Pickering was signed a a league 1 player, but was given a new contract 3 years (and 2 Championship top 10 finishes) later under Broughton before the taps were turned off (same time as Adam Wharton & Szmodics contracts were extended). He will be above or around the current wage cap, similar story Pears
Ribeiro probably signed with that in mind, as a cheaper alternative
Cost was probably also the primary reason for why Pratt was originally in the team ahead of both, albeit he has worked out