While certain provisions of the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement were aimed at simplifying the rookie signing process, Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said Wednesday that negotiations have been tricky so far.
Despite the difficulty that comes with new rules and a new system, though, Jones was anticipating that all eight of the Cowboys' draft picks would be signed, sealed and delivered shortly.
"We still have some work to do," Jones said in the team's camp-opening press conference. "There's some changes in terms of our rookie wage scale, so we're working through that. It's not as obvious as it normally would be. I think in the future it will be better - it will be better than it's ever been in the past. That's the positive thing.
"The tough thing right now is the fact that we don't have any of the guys signed yet. But we fully expect them to be signed, if not real close here by the end of the day today, certainly by tomorrow."
On Tuesday the Cowboys agreed to terms with 20 undrafted rookie free agents, who reported to camp Wednesday along with the eight draft picks.
Until they are under contract, however, the draftees cannot attend team functions beginning with Thursday's morning walkthrough and practice in the afternoon.
Tyron Smith, the ninth overall pick, will receive a four-year contract with a club option for a fifth year. The other seven picks will receive four-year deals.
