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What You Need To Know About 6th Round NFL Draft Pick Salary

Trends January 10, 2025

How much do 6th round draft picks make in the NFL?

The average salary for a 6th round draft pick in the NFL is $1.1 million. This is significantly less than the average salary for a 1st round pick, which is $4.5 million. However, 6th round picks can still make a significant amount of money if they are able to perform well and earn a starting role.

The highest-paid 6th round pick in NFL history is Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has earned over $80 million in his career. Fitzpatrick was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 2005 and has since played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins. He has been a starting quarterback for most of his career and has led his teams to several playoff appearances.

Other notable 6th round picks include:

Antonio Brown-Wide receiver

Tyreek Hill-Wide receiver

Davante Adams-Wide receiver

George Kittle-Tight end

Hunter Henry-Tight end

These players have all had successful NFL careers and have earned millions of dollars. They are proof that it is possible to make a lot of money in the NFL, even if you are not a high draft pick.

The NFL draft is a complex process, and there are many factors that can affect a player's salary. However, the round in which a player is drafted is one of the most important factors. 6th round picks are typically not expected to make as much money as 1st round picks, but they can still have successful NFL careers and earn a significant amount of money.

6th round draft pick salary nfl

The salary of a 6th round draft pick in the NFL is determined by several factors, including the player's position, skills, and potential. Here are six key aspects that affect the salary of a 6th round draft pick:

Position: Players who play more valuable positions, such as quarterbacks and wide receivers, tend to earn more money than players who play less valuable positions, such as offensive linemen and defensive backs.
Skills: Players who have a high level of skill and athleticism are more likely to earn a higher salary than players who do not. This is because teams are willing to pay more for players who can make a significant impact on the field.
Potential: Teams also consider a player's potential when determining his salary. Players who are considered to have a high upside are more likely to earn a higher salary than players who are not. This is because teams are willing to invest in players who they believe have the potential to be stars.

In addition to these six key aspects, the salary of a 6th round draft pick can also be affected by the salary cap of the team that drafts him. The salary cap is the maximum amount of money that a team can spend on player salaries in a given year. If a team is close to the salary cap, it may not be able to offer a 6th round draft pick as much money as it would like.

Overall, the salary of a 6th round draft pick in the NFL is determined by a variety of factors. By considering these factors, teams can make informed decisions about how much money to offer 6th round draft picks.

1. Position

In the NFL, the position a player plays has a significant impact on their salary. Quarterbacks and wide receivers, who are considered to be more valuable positions, typically earn more money than offensive linemen and defensive backs. This is because quarterbacks and wide receivers are responsible for scoring points, which is the ultimate goal of the game. Offensive linemen and defensive backs, while important, are not as directly involved in scoring points.

Supply and demand: There are more players who can play offensive line and defensive back than there are players who can play quarterback and wide receiver. This means that quarterbacks and wide receivers are in higher demand, which drives up their salaries.
Impact on the game: Quarterbacks and wide receivers have a greater impact on the outcome of a game than offensive linemen and defensive backs. A great quarterback can make all the difference for a team, while a great offensive lineman or defensive back is less likely to have as much of an impact.
Marketing potential: Quarterbacks and wide receivers are more marketable than offensive linemen and defensive backs. This means that they can earn more money from endorsements and other marketing opportunities.

The position a player plays is just one of many factors that affect their salary. However, it is one of the most important factors. 6th round draft picks who play more valuable positions are more likely to earn higher salaries than 6th round draft picks who play less valuable positions.

2. Skills

This is especially true for 6th round draft picks. These players are typically not expected to be major contributors right away, but teams are willing to pay more for players who have the potential to develop into stars. Here are a few examples of 6th round draft picks who have earned high salaries due to their skills and athleticism:

Antonio Brown: Brown was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 6th round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He quickly developed into one of the best wide receivers in the league, earning over $80 million in his career.
Tyreek Hill: Hill was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 6th round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has become one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the league, earning over $50 million in his career.
Davante Adams: Adams was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 6th round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He has become one of the best wide receivers in the league, earning over $50 million in his career.

These are just a few examples of the many 6th round draft picks who have earned high salaries due to their skills and athleticism. These players have proven that it is possible to make a lot of money in the NFL, even if you are not a high draft pick.

3. Potential

In the context of "6th round draft pick salary nfl", a player's potential is a key factor in determining his salary. This is because 6th round draft picks are typically not expected to be major contributors right away. However, teams are willing to pay more for players who have the potential to develop into stars.

Athleticism: Players with exceptional athleticism are more likely to be considered to have a high upside. This is because athleticism can be a predictor of future success in the NFL. For example, a player with great speed and agility is more likely to be successful as a wide receiver or running back.
Production in college: Players who have a history of producing at a high level in college are more likely to be considered to have a high upside. This is because production in college is a good indicator of a player's potential to succeed in the NFL. For example, a player who has been a star quarterback in college is more likely to be successful in the NFL.
Character: Teams also consider a player's character when evaluating his potential. This is because players with good character are more likely to be successful both on and off the field. For example, a player who is a hard worker and has a good attitude is more likely to be successful in the NFL.

Overall, a player's potential is a key factor in determining his salary, especially for 6th round draft picks. Teams are willing to pay more for players who have the potential to develop into stars.

FAQs about 6th round draft pick salary nfl

Here are some frequently asked questions about the salary of a 6th round draft pick in the NFL:

Question 1: What is the average salary of a 6th round draft pick in the NFL?

The average salary for a 6th round draft pick in the NFL is $1.1 million.

Question 2: What factors affect the salary of a 6th round draft pick?

The salary of a 6th round draft pick is affected by several factors, including the player's position, skills, potential, and the salary cap of the team that drafts him.

Question 3: What is the highest salary ever earned by a 6th round draft pick?

The highest salary ever earned by a 6th round draft pick is $80 million, earned by Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Question 4: What are some examples of successful 6th round draft picks?

Some examples of successful 6th round draft picks include Antonio Brown, Tyreek Hill, and Davante Adams.

Question 5: What is the importance of potential for a 6th round draft pick?

Potential is very important for a 6th round draft pick because teams are willing to pay more for players who they believe have the potential to develop into stars.

Conclusion

The salary of a 6th round draft pick in the NFL is determined by a variety of factors, including the player's position, skills, potential, and the salary cap of the team that drafts him. While 6th round draft picks are typically not expected to be major contributors right away, they can still have successful NFL careers and earn a significant amount of money. Players like Antonio Brown, Tyreek Hill, and Davante Adams are all examples of 6th round draft picks who have gone on to become stars in the NFL.

For teams, it is important to carefully consider all of these factors when determining how much money to offer a 6th round draft pick. By making informed decisions, teams can increase their chances of finding a player who can contribute to their success.