With the NFL Draft concluding and rookies set to begin their offseason activities and workouts, that leaves us wondering - who are the richest rookies in North American sports?
To highlight the richest rookies, SlotsOnlineCanada.com collected data comparing the rookie contract values of the last 10 number one overall picks in the NFL, NBA and NHL.
Check out the results below:
A list of ‘Rich Rookies’ and their contract values
Research showed that the NBA was the sport that had the highest contract value with $32.9 million on average. Not too far behind was the NFL with an average of $29 million, whilst the NHL had the least contract value of just $10.7 million.
As one of the highest rated college prospects of all time, it is no surprise Jacksonville Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence signed a huge $36.79 million rookie deal. However, due to a number of different factors, the season didn’t quite go to plan as the quarterback had imagined. Lawrence admitted he had a rough season, but remains optimistic and is ready to take the next step in his NFL career under new head coach Doug Pederson.
This year’s top pick in the NFL, Travon Walker, recently signed his rookie deal too.
Walker’s contract is worth $37,372,621, making him the highest paid NFL rookie included in this list, and the former Georgia defensive lineman will be hoping to replicate his college success in Jacksonville.
Walker’s $37 million contract is still nowhere near JaMarcus Russell's calamitous 6-year $61 million dollar deal, which was signed in 2007 after the QB was selected first overall by the Raiders.
Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham was the NBA first overall pick with the highest contract value over the last decade. At just 20 years old, Cunningham's contract is valued at a whopping $45.59 million. Considering that the point guard had a spectacular rookie season for the Pistons, the former Oklahoma State star is already proving his worth to the Pistons.
Owen Power’s rookie deal had the lowest contract value. The Buffalo Sabres’ defenceman has a contract valued at just $5,55 million. However, despite being the lowest earner overall, Power scored his first NHL goal in April and there is no doubt he has a bright future ahead of him.
