The Cowboys signed draft picks later than other teams. On Wednesday, four of the nine signed rookie contracts. Most notable was fourth-round pick Ezekiel Elliott.
Elliott will receive a $16.3 million signing bonus and $24.9 million guaranteed over four years, according to a source. Since Trent Richardson was picked third overall in 2012 and given a $20 million contract, this is the largest rookie running back contract.
Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper, the 2017 fourth-overall pick, was guaranteed $22.7 million over four years. Sptrac ranks Ezekiel Elliott seventh in NFL running back salaries at $6.225 million. Elliott earns around $6.5 million per year, similar to former Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray, who plays for the Tennessee Titans.
First-round picks always have a fifth-year team option.The Cowboys also signed sixth-round picks Anthony Brown, Kavon Frazier, and Darius Jackson. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones explained why the franchise had not signed any draft picks the week before.
“Those things aren’t that difficult,” Jones said. They'll finish. We decided to review the year so far. Minor changes to the contracts may not be noticeable to outsiders.We wanted to examine how other teams approached things. We thought this may be the year we finally relax, watch how other clubs handle contracts, take notes, and sign these players.
We'll be OK. They're great guys played by great people. We'll finish.” The Cowboys' unsigned draft picks include linebacker Jaylon Smith, defensive tackle Maliek Collins, defensive end Charles Tapper, quarterback Dak Prescott, and tight end Rico Gathers.
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