Mailbag: Tougher To Sign Third-Round Picks? Change In Team Philosophy?

Why are 3rd-round picks harder to sign in this environment where contract value is practically agreed at the time of the pick?
Bryan: There is more to negotiate.
How much they get in Years 2, 3 and 4 are not set.
They know the minimum they can get and the maximum they can get but have to negotiate where in there they fall.
Rob: Bryan’s right.
The Cowboys’ last two third-round picks, Jourdan Lewis and Maliek Collins, signed before training camp.
Do you see this cycle continuing in the future?
Drafting and extending their own is really important to them.
This is not to say they won’t ever sign a free agent but I think it’s less likely now.
Stephen Jones has talked about a younger roster having more durability and being more likely to get through the grind of a 16-game season.