NFL Draft Question

[floydnimrod]

In 2003 the Bengals had the number one pick and signed Carson Palmer before the draft started that Saturday(I think this happened last year with Houston and Mario Williams). Since Carson Palmer was already signed, could the Bengals have drafted somebody else and taken Palmer in a later round, or is this forbidden by NFL rules?

I know it doesn't really making sense seeing that you would have to pay two rookies "top pick money" but hypothetically, is it possible?

[HedleyLamarr]

They officially can't sign a player before he's drafted. They can "agree to terms" before the draft, but can't sign the deal until he's been drafted.

[Jigga]

Sorry, it's completely unpossible.

[BBTV]

I thought they could sign him, and then the second team can start negotiating with players and possibly sign one prior to the draft too (though it wouldn't make a lot of sense to do so.)

Either way, the Bengals most certainly could NOT draft someone else number one and still have had Palmer.

[OnWis97]

I thought they could sign him, and then the second team can start negotiating with players and possibly sign one prior to the draft too (though it wouldn't make a lot of sense to do so.)

Either way, the Bengals most certainly could NOT draft someone else number one and still have had Palmer.

I thought they could sign him as well, but that no other teams could do the same.

But as you say, you cannot use the signing/negotiation as a loophole to get two players.

[Pat]

The team picking first has the right to negotiate and sign any player in the draft before hand. The player they sign would have to be their first overall pick. If this happens the second team picking can not sign a player until after they draft them, signing before the draft is only reserved for whom is picking first.

[whitedawg22]

The team picking first has the right to negotiate and sign any player in the draft before hand. The player they sign would have to be their first overall pick. If this happens the second team picking can not sign a player until after they draft them, signing before the draft is only reserved for whom is picking first.

As a bit of history, the rule you mentioned was instituted after the 1990 draft. In 1990, the Bears really wanted USC safety Mark Carrier, but he was projected to be selected before their 6th overall pick. So they agreed to terms with him, offering him more money than the 6th overall pick was "slotted" to get, and he called the teams drafting before the Bears and pulled an Eli (told them he wouldn't sign with them if drafted). He fell to the Bears, they picked him, and the rest is history.

To prevent this from happening in the future, the NFL created the rule that prevents teams talking contract with prospects (other than the team drafting first overall) before drafting them.