The first-round signings are starting to come in, as the annual mating ritual between teams and agents is in full bloom and the veteran, not rookie, reporting dates are upon us.  Agents have always told me that with first-round picks, they never take the rookie reporting dates seriously; they just want to know when the vets arrive.

Tim Tebow, the most well-known name in the Draft, has signed for numbers that are being bandied about in different ranges.  After talking to a couple people looking at the contract, here are what the numbers are:

The guaranteed amount for Tebow as of today is $8.7 million, a whopping 18.5% increase over last year's slotted pick, Vontae Davis.  However, I am told that once the contract enters year two, the guarantee is reduced to $8.45 million, still an impressive 15% increase from last year.

The five-year base value of the deal is $11.25 million, a 10.3% increase over Davis's $10.2 million.

As to the maximum value of the deal, the reported $33 million is accurate, but that is if Tebow earns every incentive and escalator, including millions tied to being the NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, etc.  The maximum value for a quarterback rookie contract is always higher than other positions, with some previous maximums such as Joe Flacco ($29.5 million), Brady Quinn ($30 million) and Josh Freeman ($36 million).

I remember negotiating Aaron Rodgers' rookie contract in the same area as Tebow was drafted, with the vast majority of the negotiation not about the guarantee or base value but about the incentives and escalators, trying to layer in future performance money not knowing when — or if — Brett Favre would no longer be the quarterback of the Packers.

Tebow received a strong contract for where he was drafted, although not quite what has been reported.