Free NFL Analytics Platform — A Directory of Our Hubs
StickToTheModel is a free NFL analytics platform organized around a few core hubs. Each hub is the home for a specific category of NFL coverage — pick the one that matches what you're looking for. No signup required.
Our Hubs
Mock Draft Simulator — The simulator hub. 7-round NFL mock drafts with trades, AI opponents, and instant grades.
NFL GM Simulator — The GM mode hub. Manage salary cap, cuts, trades, franchise tags, and the draft for any team.
2026 Draft Prospect Hub — Big board, scouting reports, combine measurables, and team visit tracker.
Free Pro access for NFL content creators. YouTubers, podcasters, newsletter writers, and bloggers can partner with StickToTheModel to use our NFL analytics tools, draft coverage, and salary cap data in their content. Trusted by Yahoo Sports, Yardbarker, and EssentiallySports.
Our platform offers data-driven NFL analysis with tools for draft preparation, fantasy football, and player research. All core features are free with daily updates during the NFL season.
The platform serves fantasy football players, NFL Draft enthusiasts, dynasty league managers, sports bettors, content creators, and casual fans exploring NFL statistics.
Rookie Contract Structure: NFL Definition
First-round picks sign four-year deals with a team option for a fifth year, while rounds 2-7 sign four-year contracts. All rookie deals follow the CBA's slotted wage scale with limited negotiation room.
Full Explanation
Under the 2020 CBA, rookie contracts follow a rigid structure designed to control costs and reduce holdouts. First-round picks receive four-year contracts with a club option for a fifth year (the "fifth-year option"). Players selected in rounds 2 through 7 sign standard four-year deals with no fifth-year option.
The total value of each contract is determined by the rookie wage scale, which assigns a slotted value based on draft position. The only real negotiation involves how much of the contract is guaranteed and the specific structure of signing bonuses, base salaries, and roster bonuses. Top picks receive fully guaranteed four-year deals, while later picks may only have partial guarantees.
Rookie contracts are team-friendly by design. Star players drafted in the first round often significantly outperform their rookie deals, which is why teams value high draft picks so highly -- they represent potential elite production at a fraction of the market rate. This dynamic also drives the importance of the fifth-year option, which gives teams an additional year of cost-controlled production from their best young players.
Category: Draft & Rookies. Part of the StickToTheModel NFL Encyclopedia.