Alabama Football: 2017 NFL Draft Showed Tide Players The Money
By Ronald Evans
Alabama football players were big winners in the 2017 NFL Draft. Let’s look at the details of the ten contracts gained by drafted Tide players and also the deals for undrafted free agents.
For Alabama football players selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, it is not all about the money. It is about the opportunity to prove themselves on the game’s biggest stage. It is also about recognition of their stature in the football world.
Their success will be measured by professional longevity, by player awards and team championships. Beyond those standards, all the players will be measured now and forever by money earned.
Money and what it may provide for the players and their families is a concrete a measurement of achievement. However much or little the total compensation of a professional football career, it is money hard earned. No one should consider it undeserved.
NFL rookie deals are done quickly. The terms are defined by the league’s CBA. Draftees immediately know the value of their contract. For an expanded definition of how this works, read NFL Draft: Show Me the Money.
Here are the numbers for the ten drafted Alabama football players from spotrac.com
- Marlon Humphrey – drafted 16th Overall in First Round – Total Contract: $11,898,614; Signing Bonus: $6,793,538
- Jonathan Allen – drafted 17th Overall in First Round – Total Contract: $11,646,348; Signing Bonus: $6,610,071
- O. J. Howard – drafted 19th Overall in First Round – Total Contract: $11,141,816; Signing Bonus: $6,243,139
- Reuben Foster – drafted 31st in the First Round – Total Contract: $9,071,121; Signing Bonus: $4,737,179
- Cam Robinson – drafted 34th Overall in the Second Round – Total Contract: $7,042,506; Signing Bonus: $3,261,822
- Ryan Anderson – drafted 49th Overall in the Second Round – Total Contract: $5,339,704; Signing Bonus: $2,023,421
- Dalvin Tomlinson – drafted 55th Overall in the Second Round – Total Contract: $4,582,921; Signing Bonus: $1,473,033
- Tim Williams – drafted 78th Overall in the Third Round – Total Contract: $3,411,268; Signing Bonus: $862,046
- Ardarius Stewart – drafted 79th Overall in the Third Round – Total Contract: $3,589,054; Signing Bonus: $850,766
- Eddie Jackson – drafted 112th Overall in the Fourth Round – Total Contract: $3,024,247; Signing Bonus: $669,247
Since the NFL Draft was reduced to seven rounds in 1994 and even more so since the CBA in 2011, the great majority of drafted players make NFL regualr season rosters. Absent new medical problems or off-field issues, all ten Alabama players should become members of their team’s 53 man roster.
Next: Big Draft Wins for Alabama and Other Teams - Auburn Not So Much
Currently, Alabama football undrafted players have the following deals: Gehrig Dieter Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA) contract with Kansas City; Korren Kirven UDFA contract with Tampa Bay and Cole Mazza has accepted a tryout with the New York Jets.