The "PICK" Thing

[3113]

In football, you are the "property" of the team that drafts you for the life of your rookie contract and usually beyond. After six years of service, you become eligible to be a free agent, but the team can opt to make you a restricted free agent.

Whoah, wait. So, you play in high school, then in college. That puts you at age, um, 21. Then 6 years later you get to be a free agent. That puts you at age 27....

I know nada about football, so I can't argue on the average life-span of a player, but given how very tough it is on the body, wouldn't a 27 year old football player be past his prime and not a very desirable prospect? I mean, it sounds like the draft team gets six of the guy's best playing years and then gets to put him out to pasture if it looks like he isn't going to be able to maintain his power through age 30.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Whoah, wait. So, you play in high school, then in college. That puts you at age, um, 21. Then 6 years later you get to be a free agent. That puts you at age 27....

I know nada about football, so I can't argue on the average life-span of a player, but given how very tough it is on the body, wouldn't a 27 year old football player be past his prime and not a very desirable prospect? I mean, it sounds like the draft team gets six of the guy's best playing years and then gets to put him out to pasture if it looks like he isn't going to be able to maintain his power through age 30.

High school prepares you for college. College prepares you for the NFL. Most players, see the field almost not at all their first season. Work in as a special teams or situational player in their second and third. Break into the starting lineup around their fourth season. Some do it faster, but most Take some time to really get up to playing consistantly.

The average player is really just hittin ghis stride at 27-28. He's still got his physical tools and has now got the experience to go with them.

Basically:

Running backs start to decline around ager 32-33
Line men can play up into their mid thirties.
Wide recivers can play into their late thrirties, usually adjust from speed recivers to possession types.
Defensive backs are variable, often they start to loose a step in their early thirties and since thier bread and butter is speed, it's rare to see one still playing at a premierelevel past 34.
QB's can play effectively into their 40's.
linebackers, depending on scheme can be productive in to ther late thrities.

So a guy becoming a free agent at 27 can look forward to probably two big paydays. More if he is signed to short term deals or lands on a cap starpped team.