This year’s 250-plus draft picks have been officially welcomed to the family. And they’ll quickly be expected to do some chores. Without much of an allowance.
Now that they have teams, the draft picks will be absorbed into minicamps and offseason programs, regardless of whether they sign their first NFL contracts. In past years, few if any draft picks signed before July 4. Now, most will sign before Memorial Day weekend.
All should insist on being signed -- and thus employed -- before doing anything that would resemble work.
Yes, draft picks can (and will) sign letters of protection, ensuring that they’ll be paid in 2016 what they would have made if they end up suffering a serious injury. Regardless, there’s an overriding principle at work here. The draft picks are expected to show up, practice, participate in meetings, and begin getting to know their playbook. Why shouldn’t they have the same status as everyone else on the team?
Indeed, but for the draft picks, everyone else has a contract. Including the undrafted rookies (other than the ones who will show up for minicamp on a tryout basis). Why not sign all draft picks now, before they step foot into the weight room or onto the practice field?
Some teams (like the Bears) will quickly commence signing draft picks. Others (like the Rams) will wait until the offseason program has ended. Regardless, each draft pick should insist on having a contract before doing anything.
This isn’t something that will originate with the players. Their agents need to be the ones taking a stand. Quietly, some already are. Until enough do the same, players will continue to provide more of the same unpaid services that they provided for the last several years in college.
At least in college they got room, board, tuition, and snacks.