How long is a contract for a first-round draft pick?

A contract for a first-round draft pick in the NFL is standardized to a duration of 4 years, which includes a team option for a 5th year. This structure allows the team to retain the player for an additional season if they so choose, providing the player has demonstrated enough potential and value to warrant that extension. The inclusion of the 5th-year option gives teams added flexibility and serves as an incentive for first-round picks to perform well during the initial four years of their contract. This framework is part of the broader rookie wage scale established in the collective bargaining agreement, which also helps to manage salary expenditure on newly drafted players.