Rookie Bonuses
 

What are everyone's thoughts on the rookie bonus system?

I mean, rules are rules, and we all play by the same rules, but it seems like it puts way more importance on finding steals in free agency than drafting well. That seems upside down to me.

Not entirely sure what we could do about it, but it seems out of whack.

For example, Tee Higgins and D'Andre Swift are still getting bonuses, and they were drafted back when COVID was a brand new. I mean, 6/7 of the rookies in the NFL aren't even getting 5 years of bonuses on their rookie deals. Even if they go in the first round, it's just a 5 year option.

I think it would work better if the amounts were less and/or if we did it for fewer years. That obviously wouldn't be for this year (I don't think), and it's a massive change, but what we're doing now doesn't seem right. The only way I can think that the current system makes sense is if we applied the same logic to free agents.

Re: Rookie Bonuses
 

I'd definitely be in favor of 3-4 years for rookie bonuses, just like the NFL does it now and then just the 10% bump for year 4/5. That 5th year does get pretty pricey.

Re: Rookie Bonuses
 

Tee Higgins and D'Andre Swift are not getting rookie bonuses. Higgins was renegotiated and going into year 6. Swift was dropped prior to rollover.

Re: Rookie Bonuses
 

Rookie bonuses only apply to years 2-5. After year 5, they stop so really rookies only go through 4 rounds of rookie bonuses at most. They also max out a specific point if they turn out to be studs. I personally think the bonuses are set up nicely.

Re: Rookie Bonuses
 

Example: Ja'Marr Chase was drafted 1.01 in 2021 draft.

2021 - 400cbs/5yrs (1.01 draft pick)
2022 - 1040cbs/4yr (#4 WR in 2021 = 600cbs rookie bonus)
2023 - 1544cbs/3yrs (#12 WR in 2022 = 400cbs rookie bonus)
2024 - 1800cbs/2yrs (#11 WR in 2023 = 400cbs rookie bonus but only 102 applies due to 1800max)
2025 - 2310cbs/4rs (renegotiated end of 2024 and already maxed out)

If anything, I'd rather evaluate an increase in WR max values. I know we bumped WR RFA values a while back...maybe we should have bumped WR rookie max so that it's more in line with RFA/Rookie bonuses of other positions...hmm...

Re: Rookie Bonuses
 

I have never been a big fan of the rookie bonuses - I wouldn't mind seeing then years decreased to maybe 2 years of bonuses.

Just seems unjust when you have players whose salary more than doubles due to rookie bonus (Ladd McConkey on my squad).
I suppose he is still a value at his current salary, but Chiceaux makes a valid point, kind of deflates the value of getting quality players in rookie draft.

Re: Rookie Bonuses
 

All I know is that Swift and Higgins were both on the spreadsheet for 2025 rookie bonuses and that renegotiation doesn’t have any affect on rookie bonuses because I renegotiated Nico Collins and he has a rookie bonus for this year.

Re: Rookie Bonuses
 

I'd also be in favor of reducing the bonus years.

Re: Rookie Bonuses
 

Swift and Higgins should not have been in spreadsheet. I even commented on that thread that Higgins should not have rookie bonus as he's entering 6th year. I didn't mention Swift because he was cut before rollover.

Collins is still on rookie contract. This is year 5, so yes he receives a rookie bonus of 84cbs due to 2024 production since he hadn't hit the WR max for a 2nd rounder (1512cbs).

Re: Rookie Bonuses
 

When in doubt, we should leave things as they are, but so far, there seems to be some desire from multiple managers to make at least some sort of adjustment to the current system.