In less than a week, all 32 NFL teams will have checked in for preseason preparations. Even then, there could be a few rookie standoffs.
A total of 257 players were named in the 2025 NFL Draft, but 31 players had yet to sign as of Thursday. The difficulty for most teams is they haven’t been able to finalize their second-round selection’s contract. Of the 32 players selected in that round, only three had signed their rookie deal before Thursday morning. However, the pace accelerated over the past three days with 22 signing their rookie deals during that time.
Currently, eight players haven’t signed, which suggests eight players could still refuse to report.
Considering that, let’s examine the unsigned players round-by-round and assess if each player might be able to finalize a deal before their team begins preseason preparations.
Unsigned first-round picks (1)
- Bengals rookie report date: July 19
You’re likely aware of the ongoing issues. Tensions are rising between Shemar Stewart and the Bengals. The team introduced an unexpected change in their contract discussions with him by adding unique stipulations to his contract that the Bengals didn’t incorporate with their previous two first-round selections. Stewart is against the inclusion of these stipulations, the Bengals are for them, resulting in a deadlock. Stewart was absent for all OTAs and, despite appearing, didn’t participate in mandatory minicamp. Unless one side concedes soon, a Stewart holdout seems highly probable.
For the second consecutive year, 31 first-round draft selections have signed by July 16, and again, the Bengals are the sole team yet to secure a contract with their first-round selection.
Agent’s Perspective: Detailed explanation of why Bengals’ Shemar Stewart remains the only unsigned 2025 first-round selection
Joel Corry
Unsigned second-round picks (7)
36th: RB Quinshon Judkins, Browns (Rookie report date: July 18)
47th: CB Will Johnson, Cardinals (Rookie report date: July 22)
48th: OT Aireontae Ersery, Texans (Rookie report date: July 22)
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)
64th: Andrew Mukuba, Eagles (Rookie report date: July 22)
Signed second-round picks (25)
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
40th: QB Tyler Shough, Saints
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
46th: TE Terrance Ferguson, Rams
49th: LB Demetrius Knight Jr., Bengals
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
63rd: Omarr Norman-Lott, Chiefs
What is causing the second-round impasse? Former NFL agent Joel Corry addressed this last month, and it’s beneficial to revisit. The standstill primarily revolves around contract assurances. The Texans’ unprecedented move with Jayden Higgins’ contract complicated matters for the entire second round.
- Texans set a new precedent with Jayden Higgins’ contract. All first-round selections receive fully guaranteed rookie contracts, but second-round selections do not. However, this changed this year. With his contract signed on May 8, Higgins became the first second-round selection in NFL history to receive a fully guaranteed rookie deal, despite not being the first pick of the second round. He was the second at 34th overall.
- Browns offer a similar agreement. Higgins’ contract with the Texans required the Browns to offer a fully guaranteed contract to Carson Schwesinger, the first pick in the second round (33rd overall). The linebacker received a fully guaranteed agreement, seemingly one day after Higgins officially signed his contract. In 2024, the first pick of the second round (Keon Coleman) received only 95.7% of his contract guaranteed, but Schwesinger received 100%.
- Savaiinaea, Burden set milestones: Dolphins guard Jonah Savaiinaea and Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III achieved fully-guaranteed contracts, a first for their respective draft positions.
- Tyler Shough complicates matters: The Saints quarterback, selected with the 40th overall pick, sought a fully guaranteed agreement due to his potential role as the team’s starting quarterback this year. This action triggered a chain reaction of second-round picks seeking fully guaranteed agreements, particularly for those selected between the 35th and 39th picks. However, Browns running back Quinshon Judkins, the 36th overall pick, is an exception after his arrest on July 12 for a concerning domestic violence charge. Judkins may face NFL suspension and did not report for preseason preparations with other Browns rookies on Friday.
Shough reportedly received his desired fully guaranteed agreement on Saturday, including a roster bonus structure absent in any first-round agreements. This will enable Shough to receive the majority of his annual compensation during the first week of preseason preparations.
