First-round NFL draft picks sign four-year contracts with a team option for a fifth year. Their total contract values vary significantly based on draft position, governed by the NFL rookie wage scale established in the 2011 collective bargaining agreement. Key figures for 2025 first-round picks:

• The first overall pick can sign a fully guaranteed deal worth around $43 million to $48 million total, including a signing bonus exceeding $22 million, with some reports citing up to $32 million signing bonus for top picks

• Contracts decrease progressively with each pick; for example, the 10th pick might sign a deal around $23 million total, while the 32nd pick's contract could be about $15 million over four years

• Signing bonuses for first-rounders typically range from about $15 million to over $30 million for the top picks, with base salaries starting at the rookie minimum of $840,000 in 2025 and annual increases capped at 25% of the first-year cap number

• All first-round contracts are fully guaranteed, unlike later rounds where guarantees are less comprehensive

Summary:

Draft Position| Approximate Total Contract Value (4 years)| Signing Bonus Range| Guarantee Status
---|---|---|---
1st overall| $43M - $48M| $22M - $32M+| Fully guaranteed
Mid first round (10th)| ~$23M| ~$10M+| Fully guaranteed
Late first round (32nd)| ~$15M| ~$5M - $6M| Fully guaranteed

These contracts are structured with limited negotiable items, mainly the signing bonus payment schedule and guarantee offsets, and include a fifth-year team option for first-rounders

. The rookie wage scale prevents excessive rookie salaries and ties increases to the league salary cap growth. In essence, first-round NFL draft picks make multi-million dollar contracts fully guaranteed over four years, with top picks earning the highest amounts, including large signing bonuses, and all having an option for a fifth year