Joe Burrow and the 50 Best Rookie Deals in NFL History

Were these rookies worth the money?

By George Malone October 18, 2020 Net Worth 101

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CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 30: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to pass the football during a scrimmage at Paul Brown Stadium on August 30, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Joe Robbins / Getty Images

Cincinnati Bengals rookie Joe Burrow, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft out of LSU, signed the top contract for this year’s class. But his deal – worth $36,190,137 – doesn’t even rank in the top 50 rookie contracts in NFL history, even with a $23 million signing bonus.

That’s not because NFL owners are suddenly cheap and thrifty. In 2011, the NFL players’ union and owners agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement that set a wage scale for rookies. That means each team gets a certain amount of money for signing rookies and undrafted free agents each year, so franchises won’t break the bank on first-round picks anymore.

Read on to see which rookies landed the biggest contracts in NFL history.

Last updated: Oct. 14, 2020

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©Ben Margot/AP/Shutterstock

50. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Wide Receiver

Year of draft: 2009
Team signed rookie contract with: Oakland Raiders
Total value of rookie contract: $38,250,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $7,650,000

Mandatory Credit: Photo by AP/Shutterstock (9229065aw)Former Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson, who is being inducted into the Texans Ring of Honor, runs on to the field before an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Arizona Cardinals, in HoustonCardinals Texans Football, Houston, USA - 19 Nov 2017.

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AP/Shutterstock / AP/Shutterstock

49. Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver

Year of draft: 2003
Team signed rookie contract with: Houston Texans
Total value of rookie contract: $39,000,000
Signing bonus: $9,000,000
Average contract value: $6,500,000

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©Mark Lennihan/AP/Shutterstock

48. Mike Williams, Tackle

Year of draft: 2002
Team signed rookie contract with: Buffalo Bills
Total value of rookie contract: $39,256,875
Signing bonus: $7,275,000
Average contract value: $6,542,813

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©Carlos Osorio/AP/Shutterstock

47. Charles Rogers, Wide Receiver

Year of draft: 2003
Team signed rookie contract with: Detroit Lions
Total value of rookie contract: $39,400,000
Signing bonus: $9,100,000
Average contract value: $6,566,667

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©Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP/Shutterstock

46. Rolando McClain, Inside Linebacker

Year of draft: 2010
Team signed rookie contract with: Oakland Raiders
Total value of rookie contract: $40,000,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $8,000,000

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©Ron Schwane/AP/Shutterstock

45. Joe Haden, Cornerback

Year of draft: 2010
Team signed rookie contract with: Cleveland Browns
Total value of rookie contract: $40,056,742
Signing bonus: $12,000,000
Average contract value: $8,011,348

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 11: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers throws a pass during pregame warm ups against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Grant Halverson / Getty Images

44. Philip Rivers, Quarterback

Year of draft: 2004
Team signed rookie contract with: New York Giants
Total value of rookie contract: $40,500,000
Signing bonus: $7,650,000
Average contract value: $6,750,000

Note: Rivers was immediately traded to the Chargers.

GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 03: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 3, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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Jon Durr / Getty Images

43. Adrian Peterson, Running Back

Year of draft: 2007
Team signed rookie contract with: Minnesota Vikings
Total value of rookie contract: $40,500,000
Signing bonus: $3,000,000
Average contract value: $8,100,000

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©Tom Uhlman/AP/Shutterstock

42. LaRon Landry, Safety

Year of draft: 2007
Team signed rookie contract with: Minnesota Vikings
Total value of rookie contract: $40,500,000
Signing bonus: $3,000,000
Average contract value: $8,100,000

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©Bryan Woolston/AP/Shutterstock

41. Andre Smith, Right Tackle

Year of draft: 2009
Team signed rookie contract with: Cincinnati Bengals
Total value of rookie contract: $42,000,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $7,000,000

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©Ben Margot/AP/Shutterstock

40. Darren McFadden, Running Back

Year of draft: 2008
Team signed rookie contract with: Oakland Raiders
Total value of rookie contract: $42,043,750
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $7,007,292

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©AP/Shutterstock

39. Joe Thomas, Left Tackle

Year of draft: 2007
Team signed rookie contract with: Cleveland Browns
Total value of rookie contract: $42,500,000
Signing bonus: $6,360,000
Average contract value: $8,500,000

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 15: Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals throws an incomplete pass during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 15, 2015 in Seattle, Washington.

