ATHENS — Georgia football had seven players selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, and there will be some very rich young men moving forward.
Kirby Smart produces highest number drafted of UGA tenure
Here’s a look at the pre-set rookie wage scale, which is a byproduct of the NFL collective bargaining agreement.
RELATED: Georgia 2020 NFL Draft class will produce record numbers
As much as the numbers are sure to draw interest from fans, they are also worth considering when measuring the risk-reward decisions players have to make when evaluating whether to come back for another year of school.
Deandre Baker, for example, was projected by some to be a second- or third-round pick had he come out in the 2018 NFL Draft.
By returning for his senior season and going No. 30 overall — instead of going in the middle of the second round as a junior, his financial gain was at least $5 million, if not more.
There are other examples of underclassmen turning pro early, only to go undrafted and sign as free agents.
The differences between being a drafted player and free agent are substantial, even if the free agent makes the team
Undrafted players who make the team can only sign three-year deals, and the average signing bonus is $5,000.
Practice squad players make $8,000 per week and $136,000 if they are on the team all 17 games of the season
The 2019 rookie minimum salary, per footbalnextlevel.com, is $495,000 for a rostered player — significantly less than a seventh-rounder who makes the team.
According to the Heavy.com website, for drafted players “all deals are over four years, but first-round picks have a fifth-year option available to teams.”
Rookie wage scale for Georgia players*
(*approximate)
Deandre Baker, $5.6 million signing bonus, $10.5 million contract value
Mecole Hardman, $1.35-$2.33 signing bonus, $4.6-5.9 million value
Riley Ridley, $486,000-$805,0000 signing bonus, $3 million to $3.3 million value
D’Andre Walker, $234,000 to $349,000 bonus, $2.75 million to $2.87 value
Lamont Gaillard, $127,000 to $209,000 bonus, $2.65 million to $2.73 value
Isaac Nauta, $74,000 to $112,000 bonus, $2.59 million to $2.53 value
Terry Godwin, $74,000 to $112,000 bonus, $2.59 million to $2.53 value
Free agent information
Undrafted free agents, $5,000 signing bonus
2019 rookie minimum salary: $495,000
2019 practice squad pay: $136,000 if on all season
2019 NFL Draft coverage
- Holyfield and Ledbetter among UGA free-agent signees
- Rashad Baker goes 30th overall to the New York Giants
- Kansas City Chiefs grab Mecole Hardman in second round
- Riley Ridley fourth-round pick of Chicago Bears
- Tennessee Titans pick up D’Andre Walker in fifth round
- Lamont Gaillard sixth-round choice of Arizona Cardinals
- Detroit Lions find value in Isaac Nauta in seventh round
- Terry Godwin gets picked in seventh round by Carolina Panthers
