How Much Does the #1 Draft Pick Make? The Jaw-Dropping Numbers Behind It

The Basics: What Determines a #1 Draft Pick’s Salary?

Rookie contracts and the CBA

In most major American sports leagues, rookie salaries—especially for the #1 pick—are determined by the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB all have different systems, but the concept is the same: the higher you’re drafted, the more guaranteed money you’re likely to get.

These contracts are mostly slotted, meaning there's a predefined range based on draft position. But there’s wiggle room, and the negotiation style still matters (some agents play hardball, some don’t).

So if you’re the top dog on draft night? You’re probably looking at millions, guaranteed, before even stepping onto the field or court.

NFL: The Biggest Payday in Rookie Sports?

Let’s be honest—the NFL often leads the drama with the #1 overall pick. And the payday? Oh boy.

In 2024, Caleb Williams (picked #1 by the Chicago Bears) signed a 4-year deal worth approximately $39 million, all guaranteed, with a $25 million signing bonus. That’s just for signing his name on a piece of paper. Wild, huh?

Here’s a typical structure:

• Fully guaranteed 4-year contract

• Fifth-year team option

• Massive signing bonus paid upfront

• Endorsements? Extra cherry on top

Honestly, some players make more from Nike or Gatorade than their team checks in the first year.

NBA: Fewer players, higher averages

In the NBA, rookie contracts are also slotted—but since fewer players are drafted (just two rounds), the top picks earn more per capita.

For example, Victor Wembanyama, the #1 pick in 2023, signed a 4-year deal worth around $55 million, with $12 million in his rookie year alone. Not bad for a 19-year-old, right?

The structure looks like:

• 2 guaranteed years + 2 team option years

• Around 120% of the rookie scale allowed by the CBA

• Bonuses for things like All-NBA or Rookie of the Year

And don’t forget sneaker deals—sometimes those are worth more than the contract itself (hello, LeBron’s $90 million Nike deal before ever playing a game).

MLB and NHL: Slightly different ballgame

MLB: Drafted first doesn’t mean you’re rich (yet)

In Major League Baseball, things get funky. The #1 pick signs a signing bonus, but doesn’t earn the big bucks until they reach the majors (which can take years).

Take Paul Skenes, the 2023 #1 overall pick. He signed a deal with the Pirates worth $9.2 million, the highest draft bonus in MLB history. But he’ll only start making a real salary once he breaks into the major leagues.

So yeah—money upfront, but a long wait for the big league checks.

NHL: Big talent, small early salary

In the NHL, rookie contracts are capped pretty tight. The #1 pick signs a 3-year entry-level deal, usually worth $950,000 per year base, plus performance bonuses.

Take Connor Bedard in 2023: his deal included:

• $950k base salary

• Up to $3.5 million in performance bonuses

• Endorsements (like with Bauer or Gatorade) helping a lot on the side

Not NFL money, but still not too shabby for a teenager.

Endorsements and Extras: The Hidden Fortune

Sometimes, the base salary isn’t even the biggest deal. Top draft picks often get:

• Shoe deals (Nike, Adidas, Puma…)

• Energy drink or car commercials

• Video game covers (think Madden or NBA 2K)

These can total tens of millions, especially if the athlete’s got charisma, style, or just viral appeal.

Remember Zion Williamson? His rookie shoe deal with Jordan Brand was worth $75 million. That’s before his first dribble in an NBA game.

So… How Much Does the #1 Draft Pick Really Make?

There’s no single number, but here’s the rough breakdown for 2024:

• NFL: ~$39 million over 4 years

• NBA: ~$55 million over 4 years

• MLB: ~$9–10 million bonus + minor league salary (for now)

• NHL: ~$1 million per year + bonuses

Add in endorsements and it varies wildly—but one thing’s clear: being the #1 draft pick makes you instantly rich, whether you’re on the field or not.

And hey, not bad for a night in a fancy suit and a hug from the commissioner.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.