In slightly less than seven days, each of the 32 NFL teams will be present for training camp commencement, and as that unfolds, the probability of several rookie impasses exists.
A grand sum of 257 athletes were designated throughout the 2025 NFL Draft activities, and from that collective figure, a sum of 31 athletes had not formally committed as of Thursday’s presence. The predominant quandary for the majority of participating teams lies in the hindrance of procuring contractual arrangements with their respective second-round selections. Out of the total of 32 athletes chosen in that round, a mere count of three had formally affirmed their rookie-level accords prior to the onset of Thursday morning’s activities. Nevertheless, the metaphorical avenues of release commenced over the course of the preceding two days, with a total of 18 individuals documenting their signatures in relation to their rookie stipulations, occurring on either July 17 or July 18.
As current parameters dictate, a sum of 12 athletes maintains their unsigned status, which correspondingly designates that 12 athletes retain the latent capacity to maintain a posture of non-commitment.
With that conceptualization acknowledged, let us embark on an assessment, conducted round by round, encompassing the athletes who have not yet formalized contractual arrangements, additionally addressing the potential for each athlete to successfully conclude an accord before the initiation of their team’s respective training camp. The Cincinnati Bengals constitute the singular team entity that has, as of yet, neglected to document the incorporation of their leading two draft selections, and, in apt correlation, we shall commence our examination with them.
Unsigned first-round picks (1)
- Bengals rookie report date: July 19
By this moment, knowledge of the existing circumstances has probably reached you. Discord is becoming more defined between Shemar Stewart and the Bengals organization. The team applied an unforeseen alteration in their treaty discussions with him by appending novel expressive structures to his negotiated terms, which hadn’t been enforced by the Bengals administration with their preceding couple of initial draft selections. Stewart demurs at including the new verbiage, the Bengals administration is committed to including it, and as a result, a situation of stagnancy has emerged. Stewart opted out of all organized team activities and while making an appearance, desisted participating during the compulsory minicamp. If at least one delegation does not relent imminently, the probability of Stewart resorting to a non-engagement posture is considerable.
For a subsequent consecutive annum, the statistic indicates that 31 initial-round draft recruits formally pledge allegiance prior to the 16th day of July, and in an analogously consistent configuration, the Bengals represent the singular team that is yet to enlist their leading draft choice under contractual agreement.
Agent’s Take: Breaking down exactly why Bengals’ Shemar Stewart remains only unsigned 2025 first-round pick
Joel Corry
Unsigned second-round picks (11)
36th: RB Quinshon Judkins, Browns (Rookie report date: July 18)
40th: QB Tyler Shough, Saints (Rookie report date: July 22)
46th: TE Terrance Ferguson, Rams (Rookie report date: July 22)
47th: CB Will Johnson, Cardinals (Rookie report date: July 22)
48th: OT Aireontae Ersery, Texans (Rookie report date: July 22)
49th: LB Demetrius Knight Jr., Bengals (Rookie report date: July 19)
51st: LB Nic Scourton, Panthers (Rookie report date: July 21)
52nd: LB Oluwafemi Oladejo, Titans (Rookie report date: July 22)
53rd: CB Benjamin Morrison, Buccaneers (Rookie report date: July 21)
63rd: Omarr Norman-Lott, Chiefs (Rookie report date: July 21)
64th: Andrew Mukuba, Eagles (Rookie report date: July 22)
Signed second-round picks (21)
33rd: LB Carson Schwesinger, Browns
34th: WR Jayden Higgins, Texans
35th: S Nick Emmanwori, Seahawks
37th: G Jonah Savaiinaea, Miami Dolphins
38th: RB TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots
39th: WR Luther Burden III, Bears
41st: DT T.J. Sanders, Bills
42nd: TE Mason Taylor, Jets
43rd: DT Alfred Collins, 49ers
44th: DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Cowboys
45th: DE J.T. Tuimoloau, Colts
50th: TE Elijah Arroyo, Seahawks
54th: OT Anthony Belton, Packers
55th: WR Tre Harris, Chargers
56th: OT Ozzy Trapilo, Bears
57th: G Tate Ratledge, Lions
58th: WR Jack Bech, Raiders
59th: LB Mike Green, Ravens
60th RB RJ Harvey, Broncos
61st: Trey Amos, Commanders
62nd: Shemar Turner, Bears
Thus, what instigates the protracted nature of second-round endorsement? Past National Football League representative Joel Corry clarified this particular inquiry in the span of the prior month, and revisiting it seems like an opportune temporal adjustment. Substantially, the hold-up can be attributed to assurances regarding contractual remuneration. The Texans made the determination to establish an unprecedented precedent with the accord they formalized with Jayden Higgins, and this decision precipitated an impediment throughout the entire sequence of second-round recruitment.
- Texans imprint history with Jayden Higgins’ stipulation. Every player designated during the initial selection phase is furnished with a completely secured rookie contractual commitment; yet, that precedent doesn’t extend to players designated during the second iteration. Or rather, it hadn’t, up until this calendar instance. When Higgins affirmed his contractual terms on the 8th of May, he was recognized as the inaugural second-round enlistment in the historical records of the NFL to be issued a totally assured rookie understanding, and he wasn’t the preliminary option of the second round in sequence. He was the auxiliary preference of the round, occupying the 34th overall positioning.
- Browns extend a parallel stipulation. Higgins’ treaty with the Texans relegated the Browns to a construct in which they were necessitated to issue a totally secured arrangement to Carson Schwesinger, the primary option of the second selection phase (33rd overall). The linebacker, in culmination, accrued a thoroughly secured stipulation, and what was possibly not coincidental, he secured it one day post Higgins’ formal signature on his official stipulation. In 2024, the foremost option of the second phase (Keon Coleman) merely got assurance for 95.7% of his contractual sum, but Schwesinger secured full coverage.
- Savaiinaea, Burden creates annals: Dolphins lineman Jonah Savaiinaea and Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III were the inaugural players positioned at their specific draft rankings to benefit from utterly assured contracts.
- Tyler Shough complicates prevailing parameters. The Saints’ quarterback was designated with the 40th overall designation, and he similarly desires a totally secured assurance given his probability as the team’s initiating quarterback this year. If Shough realizes 100% in guarantee assurances, then the players designated between the 35th and 39th designations will predictably argue they also merit a thoroughly secured guarantee. That prospect, although, will improbable be applicable to Quinshon Judkins. He was designated with the 36th overall designation by the Browns, but following his apprehension on July 12 in respect to troubling accounts of domestic disturbances, his capacity to demand a completely assured contractual sum will probably be negated. He may potentially encounter a temporary suspension as well. Jenkins neglected to report to the training gathering for the Browns rookies on Friday.
Saints rookie QB Tyler Shough on pressure of potentially being QB1: ‘You’re not going to faze me’
Cody Nagel
Following Shough’s arrangement, each selection in his range will cultivate a more fortified understanding of the magnitude of ensured funds they can realize. This situation presents appreciable intrigue, and a more complete understanding can be gained by studying Corry’s comprehensive analysis accessible here.
The 49ers were pivotal in expediting resolution within the second designation tier, securing an arrangement with Alfred Collins. Collins, holding the 43rd overall designate, witnessed a cascade of agreements materializing in the aftermath of his contractual execution, with a count of six seconds designations situated behind him documenting their incorporation into the League subsequent to his ratification.
