Buccaneers sign multiple rookies to contracts
As of June 7, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had yet to sign a single rookie to their first-ever NFL contract. Well, that all changed Thursday when KPRC2's Aaron Wilson reported the Bucs signed not one, not two, not three, but five of their 2023 draft picks to a deal. This is obviously key for all […]
As of June 7, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had yet to sign a single rookie to their first-ever NFL contract.
Well, that all changed Thursday when KPRC2's Aaron Wilson reported the Bucs signed not one, not two, not three, but five of their 2023 draft picks to a deal.
This is obviously key for all parties. Details of the contracts haven't been released, but it's important to note that all of these players were selected in the fifth round or later. Specifically, pick No. 153 (Dennis), at the earliest.
This is because the Buccaneers barely have more than $400k in cap room and none of these players will count against the NFL's top-51 rule. Which means only the top-51 cap hits currently count against the salary cap. All 53 cap hits don't count until final cutdown day, which is August 29.
There's an easy way to know Dennis isn't going to find himself in the top-51 and that's simply by looking at the contract signed by the draft pick that was selected right before him in Colby Sorsdal. Per Spotrac, Sorsdal is set to count just $830k against the cap in 2023. Well, the 51st Buc in terms of cap hit is none other than Brandon Walton, who is set to make $850k in 2023.
So, unless Sorsdal just has an awful agent, it's basically guaranteed Dennis counts no more than $830k against the cap in 2023, which subsequently means he falls in line behind Walton -and even John Molchon and Deven Thompkins- at No. 54 in terms of cap hit.
Isn't the salary cap just a wondeful-ly, easy thing to explain? Don't worry, the Bucs will be able to sign Calijah Kancey, Cody Mauch, and YaYa Diabyonce Mike Evans is extended
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
