New England Patriots Rookie Contracts

With over half of the members of the 2010 NFL Draft under contract, it's time to look at the remaining drafted players of the New England Patriots who are still looking for their rookie deal. The middle six draft picks all have their contracts, leaving the last two draft picks, who should have a similar deal to recently signed Brandon Deaderick, and the first four draft picks unsigned as they await the signings of other top draft picks.

(2009 numbers courtesy of Mac’s Football Blog)

27th – Devin McCourty

• 2009 Same Pick Contract: RB, Donald Brown – 5-years, $12.835M
• Expected 2010 Contract: 5 Years, $13.13M

42nd – Rob Gronkowski

• 2009 Same Pick Contract: CB, Jairus Byrd – 4-years, $4.225m
• Expected 2010 Contract: 4 Years, $4.322M

53rd – Jermaine Cunningham

• 2009 Same Pick Contract: RB, LeSean McCoy – 4-years, $3.497M
• Expected 2010 Contract: 4 Years, $3.577M

62nd – Brandon Spikes

• 2009 Same Pick Contract: DT, Sen'Derrick Marks – 4-years, $3.117M
• Expected 2010 Contract: 4 Years, $3.189M
• Note: Spikes should receive a contract as expected and predicted. The #61st draft pick, Vladamir Ducasse signed a 4 year/$3.25M deal, which sets the tone for Spikes and the other 2nd rounders.

3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Round Draft Picks After the Jump!

90th – Taylor Price

• 2009 Same Pick Contract: CB, Christopher Owens – 4-years, $2.438M
• Actual 2010 Contract: 4-years, $2.494M (2.3% increase over prior year) - I know that Price's contract is documented at $3.35m. His $704.6k signing bonus, in addition to the above base contract, makes his deal worth $3.35m. However, that's if he reaches extremely high escalators- which means he most likely will never see the $3.35m. I used the base number that Mac's Football Blog used.
  

113rd – Aaron Hernandez

• 2009 Same Pick Contract: DE, Vaughn Martin – 4-years, $2.236M
• Expected 2010 Contract: 4 Years, $2.287M
• Actual 2010 Contract: 4 Years, $2.69M
• Note: Hernandez's contract is largely based upon performance, which is why is contract figures are atypical. Hernandez had drug issues weighing against him during the draft, which caused his stock to plummet, as well as while the Patriots were creating this contract. Unlike other players who receive large sums of guaranteed money early on, Hernandez will only gain his money if he remains with the team.
  

150th – Zoltan Mesko

• 2009 Same Pick Contract: LB, Jasper Brinkley – 4-years, $1.936M
• Expected 2010 Contract: 4 Years, $1.98M
• Actual 2010 Contract: 4 Years, $1.97M
  

205th – Ted Larsen

• 2009 Same Pick Contract: DT, Ra’Shon Harris – 3-years, $1.249M (=$1.665M/4 years)
• Actual 2010 Contract: 4-years, $1.87M (12.3% increase over the extrapolated 4 year contract)
• Note: the 206th pick in the 2009 draft received a $1.829m contract, which would give Larsen slightly under 2.3% increase over that draft pick)

208th – Thomas Welch

• 2009 Same Pick Contract: TE, John Phillips – 4-years, $1.828M
• Expected 2010 Contract: 4 Years, $1.87M
• Actual 2010 Contract: 4 Years, $1.859M
  

247th – Brandon Deaderick

• 2009 Same Pick Contract: DE, Nick Reed – 4-years, $1.791M
• Expected 2010 Contract: 4 Years, $1.832M
• Actual 2010 Contract: 4 Years, $1.83M
  

248th – Kade Weston

• 2009 Same Pick Contract: TE, Cameron Morrah – 4-years, $1.79M
• Expected 2010 Contract: 4 Years, $1.831M

250th – Zac Robinson

• 2009 Same Pick Contract: RB, Rashad Jennings – 4-years, $1.788M
• Expected 2010 Contract: 4 Years, $1.829M

It appears as if the Patriots are right on track with their signings and should look to have all of their Rookies signed by the end of July!

Let's hope that there will be zero contract disputes, apart from Logan Mankins, for the rest of the year.