What elements make up the Year-One Rookie Salary?

The Year-One Rookie Salary consists of two main components: the Paragraph 5 Salary and the prorated portion of the Signing Bonus. The Paragraph 5 Salary refers to the player's base salary as outlined in the contract. The signing bonus is typically divided over the duration of the contract for cap purposes, with a portion allocated to Year One, which is what is meant by "prorated portion of the Signing Bonus."

This combination is essential for accurately calculating the total financial commitment the team makes in the first year of a rookie contract. The focus on both elements reflects the structure of contracts in the NFL, where bonuses and base compensation can significantly impact a player's overall salary during their initial year in the league. The other choices do not accurately capture the components of the Year-One Rookie Salary as they miss the crucial inclusion of both the signing bonus and the specified base salary.