Yea, but that doesn't really work for RB, where very few are being extended.
There is alot of good data in the article attached, but the TLDR is that unless you round 1 or round 2 RB, you probably should expect one NFL contract. I think Estime can be a round 2 RB and he fits the mold for certain teams. But if he doesn't get that grade, there is merit to cashing in via NIL.
There has been a lot of buzz in the NFL news lately about running backs not getting offered big second contracts by teams. Recently, Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, and Josh Jacobs all failed to come to terms with their respective teams before the Franchise Tag deadline (though Barkley signed an...
steelcityblitz.com
Very good breakdown, and I agree getting that second contract is extremely difficult, and might not make sense for a franchise with regards to RBs. I think, to me, the biggest take is trying to get yourself the best opportunity at getting the second contract, IF possible, and getting those 3 years of playing time.
Audric is 20, and will turn 21 around the first game of the NFL season. That would put him at 24 going into year 4 (the last year of a rookie contract). It doesn't seem like much, but, assuming a good NFL career, a team would probably be more likely to extend past year 4 or sign after year 4 an RB that will be 25, not 26.
All that said, it will be extremely hard for RBs as they continue to come to the NFL to get meaningful contracts going forward. It just seems like the NFL franchises will continue to find cheap options to continue paying other positions premier money. In the end, Audric has a decision to make, and I wouldn't blame him to go to the NFL after this year, as it is typical of an RB these days.
