Most of the picks from the April NFL draft, except for the second selection, initially remained unsigned as rookies started arriving for training camp. Now, over half of these players have signed contracts.
Luther Burden III’s four-year contract with the Chicago Bears stands out, valued at $10.965 million. As the 39th overall pick, Burden is the lowest drafted player ever to receive a fully guaranteed deal. Others chosen after him have deals with only partial guarantees.
Training camps are opening across the NFL, and we’re monitoring how this unique situation unfolds.
Some highlighted contracts include:
– No. 33 LB Carson Schwesigner, Cleveland Browns: a fully guaranteed $11.8 million four-year deal signed May 9.
– No. 34 WR Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans: a fully guaranteed $11.7 million four-year deal reported May 8.
– No. 35 S Nick Emmanwori, Seattle Seahawks: fully guaranteed $11.6 million over four years, signed July 17.
– No. 36 RB Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns: unsigned due to an arrest on domestic violence charges.
– No. 37 G Jonah Savaiinaea, Miami Dolphins: four-year fully guaranteed contract.
– No. 38 RB Treveyon Henderson, Ohio: fully guaranteed four-year deal.
– No. 39 WR Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears: $10.965 million over four years.
– No. 40 QB Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints: fully guaranteed $10.795 million contract.
– No. 41 DT TJ Sanders, Buffalo Bills: unsigned.
– No. 42 TE Mason Taylor, New York Jets: four years, 91.3% guaranteed, $10.46 million.
– No. 43 DT Alfred Collins, San Francisco 49ers: $10.3 million contract with $9 million guaranteed.
– No. 44 DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Dallas Cowboys: four years, $10.1 million, approximately $8.1 million guaranteed.
– No. 45 DE JT Tuimoloau, Indianapolis Colts: four-year contract.
– No. 46 TE Terrance Ferguson, Los Angeles Rams: agent confirmed $8.5 million guaranteed on a $9.7 million deal.
– No. 47 CB Will Johnson, Arizona Cardinals: unsigned.
– No. 48 OT Aireontae Ersery, Houston Texans: four-year, $9.2 million contract.
– No. 49 LB Demetrius Knight, Cincinnati Bengals: four-year deal.
– No. 50 TE Elijah Arroyo, Seattle Seahawks: $6.872 million guaranteed on $8.813 million four-year deal.
– No. 51 DE Nic Scourton, Carolina Panthers: four-year contract.
– No. 52 DE Oluwafemi Oladejo, Tennessee Titans: unsigned.
– No. 53 CB Benjamin Morrison, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: unsigned.
– No. 54 OT Anthony Belton, Green Bay Packers: rookie contract signed.
– No. 55 WR Tre Harris, Los Angeles Chargers: signed; only holdout from the second round.
– No. 56 OT Ozzy Trapilo, Chicago Bears: four-year deal; first two years fully guaranteed, third year 72% guaranteed.
– No. 57 G Tate Ratledge, Detroit Lions: signed.
– No. 58 WR Jack Bech, Las Vegas Raiders: four-year contract, details pending.
– No. 59 LB Mike Green, Baltimore Ravens: signed.
– No. 60 RB RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos: four years, $7.36 million, first two years fully guaranteed, third year 47.7% guaranteed.
– No. 61 CB Trey Amos, Washington Commanders: signed.
– No. 62 DT Shemataner, Chicago Bears: four-year contract, details pending.
– No. 63 DT Omarr Norman-Lott, Kansas City Chiefs: signed rookie contract.
– No. 64 S Andrew Mukuba, Philadelphia Eagles: unsigned.
Fan Take: This wave of fully guaranteed rookie contracts signals a potential shift in how NFL teams handle draft picks, emphasizing security and commitment. For fans, it promises greater stability for rising stars and could reshape player-team dynamics in the coming years.
