The years depend on where the player was drafted, here's the chart:

#1-#5 - 7 years
#6-#16 - 6 years
#17-#32 - 5 years
2nd round - 4 years
3rd round - 3 years
4th round - 3 years
5th round - 2 years
6th round - 2 years
7th round - 1 year

Those are the maximums, you can sign guys for less than that if you want.

Deadline is next Saturday at midnight.

http://madden09league.forummotion.com/rookie-signings-f16/baltimore-ravens-signings-t2354.htm?sid=3228b889f1a8b0246549df6978ca22c0

You can use that as a format.