Free Agency Vs Draft Negotiations

[Defensewins]

dieselhog
Much of the delay in signing high draft picks (1st rounders) has to blamed on the teams, because they wait so long before they start serious negotiations. Players are drafted in April and most serious negotiations don't start until a week before training camp. Many of the teams wait until the last possible minute to see what the other teams pay the rookie before and after their pick so they can slot them. They are afraid of looking bad by overpaying a rookie.
Teams also use to their advantage the possibilty of a training camp hold out in negotiations and tell the rookie, "If you don't sign and miss too much of training camp, you can forget the chance of a starting position as a rookie.". Also the local press and fans get down on the rookie for saying they are too greedy, just like you are doing.
It is a two way street and the player and team both share in this problem.