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Steve Dykes / Getty Images

38. Carson Palmer, Quarterback

Year of draft: 2003
Team signed rookie contract with: Cincinnati Bengals
Total value of rookie contract: $42,697,500
Signing bonus: $15,000,000
Average contract value: $7,116,250

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©Nam Y Huh/AP/Shutterstock

37. Antrel Rolle, Safety

Year of draft: 2005
Team signed rookie contract with: Arizona Cardinals
Total value of rookie contract: $43,000,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $7,116,667

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©Eric Risberg/AP/Shutterstock

36. Michael Huff, Safety

Year of draft: 2006
Team signed rookie contract with: Oakland Raiders
Total value of rookie contract: $43,200,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $8,640,000

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 14: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws a pass in the first half against the Washington Redskins during their game at MetLife Stadium on December 14, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

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Al Bello / Getty Images

35. Eli Manning, Quarterback

Year of draft: 2004
Team signed rookie contract with: San Diego Chargers
Total value of rookie contract: $45,000,000
Signing bonus: $3,000,000
Average contract value: $7,500,000

Note: Manning was immediately traded to the Giants.

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©Steve Nesius/AP/Shutterstock

34. Gaines Adams, Defensive End

Year of draft: 2007
Team signed rookie contract with: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Total value of rookie contract: $45,325,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $7,554,167

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Julius Peppers #90 of the Carolina Panthers smiles during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Santa Clara, California.

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Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

33. Julius Peppers, Defensive End

Year of draft: 2002
Team signed rookie contract with: Carolina Panthers
Total value of rookie contract: $46,000,000
Signing bonus: $9,100,000
Average contract value: $6,571,429

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©Mark Lyons/EPA/Shutterstock

32. David Carr, Quarterback

Year of draft: 2002
Team signed rookie contract with: Houston Texans
Total value of rookie contract: $46,200,000
Signing bonus: $10,920,000
Average contract value: $6,600,000

Read More: Biggest Contract Busts in the NFL

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©Bill Kostroun/AP/Shutterstock

31. Tim Couch, Quarterback

Year of draft: 1999
Team signed rookie contract with: Cleveland Browns
Total value of rookie contract: $47,950,000
Signing bonus: $12,250,000
Average contract value: $6,850,000

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Alexey Stiop / Shutterstock.com

30. Peyton Manning, Quarterback

Year of draft: 1998
Team signed rookie contract with: Indianapolis Colts
Total value of rookie contract: $48,000,000
Signing bonus: $11,600,000
Average contract value: $8,000,000

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 24: Jay Cutler #6 of the Miami Dolphins throws a pass in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 24, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Mitchell Leff / Getty Images

29. Jay Cutler, Quarterback

Year of draft: 2006
Team signed rookie contract with: Denver Broncos
Total value of rookie contract: $48,000,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $8,000,000

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©John Bazemore/AP/Shutterstock

28. Russell Okung, Left Tackle

Year of draft: 2010
Team signed rookie contract with: Seattle Seahawks
Total value of rookie contract: $48,500,000
Signing bonus: $1,680,000
Average contract value: $8,083,333

Mandatory Credit: Photo by AP/Shutterstock (9175832ht)Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) points at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Kansas City, Mo49ers Chiefs Football, Kansas City, USA - 11 Aug 2017.

