The Denver Broncos haven't signed any of their draft picks yet, but based on the traction a lot of teams have already seen to that end, that will soon change. Here are rookie contract estimates, via OverTheCap.com, along with a Broncos veteran contract comparison with someone they are expected to compete against.
All of these are four-year deals.
CB Bradley Roby: $6,952,528
Average per year: $1.73 million
Veteran comparison: Chris Harris Jr. will make $2.187 million in 2014
WR Cody Latimer: $3,708,650
Average per year: $927K
Veteran comparison: Emmanuel Sanders will make $4 million in 2014; Andre Caldwell will net $1.15 million.
OT Michael Schofield: $2,761,200
Average per year: $690K
Veteran comparison: Orlando Franklin will get paid $1.38 million in 2014, and Chris Clark will make $2.12 million. Backup tackle Winston Justice will make $1.13 million.
LB Lamin Barrow: $2,411,160
Average per year: $602K
Veteran comparison: Nate Irving will be a $818K cap hit this year.
C Matt Paradis: $2,311,000
Average per year: $577K
Veteran comparison: Will Montgomery will cost $1.92 against the cap in 2014.
LB Corey Nelson: $2,268,600
Average per year: $567K
Veteran comparison: Danny Trevathan will make a mere $596K in 2014.
Total Rookie 2014 Cap Hit: $3,831,386
Broncos rookies can expect to get around $5.2 million in signing bonuses in the days and weeks ahead, along with contracts totaling over $20 million.
That should help pay the bills, especially if Peyton Manning gets creative again this offseason.