The standard NFL contract for a drafted rookie covers the first four years of his career. Unless they were selected in the first round — then it might be a little bit longer.
The league’s current collective bargaining agreement has a built-in fifth-year team option for every first-round pick. For some franchises, it’s a no-brainer decision that keeps a talented star on the roster at a reasonable price. For others it’s a tough call between what could be a slight overpay for a solid, if unspectacular contributor. And others don’t have to worry about it, because they drafted a bust they’d released a year ago.