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AP/Shutterstock / AP/Shutterstock

27. Alex Smith, Quarterback

Year of draft: 2005
Team signed rookie contract with: San Francisco 49ers
Total value of rookie contract: $49,500,000
Signing bonus: $1,000,000
Average contract value: $8,250,000

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©Edouard H R Gluck/AP/Shutterstock

26. Vernon Gholston, Linebacker

Year of draft: 2008
Team signed rookie contract with: New York Jets
Total value of rookie contract: $50,000,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $10,000,000

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©Ed Zurga/AP/Shutterstock

25. Eric Berry, Safety

Year of draft: 2010
Team signed rookie contract with: Kansas City Chiefs
Total value of rookie contract: $50,044,300
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $10,008,860

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©Ed Zurga/AP/Shutterstock

24. Glenn Dorsey, Defensive End

Year of draft: 2008
Team signed rookie contract with: Kansas City Chiefs
Total value of rookie contract: $50,425,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $10,085,000

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©Ross Franklin/AP/Shutterstock

23. Matt Leinart, Quarterback

Year of draft: 2006
Team signed rookie contract with: Arizona Cardinals
Total value of rookie contract: $50,460,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $8,410,000

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Bill Kostroun/AP/Shutterstock (9268094bu)New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez looks on during warm ups before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, in East Rutherford, N.

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k / Bill Kostroun/AP/Shutterstock

22. Mark Sanchez, Quarterback

Year of draft: 2009
Team signed rookie contract with: New York Jets
Total value of rookie contract: $50,500,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $10,100,000

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©Elaine Thompson/AP/Shutterstock

21. Reggie Bush, Running Back

Year of draft: 2006
Team signed rookie contract with: New Orleans Saints
Total value of rookie contract: $52,500,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $8,750,000

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©Michael Perez/AP/Shutterstock

20. Donovan McNabb, Quarterback

Year of draft: 1999
Team signed rookie contract with: Philadelphia Eagles
Total value of rookie contract: $53,700,000
Signing bonus: $11,300,000
Average contract value: $7,671,429

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©Dave Einsel/AP/Shutterstock

19. Mario Williams, Defensive End

Year of draft: 2006
Team signed rookie contract with: Houston Texans
Total value of rookie contract: $54,000,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $9,000,000

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 26: Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy #93 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stands on the field during a timeout against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 26, 2014 in Tampa, Florida.

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Cliff McBride / Getty Images

18. Gerald McCoy, Defensive Tackle

Year of draft: 2010
Team signed rookie contract with: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Total value of rookie contract: $55,000,000
Signing bonus: $3,600,000
Average contract value: $11,000,000

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©Weston Kenney/AP/Shutterstock

17. Chris Long, Defensive End

Year of draft: 2008
Team signed rookie contract with: St. Louis Rams
Total value of rookie contract: $55,025,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $11,005,000

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©Rick Osentoski/AP/Shutterstock

16. Calvin Johnson, Wide Receiver

Year of draft: 2007
Team signed rookie contract with: Detroit Lions
Total value of rookie contract: $55,500,000
Signing bonus: $14,000,000
Average contract value: $9,250,000

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©Al Behrman/AP/Shutterstock

15. Akili Smith, Quarterback

Year of draft: 1999
Team signed rookie contract with: Cincinnati Bengals
Total value of rookie contract: $56,000,000
Signing bonus: $10,800,000
Average contract value: $8,000,000

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©Reed Hoffmann/AP/Shutterstock

14. Tyson Jackson, Defensive End

Year of draft: 2009
Team signed rookie contract with: Kansas City Chiefs
Total value of rookie contract: $57,000,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $11,400,000

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©Wilfredo Lee/AP/Shutterstock

13. Jake Long, Left Tackle

Year of draft: 2008
Team signed rookie contract with: Miami Dolphins
Total value of rookie contract: $57,750,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $11,550,000

Vince Young Tennessee Titans qb Vince Young (10) points to a teammate on the sidelines against the New Orleans Saints in the first half of their football game in New OrleansTitans Saints Football, New Orleans, USA.

