How much will UGA’s draftees make in the NFL?

Here's a look back at draft night for former UGA star Deandre Baker.

Georgia football had seven players selected in the 2019 NFL draft, and there will be some very rich young men moving forward.

Here’s a look at the pre-set rookie wage scale, which is a byproduct of the NFL collective bargaining agreement.

As much as the numbers are sure to draw interest from fans, they are also worth considering when measuring the risk-reward decisions players have to make when evaluating whether to come back for another year of school.

Deandre Baker, for example, was projected by some to be a second- or third-round pick had he come out in the 2018 NFL Draft.

By returning for his senior season and going No. 30 overall — instead of going in the middle of the second round as a junior, his financial gain was at least $5 million, if not more.

There are other examples of underclassmen turning pro early, only to go undrafted and sign as free agents.

The differences between being a drafted player and free agent are substantial, even if the free agent makes the team

Undrafted players who make the team can only sign three-year deals, and the average signing bonus is $5,000.

Practice squad players make $8,000 per week and $136,000 if they are on the team all 17 games of the season

The 2019 rookie minimum salary, per footbalnextlevel.com, is $495,000 for a rostered player — significantly less than a seventh-rounder who makes the team.

According to the Heavy.com website, for drafted players "all deals are over four years, but first-round picks have a fifth-year option available to teams."

Rookie wage scale for Georgia players*

(*approximate)

Deandre Baker, $5.6 million signing bonus, $10.5 million contract value

Mecole Hardman, $1.35-$2.33 signing bonus, $4.6-5.9 million value

Riley Ridley, $486,000-$805,0000 signing bonus, $3 million to $3.3 million value

D’Andre Walker, $234,000 to $349,000 bonus, $2.75 million to $2.87 value

Lamont Gaillard, $127,000 to $209,000 bonus, $2.65 million to $2.73 value

Isaac Nauta, $74,000 to $112,000 bonus, $2.59 million to $2.53 value

Terry Godwin, $74,000 to $112,000 bonus, $2.59 million to $2.53 value

Free agent information

Undrafted free agents, $5,000 signing bonus

2019 rookie minimum salary: $495,000

2019 practice squad pay: $136,000 if on all season