The CBA, Potential 2011 Lockout and Impact on Prospects:
With the NFL collective bargaining agreement set to expire at the end of 2010, team owner's and the NFL Player's
Association (NFLPA) will need to come to a compromise. Owner's are pushing to have a rookie salary cap put into
place along with an overall change in the current salary cap structure. On the other hand, the NFLPA wants fair
compensation for their players, both present and future.
According to NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, the league's future is in jeopardy as a renewal will not take place
prior to the May 21st deadline. Goodell stated:
"Our objective is to fix these problems in a new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement), one that will
provide adequate incentives to grow the game, ensure the unparalleled competitive balance that has
sustained our fans' interest, and afford the players fair and increasing compensation and benefits."
Because of the current stalemate between league owners and the NFLPA, a 2011 lockout could be approaching.
How will this potentially affect the NFL Draft? For starters, college players will be forced to seriously consider their
options. Prior to CBA talks, it was typically an automatic that college players would leave, often foregoing their senior
years to enter the draft. Past drafts have shown the majority of high-valued prospects (first rounders) are often
juniors or other draft eligible players. Now with a potential uncapped 2010 season and 2011 lockout, college players,
in particular juniors, will have to reconsider their NFL futures. An uncapped 2010 season will not hurt current (2010)
draft prospects. Many juniors have already decided to forego their senior years in order to "weather the storm," and
avoid a potential lockout, as these draft picks will have contracts in place. However, all prospects after this year's
draft will be in limbo until an agreement is reached.
The other problem draft prospects (regardless of year entering the draft)
is how owner's are starting to view these "unproven commodities." An
uncapped year may be ideal for some of the more wealthier franchises such
as: Dallas, Washington and Seattle. However, some of the more "thrifty"
teams may be too set in their ways and may not offer an absorbent amount
of money to rookies, cap or no cap. Another aspect that plays against rookies
is the fact that franchises may be more willing to load up on proven NFL
veterans. Rookie development and team cohesiveness is the model of
success, but sometimes all a franchise may need is one or two players to lift
them over the hump: i.e. Minnesota signing Brett Favre.
Regardless of how or when a new CBA is negotiated, the incentives for NFL
college prospects have changed. For many, large rookie contracts were the
driving force. Now it seems that those inflated contracts will never be matched
again as owners are no longer willing to empty their pockets and become
salary cap strapped for one, unproven rookie. If a 2011 lockout is avoided, we
anticipate that the trend to leave early (junior year) will fade as juniors will put
more value into development and education.
- Draft Huddle
With the NFL collective bargaining agreement set to expire at the end of 2010, team owner's and the NFL Player's
Association (NFLPA) will need to come to a compromise. Owner's are pushing to have a rookie salary cap put into
place along with an overall change in the current salary cap structure. On the other hand, the NFLPA wants fair
compensation for their players, both present and future.
According to NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, the league's future is in jeopardy as a renewal will not take place
prior to the May 21st deadline. Goodell stated:
"Our objective is to fix these problems in a new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement), one that will
provide adequate incentives to grow the game, ensure the unparalleled competitive balance that has
sustained our fans' interest, and afford the players fair and increasing compensation and benefits."
Because of the current stalemate between league owners and the NFLPA, a 2011 lockout could be approaching.
How will this potentially affect the NFL Draft? For starters, college players will be forced to seriously consider their
options. Prior to CBA talks, it was typically an automatic that college players would leave, often foregoing their senior
years to enter the draft. Past drafts have shown the majority of high-valued prospects (first rounders) are often
juniors or other draft eligible players. Now with a potential uncapped 2010 season and 2011 lockout, college players,
in particular juniors, will have to reconsider their NFL futures. An uncapped 2010 season will not hurt current (2010)
draft prospects. Many juniors have already decided to forego their senior years in order to "weather the storm," and
avoid a potential lockout, as these draft picks will have contracts in place. However, all prospects after this year's
draft will be in limbo until an agreement is reached.
The other problem draft prospects (regardless of year entering the draft)
is how owner's are starting to view these "unproven commodities." An
uncapped year may be ideal for some of the more wealthier franchises such
as: Dallas, Washington and Seattle. However, some of the more "thrifty"
teams may be too set in their ways and may not offer an absorbent amount
of money to rookies, cap or no cap. Another aspect that plays against rookies
is the fact that franchises may be more willing to load up on proven NFL
veterans. Rookie development and team cohesiveness is the model of
success, but sometimes all a franchise may need is one or two players to lift
them over the hump: i.e. Minnesota signing Brett Favre.
Regardless of how or when a new CBA is negotiated, the incentives for NFL
college prospects have changed. For many, large rookie contracts were the
driving force. Now it seems that those inflated contracts will never be matched
again as owners are no longer willing to empty their pockets and become
salary cap strapped for one, unproven rookie. If a 2011 lockout is avoided, we
anticipate that the trend to leave early (junior year) will fade as juniors will put
more value into development and education.
- Draft Huddle
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