Well not obvious to me:

My 75 club says: Room under cap: $34,193,512
Need for Draft Picks: $32,874,339

Does that mean I have $34m room in total OR was $34m but then remove the $32m for draft picks = $2m??? :(

$34 MIL in total for draft and any FA's you want to try for.

thanks :(

but i guess I could spend more on FAs and then simply not be able to afford some of the draft picks right? what happens then? does the player get picked by me but simply not turn up?

not for sure, but that would probably work

I believe you have until the preseason 1 or pre 1 mid-week to get the cap in check. If you are over the AI will cut the highest salary player(s) until cap is in the positive. Therefore, you would get to pick and keep your draft picks.

You do have the ability to void a draftee contract before training camp, which will cut him without any cap impact. Once you go through training camp you are on the hook for his bonus.

Unfortunately, you're also on the hook for the bonus if you trade a just drafted player prior to TC.

Technically you're still getting a benefit of having drafted him in this case.

The contract shouldn't be "signed" until TC.

That way if someone drafts the player you want right before you there is a chance you could throw in a little something else to swap picks (your pick for the player just drafted).

Similar to what is done all the time in real life. Trading the "draft rights" for a player without having to eat the bonus.

Thanks guys - least the original question is clear for me. Not good for my finances though :(