Ja’Wuan James Contract Guaranteed

[DKphin]

The Palm Beach post reported yesterday that the entire eight million dollar contract signed by rookie first round pick, Ja’Wuan James is fully guaranteed. The four year deal has an option for a fifth season as is common with first round selections. The Dolphins did manage to the the off-set language into the deal which has been their staple from day one of the new CBA. Off-set language means that if James is released at any point the Dolphins will only owe him the difference between his original contract and the contract he signs with another team.
James is expected to be the cornerstone of the Dolphins right side on the offensive line. In years past the 19th pick did not receive by other teams fully guaranteed deals however the differences of what wasn’t paid was around $300,000. In the overall scheme of things it’s a minor issue but does set a precedence that the Dolphins will now have to adhere to in future drafts. In other words next years draft pick selection in round one can simply point to James and say, “he got it all, I want it all”.

http://phinphanatic.com/2014/06/20/jawuan-james-contract-guaranteed/

 

[Roman529]

Great for him. I listened to an interview James did on WQAM about a week before the NFL draft. They asked him how he would feel if the Dolphins drafted him in the first round. He sounded very positive, articulate and a guy who is going to continue to work hard. :brewskis:

 

[russianbear]

chump change in the big scheme of things. you can't draft 1st round busts as a team, so I have no problem guaranteeing his rookie money on the presumption he will outplay his salary by year 2 or 3.

 

[LouPhinFan]

Hope the kid is driven to develop on his own because we've removed the monetary reason for him to get better and play well in the short term of his contract. He can ball out in his final year of his contract and get decent 2nd contract and loaf through his first years on this one.

Hopefully that won't be the case but you can't ever be sure.

 

[roy_miami]

I hated Ireland trying to put the screws to our first round picks. They're excited to be moving on to professional sports. They're excited to be drafted and feel the excitement from the management/fanbase. You want that excitement to carry over into training camp and the season. What you don't want is their agent calling "welp, it looks like they want to play hardball...." Especially with the new CBA where there should be very little negotiating wiggle room.

Fully guaranteed with offset sounds totally fair and I'm sure James didn't have to stress out about it too much.

 

[So Be]

Aren't all of the first round picks guaranteed most of their contracts?

 

[Kdawg954]

Aren't all of the first round picks guaranteed most of their contracts?

I'm almost certain that the new rookie contracts are fully guaranteed. There may be some wording in regards to early release or something but for the most part that is the case.