A blank sheet of paper has endless possibilities.

Whether you want to doodle, write down those precious passwords, journal or map out the next five years, everyone treats that paper differently. For some, it’s the chance to build the perfect paper football or airplane. For others, it’s the roadmap to success.

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As graduations come and go this time of year, it’s a reminder that many are turning to a new page.

What kind of story will those students author beyond school?

There will be hardship. There will be triumph. The only thing guaranteed is that success is far from linear. Many college athletes learned that during their playing days.

Thousands of players enter the college football landscape, hoping that they can one day make the leap to the NFL. Many saw those dreams come to an end this spring. Others will fight to keep that dream alive this summer.

For over 250 prospects, they heard their name called during the 2025 NFL Draft. The first 32 figure to have the best chance for success and the contracts indicate that. These are the salaries the first-round rookies will be making at their first job out of college.

NFL rookie salaries 2025

Here is the average annual value (AAV), or salaries, for the first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, according to Spotrac:

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Walter Nolen, DT, Arizona Cardinals: $4,835,043

Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals: $4,735,659

Grey Zabel, OG, Seattle Seahawks: $4,617,865

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $4,543,183

Jahdae Barron, CB, Denver Broncos: $4,512,050

Derrick Harmon, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers: $4,487,202

Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers: $4,443,615

Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers: $4,393,835

Donovan Jackson, OG, Minnesota Vikings: $4,294,264

Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants: $4,238,746

James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Atlanta Falcons: $4,194,696

Shedeur Sanders’ rookie salary

Sanders will make an average of $1,161,845 per year for the next four on his rookie deal.

The former Colorado quarterback inked a four-year deal worth over $4.6 million after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round with the 144th overall pick.

As evidenced by the first-round salaries, Sanders’ unprecedented draft slide turned what would’ve been his average salary into his total contract value for the next four seasons.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL rookie salaries: Contracts for first-round picks, Shedeur Sanders