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Ann Heisenfelt/AP / Shutterstock.com

12. Vince Young, Quarterback

Year of draft: 2006
Team signed rookie contract with: Tennessee Titans
Total value of rookie contract: $58,000,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $9,666,667

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©Rick Scuteri/AP/Shutterstock

11. Trent Williams, Left Tackle

Year of draft: 2010
Team signed rookie contract with: Washington Redskins
Total value of rookie contract: $60,000,000
Signing bonus: $3,000,000
Average contract value: $10,000,000

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©Elaine Thompson/AP/Shutterstock

10. Aaron Curry, Outside Linebacker

Year of draft: 2009
Team signed rookie contract with: Seattle Seahawks
Total value of rookie contract: $60,000,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $10,000,000

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©Ben Margot/AP/Shutterstock

9. Robert Gallery, Tackle

Year of draft: 2004
Team signed rookie contract with: Oakland Raiders
Total value of rookie contract: $60,000,000
Signing bonus: $8,000,016
Average contract value: $8,571,429

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©Frank Franklin II/AP/Shutterstock

8. Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver

Year of draft: 2004
Team signed rookie contract with: Arizona Cardinals
Total value of rookie contract: $60,417,500
Signing bonus: $7,500,000
Average contract value: $10,069,583

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©Paul Sakuma/AP/Shutterstock

7. JaMarcus Russell, Quarterback

Year of draft: 2007
Team signed rookie contract with: Oakland Raiders
Total value of rookie contract: $61,000,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $10,166,667

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©Seth Perlman/AP/Shutterstock

6. Jason Smith, Left Tackle

Year of draft: 2009
Team signed rookie contract with: St. Louis Rams
Total value of rookie contract: $61,775,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $10,295,833

Read More: 13 NFL Players Who Lost Millions

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Jerry Zitterman / Shutterstock.com

5. Michael Vick, Quarterback

Year of draft: 2001
Team signed rookie contract with: Atlanta Falcons
Total value of rookie contract: $62,000,000
Signing bonus: $3,000,000
Average contract value: $10,333,333

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 13: Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh #93 of the Miami Dolphins in action against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 13, 2015 in Landover, Maryland.

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Patrick Smith / Getty Images

4. Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle

Year of draft: 2010
Team signed rookie contract with: Detroit Lions
Total value of rookie contract: $63,502,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $12,700,400

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome on January 1, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

3. Matt Ryan, Quarterback

Year of draft: 2008
Team signed rookie contract with: Atlanta Falcons
Total value of rookie contract: $67,500,000
Signing bonus: $7,450,000
Average contract value: $11,250,000

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions looks down field against the Jacksonville Jaguars during first half action at Ford Field on November 20, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan.

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Leon Halip / Getty Images

2. Matthew Stafford, Quarterback

Year of draft: 2009
Team signed rookie contract with: Detroit Lions
Total value of rookie contract: $72,000,000
Signing bonus: None
Average contract value: $12,000,000

ORCHARD PARK, NY - AUGUST 10: Sam Bradford #8 hands the ball off to Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on August 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York.

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Brett Carlsen / Getty Images

1. Sam Bradford, Quarterback

Year of draft: 2010
Team signed rookie contract with: St. Louis Rams
Total value of rookie contract: $78,045,000
Signing bonus: $17,975,000
Average contract value: $13,007,500

More From GOBankingRates:

Methodology: For this piece, GOBankingRates used Spotrac’s NFL Draft Tracker data to find Joe Burrow and the 50 Best Rookie Deals in NFL History. GOBankingRates first found the ten (depending on data availability) largest rookie contracts in terms of total value from the 2020 to 1979 NFL drafts, which is the latest data available. Once these 280 contracts were sourced, GOBankingRates found the following info for all contracts: (1) player name; (2) year of the draft; (3) pick in the draft in which the player was selected; (4) team signed rookie contract with; (5) position played; (6) age at time of signing; (7) college team; (8) length of contract in years; (9) total value of rookie contract; (10) signing bonus; and (11) average contract value calculated by dividing factor (9) by (8). Once all these factors were determined GOBankingRates ranked the contracts solely on the basis of factor (9) with the largest 50 rookie contracts in terms of total value being deemed best. All data was collected and is up to date as of Oct. 5, 2020.