EAST RUTHERFORD -- A common cliche used by players who did not get selected in the NFL Draft is "I just want an opportunity."
Well, not all opportunities are created equally. Especially in the NFL.
There are two ways into NFL rookie minicamps for the hundreds of college prospects who did not hear their name called during the seven rounds and 256 picks of the 2018 NFL Draft.
So, what is the difference between signing as a priority undrafted free agent and accepting an invitation to rookie minicamp?
It's about opportunity as much as it is about money. A minicamp invitation essentially is an unsalaried tryout with the odds stacked against you.
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Undrafted free agent signees (UFAs) receive an actual contract instead of a stipend, signaling an investment in and prioritization of a player. That's what the Giants reportedly did Saturday night with Nebraska offensive tackle Nick Gates after deciding not to fill their need in the draft.
Here are the UFAs signed by the Eagles,by the Giants, and by the Jets.
While nothing is guaranteed in terms of a roster spot, the UFA is more likely to survive rookie minicamp and make it to the preseason and training camp with a shot to make the regular-season 53-man roster.
That is the reason some undrafted players hold out until late Saturday evening or Sunday waiting for or weighing options before agreeing to a tryout. It can be a risky strategy, however, because teams can move on to the next prospect as they fill up their maximum 90-man offseason rosters.
A tryout invitee has been passed over by all 32 teams twice -- in the draft and in post-draft free agency.
Rookie minicamps typically feature about 50-60 players drawn from draft picks, UFAs, tryout invitees and other young players looking for a second or third opportunity to catch on in the NFL.
They last two or three days, which isn't much time for a player on a tryout to make a lasting impression and steal someone else's roster spot. Perhaps as few as one or two of two dozen tryout inviteees will get extended time with a team, bumping up to a UFA.
An injury will wipe out the opportunity completely.
In 2017, a UFA contract was worth $1.665 million over three years, starting at the NFL minimum salary of $465,000 per year. Only a small fraction of the contract is guaranteed.
By comparison, the final pick of the seventh round of the 2018 draft -- Redskins wide receiver Trey Quinn -- is expected to sign a four-year deal worth $2.52 million. The average annual salary for the seventh-round pick is $630,000 compared to $555,000 for the UFA.
For the players who never make it past a first contract, the draft spot is a better deal than a UFA financially because it comes with a much larger signing bonus, sometimes up to 30 times greater.
For others, a UFA can be better than being drafted because you choose your fit instead of being forced into one team. The players who go on to long careers as former UFAs are one year closer to reaching free agency and their first really big payday.
The Giants will hold their rookie minicamp May 11-12. Players receive team-provided food, lodging and a modest per diem. During preseason training camp, rookies receive $1,075 per week and veterans receive $1,900 per week regardless of individual contracts.
The universal truth for draft picks, UFAs and tryout players alike is making the 53-man roster is the end game: For every week a player is on the roster, he receives 1/17th of his salary.
In the pecking order, priority undrafted free agents have a much better chance to achieve that goal than those who invited to camp. As one example, six of the Giants' 22 offensive and defensive starters during last week's three-day mincamp began their careers as UFAs.
Ryan Dunleavy may be reached at rdunleavy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.
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