Patriots; rookie cap allotment

[Miguel]

The rookie signing cap affects this year's contracts only - teams can stretch out the remainder of the contracts in later years regardless of this year's cap.

In the old CBA there were limits on how much a draft pick's salary could increase during the contract. I have not heard that the new CBA remove those limits.

3. Assuming Jackson works out as a #2 WR (and that's always a question with rookies) - what is Jackson's cap hit and contract looking like compared to say, David Givens.

Barrett Rudd was drafted in Jackson's slot last year. I have been unable to find info on his contract.

My ultimate point here is that, assuming Jackson is as good as BB & Co. believe, we've got a MONSTER net cap savings over the next 5-6 years ... and that savings can go to address other needs and help keep the dynasty going.

Every team who filled in the draft a need caused by a departure of a veteran can say the same thing. Examples - Addai for James, Holmes for ARE, Williams for Stephen Dave

 

[Miguel]

Wait are you saying that there will be no longer RFAs starting with the 2006 draft?

No, teams can still sign draft picks to 3-year deals, if they chose to do so.

Getting Jackson for only 4 years is fine, but don't the Pats get at least top offer a year or 2 after that?

Only if the Pats place the franchise tag on Jackson.

And if another team signs they would get compensated a draft pick depending on tender?

No.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Wait are you saying that there will be no longer RFAs starting with the 2006 draft? Getting Jackson for only 4 years is fine, but don't the Pats get at least top offer a year or 2 after that? And if another team signs they would get compensated a draft pick depending on tender?

RFA's were always only players with 3 years of service whose contract expired. Teams that draft you ultimately control you for up to 4 years via the RFA. Branch signed a 5 year deal - when it's done he will be a UFA without ever being an RFA because he was under contract beyond year 4. Givens signed a 3 year deal. When it was done (after 2004) the team still had the option to tender him as a RFA to retain him for that 4th season (or get the pick that went with his tender from a team that was willing to match that offer). A player like Givens finally saw some compensation relief in that way because his value to us had to be acknowledged by using a mid tender (which carries a 1st round pick as compensation and a 7 figure salary) to ward off suitors as opposed to the low tender which would have allowed any team that wanted him to match for just his standard 6 figure 4th year salary and a 7th round compensation pick compensation in return.

Apparently the union wanted and got with the new CBA an earlier FA date for those who sometimes got stuck in bad 5 year deals - generally 2nd and 3rd or later rounders who substantially outperformed rookie deals that often included relatively small signing bonuses and 6 figure minimum salaries through year 5. They will all now be free to persue the all important second contract in year 5 as UFA's, and all their team will get if they sign elsewhere is the potential of the formula based comp pick that weighs their performance and the value of the deal they get elsewhere but is offset by comparable FA signings by the team during that off season.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Quote: My ultimate point here is that, assuming Jackson is as good as BB & Co. believe, we've got a MONSTER net cap savings over the next 5-6 years ... and that savings can go to address other needs and help keep the dynasty going.


Every team who filled in the draft a need caused by a departure of a veteran can say the same thing. Examples - Addai for James, Holmes for ARE, Williams for Stephen Dave

Well, yes but there is a difference in drafting a starting OL at 21 - and drafting a staring WR or RB.

O Linemen are part of a squad and generally don't earn as much as starting RBs and WRs - the premier positions.


Sure all rookies earn less than FAs but the distinction at a position like OL isn't as great as it is for rookies and FAs playing positions like WR & RB

In other words - what's the average FA price for starting OL and what's the average FA price for starting WRs

If the Pats addressed #2 WR with Jackson they saved themselves a TON of money compared to what they were prepared to offer Givens

 

[spacecrime]

Apparently the union wanted and got with the new CBA an earlier FA date for those who sometimes got stuck in bad 5 year deals - generally 2nd and 3rd or later rounders who substantially outperformed rookie deals that often included relatively small signing bonuses and 6 figure minimum salaries through year 5. They will all now be free to persue the all important second contract in year 5 as UFA's, and all their team will get if they sign elsewhere is the potential of the formula based comp pick that weighs their performance and the value of the deal they get elsewhere but is offset by comparable FA signings by the team during that off season.

Will this affect Watson? Didn't he sign for 6 years?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The new CBA only effects deals that come after it.

 

[Miguel]

Well, yes

We will agree on this.

In other words - what's the average FA price for starting OL and what's the average FA price for starting WRs

Because an elite left tackle never actually reach the free agent market, this question is misleading because the top OL are typically left tackles. I am not interested in this to do the research. Please feel free to do so.

If the Pats addressed #2 WR with Jackson they saved themselves a TON of money compared to what they were prepared to offer Givens

I am not disagreeing with this. I am just opining that the cap savings does not give the Pats any competitive edge since every team saves money when a draft pick replaces a departed free agent.