Compensation pool to pay out $128 million to NFL players
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}NEW YORK (AP) NFL players will receive $127.84 million in performance-based bonuses for the 2016 season, led by a payout of $371,783 to Falcons cornerback Brian Poole.
The payments compensate players based on their playing time for their salary levels. Poole was an undrafted free agent who became a regular on the NFC champions' defense.
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott, the Offensive Rookie of the Year who helped the Cowboys to the NFC East title, earned a $353,544 payoff. Prescott was a fourth-round draft pick.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Among nonrookies, another Falcon, safety Ricardo Allen, got the biggest bonus from the collectively bargained pool, $342,712.
In addition, the players' union is channeling $32 million in benefits to veterans. Oakland guard Gabe Jackson earned the top payout from that fund, $91,475.
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