Rookie Pool

**tornadospotter** · 05-07-2008, 09:31 PM

Chiefs get largest rookie pool to pay draft picks

By John Clayton
ESPN.com
(Archive)

Updated: May 7, 2008, 6:58 PM ET

Jump In The Pool

The Chiefs were lauded for their draft, and they will get the most rookie pool money to pay those players. Here's the breakdown:

TeamPicksPoolKC 12 $8,221,790 ATL 11 $7,918,670 MIA 9 $6,538,400 STL 8 $5,997,510 CHI 12 $5,791,190 CIN 10 $5,555,750 CAR 9 $5,371,570 BUF 10 $5,351,820 BAL 10 $5,045,770 NYJ 6 $4,903,030 DEN 9 $4,877,060 DET 9 $4,815,910 WAS 10 $4,543,890 NE 7 $4,344,990 NO 6 $4,295,240 PHI 10 $4,256,320 OAK 5 $4,119,700 DAL 6 $4,095,120 GB 9 $4,076,190 ARI 7 $3,919,230 TEN 7 $3,822,960 JAX 5 $3,721,960 PIT 7 $3,719,450 TB 7 $3,699,370 SEA 7 $3,674,960 NYG 7 $3,521,820 HOU 6 $3,477,820 SF 6 $3,413,020 IND 9 $3,305,300 SD 5 $2,627,940 MIN 5 $2,055,780 CLE 5 $1,789,980
According to numerous experts, the Kansas City Chiefs had the best draft. Now, they have to pay for those players.
The Chiefs received the highest rookie pool numbers by the NFL, a source said on Wednesday. With 12 draft choices -- two first-rounders taken in the top 15 -- the Chiefs have a rookie pool of $8,221,790, tops in the league. Not only do they have two first-rounders to sign, but they have a second and three thirds.
Even though agents and teams get around the rookie pool with contract escalators, post first-year option bonuses and one-time incentives, the rookie pool was created to somehow slot the signings of draft choices by the position they were selected. Each selection in the draft is given a value, which is a predetermined cap number. All rookies, including undrafted rookies, have to fit within the assigned rookie pool.
The Atlanta Falcons ended up with the second highest total at $7,918,670. They had four selections among the first 68 picks, including two first-rounders. They had six picks in the first 98.
The Miami Dolphins signed Michigan tackle Jake Long to a five-year, $57.75 million deal that had a $3 million cap number. That contract left $3.538,400 for the other eight draft choices, which include two seconds and a third.
The lowest total went to the Cleveland Browns, who had only five choices, none in the first three rounds. Their rookie pool is only $1.789,980 million.
With the fifth overall pick, the Chiefs took LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, who some had proclaimed the best player in the 2008 draft.
The Chiefs followed that up by taking Virginia offensive lineman Branden Albert of Virginia with the 15th overall selection. They likely will plug him in at tackle.
In the second round, the Chiefs went back to defense with Virginia Tech cornerback Brandon Flowers and picked up Texas running back Jamaal Charles in the third round.

What does this mean for us?

**royalswin100games** · 05-08-2008, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by tornadospotter

That would be good!

Yes, very good but Dorsey, Albert, and Flowers will not be cheap and we will be paying them before they even prove themselves.

The guaranteed money is the key.

**rbedgood** · 05-08-2008, 12:45 AM

Albert and Dorsey will earn their pay...Flowers should be good, but often times hard hitting corners in college become safeties more than corners in the NFL. Time will tell, although as a 2nd round pick his salary should be justifiable at either position.

**royalswin100games** · 05-08-2008, 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by rbedgood

Albert and Dorsey will earn their pay...Flowers should be good, but often times hard hitting corners in college become safeties more than corners in the NFL. Time will tell, although as a 2nd round pick his salary should be justifiable at either position.

Will Albert earn his pay at tackle though?