BlueFin said:
Thats not true Pete....what is your source?
Did John Elway agree to a contract with Baltimore when they selected him number one? No.
Did Eli Manning agree to a contract with San Diego when they selected him number one? No.
I guess I heard wrong....but this explains the real reason why;
A team with the top pick usually likes to agree to a contract prior to the draft with the player that it plans to select, as NFL rules permit. That eliminates the possibility of a contract dispute that might cause the player to report to training camp late and potentially ruin his rookie season. An on-time arrival at training camp would be particularly important to the 49ers, since they don't have a franchise quarterback on their roster and likely would want Smith to receive significant playing time next season. The 49ers went 2-14 last season and fired Dennis Erickson as their coach and Terry Donahue as their general manager, replacing them with Coach Mike Nolan and front-office chief Scot McCloughan.
The 49ers apparently are enamored of Smith's athleticism and intelligence. He had 32 touchdown passes and only four interceptions last season while leading Utah to an undefeated record.
Some NFL talent evaluators regard Rodgers as the more accurate passer and the more polished player, but there is some wariness about him league-wide because none of the former quarterbacking pupils of Cal Coach Jeff Tedford -- including Trent Dilfer, Akili Smith, David Carr, Joey Harrington and Kyle Boller -- has emerged as an NFL star.
The 49ers apparently still could end up selecting Rodgers if they're unable to sign Smith. The club met with its top four draft prospects -- Smith, Rodgers, Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards and Miami cornerback Antrel Rolle -- last week, and has left open the possibility of trading the pick.
The team with the first pick is the only team that can do so....but as we all know....players don't have to sign early or sign at all....but does anyone think the 49ers will select a player that won't agree to a contract before they select him? Thats why the 49ers are in contract talks with the three players now....before they select him...and notice I wrote him...they only get one bite of the apple...so two bites will still be there for teams who will want them be it the Dolphins or another team.