New Agent Strategy: If my guy doesn't get drafted by day 2, he's not signing

[jelt2359]

For those who know the rules much better than myself: is this a viable strategy? One problem I see is *where* could they possibly go in that one year.

Can these guys like skip a year and go to the CFL, for example, and come back into the draft next year?

 

[PolarBear]

How does that help his draft stock going into the next season by playing in the CFL...

 

[Unannounced Fart]

Here's an article that talks about the pros/cons of being a UDFA. It sounds like a UDFA will get less bonus money than a draft pick, but is extension eligible after 2 years, rather than 3 years for drafted players. So if he plays well, he can see a big payday after year 2, as opposed to year 3.

Another problem is what if the player/agent grossly overvalues his stock? He may think he's a 2nd round talent, but the rest of the NFL thinks he's a 5th round talent. So he goes undrafted and the rest of the NFL blackballs him since they don't want to deal with his prima donna ass because he's only a 5th round talent, as opposed to a 1st round talent like Collins. Unless you're in a unique situation like Collins was, I think telling teams that you won't sign is a terrible idea. If you don't get drafted in rounds 1-3, then guess what? That means the market said you're not a 1-3 round talent, and you won't get that type of money after the draft.

http://overthecap.com/what-can-lael-collins-earn-as-an-undrafted-free-agent/

 

[ClydeLee]

Mike Williams didn't play a whole season and was drafted 10th overall.

Playing in some crummy Arena league or CFL won't help him. As long as he is consistently training hard and in top shape all year and shows that off in pre-draft workouts and visits he'll still be desired.

It's only viable for guys seen as elite prospects. Some run of the mill due to be 4th round pick type of player who would say it, wouldn't be gaining anything by not signing, because he isn't losing/gaining a whole lot in doing it. Someone who could get 10+Mil from their draft stock is different.

 

[BearsFan51]

You cannot re-enter the draft. Once you're in the draft that's it. Otherwise you might as well only have a two round draft because NO ONE would sign.

 

[TheDane]

You cannot re-enter the draft. Once you're in the draft that's it. Otherwise you might as well only have a two round draft because NO ONE would sign.

The guys that are obviously overdrafted probably would.

 

[ClydeLee]

You cannot re-enter the draft. Once you're in the draft that's it. Otherwise you might as well only have a two round draft because NO ONE would sign.

No one would sign? You're trolling isn't any good anymore. I'm sure hundreds of guys will pass up the still multiple Million dollar deals 3rd rounders get with over $500,000 signing bonus'es to hope the next year, they'll get to be one of the lucky 64 drafted in the 1st 2 rounds.

Players have been drafted multiple times by not signing in the past. It's very common knowledge that Bo Jackson was one as he was drafted #1 to Tampa but didn't sign with them, then was drafted by the Raiders the next year. Craig erickson was another guy drafted 2 years.

If you get drafted, don't sign, you can re-enter the next years draft. That rule still stands as it did in the late 80s for those guys. Collins can't re-enter the draft because he was not drafted. You can't re-enter it if you weren't drafted though because that would be a loophole for some very pompous self worth inflated UDFAs.

 

[gilder121]

The guys that are obviously overdrafted probably would.

How many players truly believe they are overdrafted? 2-3 guys with low self esteem? Good luck trying to convince someone of that.

 

[TheDane]

How many players truly believe they are overdrafted? 2-3 guys with low self esteem? Good luck trying to convince someone of that.

Thanks, buddy!

 

[ClydeLee]

How many players truly believe they are overdrafted? 2-3 guys with low self esteem? Good luck trying to convince someone of that.

I recall there being a news splash made about how fast Garrett Wolfe signed his rookie contract, he was the first player in the league to sign and he was just thrilled to get the deal signed instantly being a 3rd round pick.

 

[Bearly]

The rule used to be that your rights were good for a year and then could be redrafted. In fact i think it still is if drafted. Everybody signed because they knew they'd be worth less after sitting a year and giving the impression that you may do it again if you don't like your draft slot. Agents won't tell their players not to sign because they can switch agents within that year. The idea that none would sign is ludicrous.

Collins could actually have done the same if drafted. By opening his mouth he will now have to wait 2 years or get a special exemption.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

I recall there being a news splash made about how fast Garrett Wolfe signed his rookie contract, he was the first player in the league to sign and he was just thrilled to get the deal signed instantly being a 3rd round pick.

LOL. even he knew how bad JA fucked up.

 

[Bearly]

Lol.

 

[WindyCity]

For those who know the rules much better than myself: is this a viable strategy? One problem I see is *where* could they possibly go in that one year.

Can these guys like skip a year and go to the CFL, for example, and come back into the draft next year?

He would make 50K Canadian in the NFL.

Probably takes home 35K after taxes.

35K Canadian might be 31K American.

31K vs 400K?

 

[NCChiFan]

He would make 50K Canadian in the NFL.

Probably takes home 35K after taxes.

35K Canadian might be 31K American.

31K vs 400K?

I would take the $400k, unless I'm trying to teach someone else a lesson on how not to do things.

 

[Raskolnikov]

we should have acquired a seventh and just taken a flyer

 

[fatbeard]

we should have acquired a seventh and just taken a flyer

You're not getting it.

 

[Toast88]

This could only work with a top talent whose draft stock wouldn't drop much, if at all, in that one year.

The problem with the strategy you propose is that if the player's already thought of as a fringe second/third round talent, their draft stock isn't going to get better if they sit out a year, even if they go to another "football" league.

 

[jelt2359]

This could only work with a top talent whose draft stock wouldn't drop much, if at all, in that one year.

The problem with the strategy you propose is that if the player's already thought of as a fringe second/third round talent, their draft stock isn't going to get better if they sit out a year, even if they go to another "football" league.

Would this work for someone like Ifo Ekpre-Olomu? He even managed to insure himself against a third round or lower position.

Let's say he issued an ultimatum and didn't get drafted (close enough, R7). Then he could take some time in the CFL, or sign immediately as an UDFA, and hit payday sooner than his peers (basically all that stuff about La'el would apply to him too).

 

[TheDane]

we should have acquired a seventh and just taken a flyer

A flier on a player whos agent publicly said that he wouldn't sign a contract if he was drafted on day 3, so that he could re-enter next year? It's not a lot to waste a 7th-rounder, but it's still waste.