Arizona football: Former Wildcats finalize NFL rookie contracts

Taking a look at the contracts signed by Rich Rodriguez' latest crop of NFL talent

With Rookie Mini Camp starting for many NFL teams, front offices have been inking their draft picks and undrafted free agents to rookie deals. Over the last week or so, all former Arizona Wildcats who had not been cut all signed rookie deals.

Rich Rodriguez sent off six guys to the NFL. Will Parks and Scooby Wright III were the lone late-round draft picks, and four have signed on as undrafted free agents. Two, Jared Baker and David Richards, have been both cut from the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons, respectively.

You can check out more details on their contracts at overthecap.com or spotrac.com.

Will Parks

Parks was the first Wildcat to come off the board, taken with the 219th pick by the Denver Broncos. He has since signed a 4-year/$2.1 million deal with the organization. He has a $100,356 guaranteed signing bonus over the next four years, with an average base salary of $542,588 should he make the team every year.

Scooby Wright III

Taken with the fourth-to-last pick in the NFL Draft after free falling as a projected 2nd-4th rounder, Scooby Wright ended up signing the most lucrative deal of the Wildcats who signed. Also a four-year deal, Wright signed for $2.4 million. While his guaranteed money is less than Parks ($60,704), he can average $600,176 per year should he play out the length of his contract with the Browns.

Cayleb Jones

We had seen reports that many teams didn't even have Cayleb Jones on their draft boards. Character issues stemming from his days at Texas didn't bode well for him, and many probably thought he could have used another year to refine his skills in what seems to be yet another potent offense for Rich Rodriguez in 2016.

Nonetheless, Jones found a home with the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that has a strong need at his position. He has signed a 3-year/$1.6 million contract, with about $30,000 guaranteed over the three-year span. He can average $543,333 should he make the team. Many writers in that area believe he is a steal and has a great chance to make the team.

Reggie Gilbert

I really like Reggie Gilbert's fit with the Green Bay Packers. They are an organization that builds their team through the draft and undrafted free agents, and also has a defense that has a plan. He's set to play more of a hybrid role, likely one of Julius Peppers as an outside linebacker/defensive end. Like Jones, Gilbert signed a 3-year/$1.6 million contract, but with no money guaranteed. His average salary projects to be $540,000 over the next three years.

Lene Maiava

Maiava ended up signing the same exact deal as Reggie Gilbert, 3-years/$1.6 million. The Seahawks have needed help at the guard position. They addressed that need with their first-round pick, Germain Ifedi, who also plays left tackle.

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