The Draft

As we all know April 28-30, was the 2011 NFL Draft. This was a very exciting yet controversial draft, due to the lockout (which was lifted right before the draft and put back in place right after the draft).  Contracts are NOT in place yet and the rookies do not know how much money they will be receiving.  All 32 NFL teams will be shelling out a lot of money when contracts are signed. WE WILL HAVE AN NFL SEASON.

In the 2010 draft the number one draft pick was by the St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB from Oklahoma. Before the 2010 season, he signed a 6-year, $78 million deal, with $50 million guaranteed. This contract has a maximum value of $86 million. Bradford signed the largest contract EVER for a rookie. He also has an endorsement with Axe.

The second pick in the 2010 draft was by the Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, Defense Tackle from Nebraska. Suh signed a $68 million contract with $40 million guaranteed for 5 years. He also has money coming from his endorsement deals with Nike and Chrysler.

Looking back at these numbers, one can only speculate what the number one and two draft picks will receive this year.

“With the number one pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select Cam Newton, QB Auburn.”  Cam Newton led the Auburn Tigers to a 14-0 season winning the BCS championship.  He is also the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner. Before the draft Newton signed a VERY nice contract with Under Armour (terms undisclosed). Will Cam sign a contract worth more than Sam Bradford? We will soon see.

Von Miller, linebacker from Texas A&M was selected by the Denver Broncos as the second overall draft pick. He has signed an endorsement deal with Adidas.  Will he make more then Suh? We will soon see.

Just in case you missed the draft here are the top 10 picks…..

1.     Cam Newton- Panthers

2.     Von Miller- Broncos

3.     Marcell Dareus- Bills

4.     A.J. Green- Bengals

5.     Patrick Peterson- Cardinals

6.     Julio Jones- Falcons

7.     Aldon Smith- 49ers

8.     Jake Locker- Titans

9.     Tyron Smith- Cowboys

10. Blaine Gabbert- Jaguars
The rest of the draft can be found at http://www.nfl.com/draft/2011/tracker#dt-by-round-input:1

 The Detroit Lions had an AMAZING draft acquiring Nick Fairley 13th pick, Titus Young 44th pick, Mikel Leshoure  57th pick, Douglass Hogue 157th pick,  and Johnny Culbreath 209th pick. GO LIONS 

Sources: ESPN, NFL.com