The top of the 2024 NFL Draft did n’t offer much suspense as Caleb Williams was -50000 to be the first pick, meaning a$ 50, 000 bet would net$ 100. The Washington Commanders chose Louisiana player Jayden Daniels with the following find, and the Chicago Bears complied with the text and picked him as their major goal.
Act ruled the day with a history 23 offensive participants, though no running backs, picked among the 32 selections, including a report- tying six quarterbacks. One of those was Atlanta Falcons ‘ Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8, which caused distress since the team only signed former QB Kirk Cousins to a four- yr,$ 180 million deal. Edge blitz Laiatu Latu at No. 1 was the first defensive player chosen. 15 by the Indianapolis Colts.

Williams is in line for a four- year contract worth$ 39.5 million, including a$ 25.5 million signing bonus. The signing bonus increased by 3.8 %, marking the first rookie extra increase since the 2020 NFL Draft.
Draft pick deals are predetermined by a method that is usually tied to the NFL salary cover. But the helmet declined 8 % in 2021—the first reduction since 2011—following a$ 4 billion income fall in 2020 when games were held under COVID- induced facility capacity limits. The group and the athletes ‘ union agreed to change the 2021 draft class ‘ standard rookie salary formula to avoid unfair treatment.
To stop a collapse in quarterback contracts, the compromise was to “borrow money” against upcoming freshman compensation pools. The effect was 1 % increases in draft pick signing bonuses—the mass of initial- round player agreements —even if the helmet was over. The system was in place until 2022, when the cap increased by 14 %, and then again in 2023, when the cap increased by 8 %.
The 2024 NFL salary cap is$ 255.4 million per team, a record$ 30 million increase over the previous year. The boost is the result of new media agreements as well as the “full reimbursement of all volumes advanced by the leagues and deferred by the people during the COVID pandemic” being accomplished.
Williams is the unusual NFL player to not have a standard broker, as his parents, Carl, is taking the lead on conversations. According to the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, the agreement has almost no wiggle room and will save the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner approximately$ 1 million in agent fees.
2011 saw the implementation of the quarterback earnings slot system. Agents and clubs had bargain over contracts that went beyond the top-tier people ‘ salaries in the past. The 2009 best find, Matthew Stafford, signed for$ 72 million over six decades with the Detroit Lions, while Sam Bradford got$ 78 million with the subsequently- St. Louis Rams the next year. Cam Newton, the 2011 No. 1 pick, signed for$ 22 million over four years with the Panthers.
The 32 first- round picks this year are projected to sign contracts worth a total of$ 640 million, including$ 364 million in signing bonuses. The minimum base salary for a rookie will be$ 795, 000 in 2024, up from$ 750, 000 the prior year.
The first- round picks all receive four- year deals, with a fifth- year team option. With the second overall pick Chase Young the highest pick in the 2020 draft, his option was exercised with the Commanders. Twenty of the 32 picks had their options exercised.
The second and third rounds of the draft are set for Friday night. ( It has been corrected in the second paragraph to point out that Michael Penix Jr. was chosen with the eighth pick by the Atlanta Falcons. )