Is there a limit in how much you can offer UDFA in signing bonuses?

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WestCoastRam

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I'm curious, it seems like some teams spend more to get undrafted free agents than others. I think in the last year or two, we've actually spent pretty decently on them.

We'll need to spend decently this year if we're going to maximize the kind of guys we get out of it.
 

Elmgrovegnome

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I'm curious, it seems like some teams spend more to get undrafted free agents than others. I think in the last year or two, we've actually spent pretty decently on them.

We'll need to spend decently this year if we're going to maximize the kind of guys we get out of it.

I believe in the previous two regimes the Rams spent very little on UDFAs. However, Snead believes in finding talent there and the Rams started to shell out more money. I don't know what the limits are though.
 

Elmgrovegnome

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According to an old article http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/05/05/teams-have-80362-for-udfa-signing-bonuses/

Teams only had a total of $80,362 to spend on UDFAs in 2014


And this is an old article but explains things pretty well. http://overthecap.com/the-importance-of-planning-for-the-undrafted-free-agent/

The Importance of Planning for the Undrafted Free Agent
Posted on April 27, 2013April 28, 2013 by Jason Fitzgerald


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As the draft comes to a close, a second type of draft begins which is the chase for the undrafted free agents. The UDFA’s are the players who did not get drafted and now get a chance to choose a situation that suits them best. For the most part their contracts are already made for them- the NFL limits their contracts to 3 year terms and puts a salary cap pool on all undrafted free agents a little bit over $75,000. While teams can exceed that amount they rarely do because then it hurts what they can pay their drafted players. That being said this is a big day where having a good agent shows its worth.

Teams have their own systems in place for UDFAs. Some the like Raiders rarely give bonuses. The Jets value most players at the same bonus value, around $7,000 per player, and give little negotiating room. Others like the Dolphins vary their bonuses from as little as $500 to as much as $10,000 depending on the player. And then there are teams like the Patriots who give a small signing bonus and also guarantee base salary as a way to avoid the $75,000 limitation. Knowing these systems is important to getting the largest guarantee possible.

But there is a lot more importance to planning than just getting an extra $1,000 in the players pocket. The biggest goal for a player is to make a roster and earn their full $405,000 salary. It is much better to have a chance to earn $405,000 and get a $1,000 bonus than not earn $405,000 and get a $10,000 bonus. At the least you want to have a good chance to make the Practice Squad, earning close to $100,000 if you can last a full 17 weeks.

The one benefit to not being drafted is that you get to choose the situation you go to and it is critical to find the situation that suits you the best. In the NFL opportunities are limited and when you have no draft cache at all sometimes one chance is all you get. To maximize your chances you need meaningful preseason time or a spot on a teams Practice Squad which are scouted by the other 31 franchises. Even then there is no guarantee of a second chance.

An agent needs to know a teams roster inside and out. They need to know what positions are not only open this year but what ones may open next year. Teams are already planning for 2014 and you need to take advantage of that. Find a situation where your UDFA might be able to become the plan for 2014. They need to understand team trends with UDFAs and low drafted players. Do they hold onto them or do they routinely cut the players? Does the team often sign UDFAs to the PS or do they usually just keep maintaining their groups of PS eligible players from year to year? What positions did they just draft? To just field a phone call and say “deal” is doing a disservice to the player they represent and themselves.

What might be some good landing spots? Without knowing players available I would think the Raiders are a perfect spot for a player. The Raiders need bodies and have limited players under contract for 2014, the lowest total in the NFL. They are going to look for talent anywhere they can get it and their GM comes from a system where they take as many picks and possible in a draft with the feeling that they can find talent somewhere. The Bears might be another good destination. This is a team undergoing a facelift with a very short window for their current starters. The Jets are clearly in the midst of a massive rebuild and have kept UDFA’s before and often will place such players on their Practice Squad.

This is planning that had to begin in January and will potentially pay off for players today. A lot of work yes, but necessary. And those who did it will be placing their clients in the best possible situations to let them continue their dream of playing in the NFL.
 

So Ram

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The Rams (Snead) had done an excellent job at finding jems with UDFA's.
Darrel Williams OT- how they found him ??
-- paid Louis Trinca-Pasat DT-Aaron Donald type motor&aside.Minus speed.
-Malcolm Brown- another great RB find(like Bennie)
Matt Longacre DE - actually started a couple games.
Bradley Marques took Stedman's place,which I believe will keep.He played very well on special teams.Was actually getting more trips than B.Quick.
Cameron Lynch was a big part of special teams when Bates got hurt.
--2015 was an excellent class.

Ethan Westbrooke got paid huge as an UDFA. I thought there was a cap ?
 

Orchid

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Obert
Bad coaching decision. You (Coaches/ FO) did not think h4 could play in 2015 due to injury, so they prepped everybody but him.

There is a reason that he was one of their first FA signings. When he steps up this year, he WILL be the difference maker this year (2016).
 

thirteen28

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Didn't Snead find Rodney McLeod as a UDFA? Or was that a nut found by the blind squirrel of the previous regime?
 

hotanez

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Bad coaching decision. You (Coaches/ FO) did not think h4 could play in 2015 due to injury, so they prepped everybody but him.

There is a reason that he was one of their first FA signings. When he steps up this year, he WILL be the difference maker this year (2016).
Who?