One of the stranger aspects of a quieter-than-expected Tuesday: We saw only three rookie draft pick deals completed, and two of those contracts came from the Bucs.
Tampa G.M. Mark Dominik also became the first decision maker to close a deal with a first-round pick early. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that No. 20 overall pick Adrian Clayborn agreed to a contract early Wednesday morning. Clayborn is the highest pick to agree to a deal.
We anticipate an avalanche of other rookie signings in the coming days as teams get used to the new CBA rules and sort out their other free agency moves.
Then again, it’s possible some teams will put rookie deals on hold for a bit. It’s not like the kids have the option to go elsewhere.