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It’s taken longer than usual for the New Orleans Saints to get their rookie draft class under contract, but that’s par for the course in such a strange offseason. The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic prompted the NFL to cancel offseason workouts and minicamp sessions, which is when rookie draft picks typically inked their deals. But everyone has signed on the dotted line now that the Saints have gathered for training camp.
On Monday, the Saints announced that all four of their draft picks have officially joined the team and filed their contracts with the NFL, a process that’s been more of a formality under recent collective bargaining agreements compared to those used in the past. Because salaries are tied to draft slotting and the rookie wage scale, there’s simply less to be negotiated than before.
And because the values of each rookie contract were already known, this won’t make much of a dent on the Saints salary cap outlook. Each player signed a four-year contract, though first-round pick Cesar Ruiz has a fifth-year team option worked into his deal.
But while everyone is now under contract, it may take some time for the Saints rookies to get on the practice field. Like other teams, the Saints will test all of the new arrivals for COVID-19 and begin an acclimation period involving physicals, equipment sizing, and a strength and conditioning program.
There’s still a long road to travel before we’ll see any new Saints football, but at least we’re on the right track. And for the curious, here are the jersey numbers chosen by each Saints draft pick:
- #1. QB Tommy Stevens, Mississippi State
- #51. C Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
- #53. LB Zack Baun, Wisconsin
- #82. TE Adam Trautman, Dayton
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