. But we are talking PFT (granted Michael David Smith and not Mike Florio wrote the article).

 

[plk]

56 is not a record high.. There were 75 each of the last 2 years.

I don't have an opinion about how many underclassmen declared for the draft in the last two years, but I did look through a list that appeared to be final for 2010, and it seemed to be closer to 40 something than to 70 something. Is there a reference for 75 each year figure?

Whether this year is a record or not matters in so far as it is an indication of the strength of the draft.

Update: I googled it again and a whole bunch of sources come up with the "53" figure for last year that the previous poster mentioned. That does not mean that the figure is correct; they may all be quoting the same incorrect source.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

This year's senior class being so weak likely helped the prognosis for players entering early this year as well.

So the 2011 class was weak to begin with, it was raided last year by early entries, and now may contribute only a handfull of high picks, in part causing more juniors to fill the void.

 

[WhiZa]

So you think that they should have stayed in school and received ZERO for 2011, and risked injury?

They are hoping to have a chance at the last draft without a rookie wage schedule. This is especially important for anyone who might be drafted in the top 20.

Yes, they could end up on the bench while vets play a partial season, but at least they would be making some revenue this year. For example, they would all get thir bonuses when they are signed.

But you are right, some counseled to accept nothing and go back to school, hope for no injuries, and for a higher place in the draft next year. In the end, the choice is for the player. He has so many years of football in his body. He can choose to pass up a year of revenue or not. It is very unlikely that the money is ever made up. HOPWEVER, there are players who think much too much of themselves and would indeed be drafted much higher if they stay in school and get more experience. That is why the nfl has the evaluation process before decisions are made.

What do you mean partial season? I thought the draft was the last activity under the current CBA.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

What do you mean partial season? I thought the draft was the last activity under the current CBA.

I'm guessing that the one possibility is that the owners declare an impasse, imposing their last offer, then the ball in the players' court to accept it, fight in court, or walk out.

They wouldn't walk out until the regular season starts because that's when the owners make their money. A court ruling in their favor could also take months. In either scenario the season starts, gets shut down, then resumes after a "real" agreement.

God I hope they just get their $heet together and the billionaires keep being billionaires, the millionaires keep being millionaires, and we keep having football with no interruption.

 

[WhiZa]

I'm guessing that the one possibility is that the owners declare an impasse, imposing their last offer, then the ball in the players' court to accept it, fight in court, or walk out.

They wouldn't walk out until the regular season starts because that's when the owners make their money. A court ruling in their favor could also take months. In either scenario the season starts, gets shut down, then resumes after a "real" agreement.

God I hope they just get their $heet together and the billionaires keep being billionaires, the millionaires keep being millionaires, and we keep having football with no interruption.

That could be true but I think a college football player would need facts before making such a big decision in their lives. If I were a underclassman and I wasn't sure if I would even get paid next year then I probably wouldn't declare. Instead do the right thing for your future and get the college degree.