NFL Rookie Contract Scale
What a draft slot is worth. Rookie contracts are set by a formula in the collective bargaining agreement, so these values move with the salary cap rather than with negotiation. Averages are the total value of the deal signed out of the draft.
Average rookie deal by round
| Round | 2011 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | $14.9M | $17.9M | $18.4M | $18.8M | $19.3M | $20.0M | $24.3M | $28.2M | 88% |
| Round 2 | $4.09M | $6.79M | $7.10M | $7.39M | $7.67M | $8.05M | $9.25M | $10.4M | 153% |
| Round 3 | $2.76M | $4.57M | $4.93M | $5.15M | $5.49M | $5.80M | $6.41M | $7.00M | 154% |
| Round 4 | $2.49M | $3.98M | $4.17M | $4.37M | $4.58M | $4.78M | $5.15M | $5.47M | 120% |
| Round 5 | $2.23M | $3.60M | $3.78M | $3.97M | $4.14M | $4.34M | $4.60M | $4.85M | 117% |
| Round 6 | $2.14M | $3.47M | $3.64M | $3.83M | $4.01M | $4.12M | $4.42M | $4.65M | 117% |
| Round 7 | $2.09M | $3.38M | $3.57M | $3.75M | $3.93M | $4.12M | $4.32M | $4.52M | 116% |
Change compares 2026 with 2011.