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June 8, 2025 at 2:54 pm in reply to: interviews: Verse, Avila, Fiske, Dotson, Higbee, Turner, Lake x 2, Nacua, Whit #156756
znModeratorznModeratorAs the #Dolphins and star CB Jalen Ramsey continue to work towards a trade, Ramsey is not planning to attend mandatory minicamp this week, sources say. He’ll stay away, as the situation works to a conclusion. pic.twitter.com/To0BV3pHUs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 8, 2025
znModeratorAaron Donald put Jared Verse through an intense workout and shared a video of their battle https://t.co/RYGzQR6m2o pic.twitter.com/Vo3oBtDPuK
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) June 8, 2025
[from the article linked above]: Donald shared a video from their workout and it looked as intense as you’d expect.
[link to that vid]:
znModeratorBobCarl
from Nate Kessler | June 8, 2025
We’re two months removed from the 2025 NFL Draft—and something’s not right.
As of today, only two second-round picks have signed their rookie contracts. The other 30 are still in limbo, caught in one of the most widespread signing delays in recent draft history.What’s going on?
The New Standard: Fully Guaranteed
It started when the Houston Texans signed WR Jayden Higgins (No. 34 overall) to a fully guaranteed four-year deal—a historic move for a second-round pick. A day later, the Cleveland Browns matched it with LB Carson Schwesinger (No. 33).
That one-two punch changed everything.
Now, every agent representing a second-rounder is holding the line. They’re demanding the same treatment. Why should Pick 38 or 45 settle for partial guarantees when Pick 34 got the whole bag?
The Contract Cold War
NFL rookie contracts are technically slotted under the CBA—but how much of that contract is guaranteed is still negotiable. That’s where the friction lives.
Teams are pushing back. Many GMs feel like full guarantees in Round 2 will mess with long-term cap flexibility. Some ownership groups just don’t want to be the next to “give in.” So, negotiations stall. Rookie camps begin. And the ink stays dry.
A League-Wide Logjam
It’s not just one or two teams dragging their feet. It’s systemic. There are 30 unsigned.
That’s an extraordinary backlog—and it could last until right before training camps. Some agents are even advising their clients to skip team activities unless full guarantees are agreed upon.
What’s at Stake?
While a few second-rounders are showing up to workouts under waiver agreements (more on that in another piece), most are staying away. The injury risk without a contract is too great.
This standoff isn’t just about money—it’s about leverage, precedent, and the future of rookie compensation. The NFL may be headed toward a new normal in contract negotiations, and second-round picks are now the battleground.
Nate Kessler is an AI-generated sports analyst specializing in NFL contracts, draft strategy, and player development. Find more of Nate’s work wherever contract ink runs dry.
A side note by Nate:
Terrance Ferguson – TE (No. 46 overall)
Los Angeles selected tight end Terrance Ferguson out of Oregon with the 46th pick in Round 2
As of mid-May, the Rams signed four of their draft selections—but that did not include Ferguson .
Sources indicate his deal (like other 2nd-rounders) could be caught up in the current negotiation freeze over full guarantees.
Meanwhile, Ferguson has been participating in OTAs and gaining praise from coaches—while Tyler Higbee remains the Rams’ top TE entering the season
znModeratorMy little guess is that Arizona will be better than expected.
SF can still make noise. They could have a winning season. We’ll see on that one, it depends on a lot of things.
We might be back to those relatively recent years where people talked about how tough the NFC West was.
znModeratorAnd the media ignored it. This accusation is going nowhere
Arguably, the media can’t ignore Musque saying it. We can probably agree that this will never lead to any legal repercussions.
znModeratorPFF@PFF
Ranking the Top 10 guards in the league todayfrom PFF Guard Rankings: Top 32 ahead of the 2025 NFL season https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-guard-rankings-top-32-ahead-of-2025-nfl-season
8. Kevin Dotson, Los Angeles Rams
Since landing in Los Angeles in 2023, Dotson has had a career renaissance as a run blocker. Over that span, he has finished in the top five in PFF run-blocking grade each season, posting an 83.0-plus grade on both zone and gap concepts. His cumulative 88.3 PFF run-blocking grade over the past two seasons ranks third among qualifying guards.znModeratorBlaine Grisak@bgrisakTST
I feel very conflicted about the Rams pass defense, specifically the DBs.Eye-test says they definitely need an upgrade.
…but from Weeks 7-17, they allowed the 5th lowest passer rating, 7th lowest net yards per attempt, and 8th lowest completion percentage.
znModeratorfrom 2025 NFL GM rankings: Analysis for all 32 teams — https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/football/news/rotopats-2025-nfl-gm-rankings-analysis-for-all-32-teams
3. Sean McVay/Les Snead, Rams
Football eras tend to be defined by quarterbacks. That’s one of just many ways Sean McVay has been a mold breaker. No one would call this Rams project the “Jared Goff years” or “Matthew Stafford epoch.” But don’t be fooled: McVay had a franchise player. Aaron Donald will soon be an inner-circle Hall-of-Famer. Donald anchoring the defense provided McVay with an unusually large margin of team-building error. His retirement left McVay with not only a crater along the defensive line, but the need for an entirely new approach to roster-building. Consider the first test passed. Marking a first-round pick together for the first time during their eight-year partnership, McVay and GM Les Snead … drafted the defensive rookie of the year, Jared Verse. Although Verse was an EDGE rusher to Donald’s interior menace, second-rounder Braden Fiske spent more time at tackle. He finished third in DROY voting. Alrighty then. It was just the latest confirmation there is no football problem too big for McVay to solve. Quarterback issues, offensive line woes, assistants constantly departing for head-coaching jobs … McVay has weathered it all. McVay has made plenty of mistakes — see his history of trade and free agent additions at receiver — but he always admits them quickly. McVay doesn’t get bogged down by the sunk cost fallacy or “the way we’ve always done things.” He adapts. And wins. A lot.
znModeratorI’m incapable of taking any of this at face value. It all seems like theatre to me.
It’s real.
znModeratorRanking the Top 10 guards in the league today 🛡️ pic.twitter.com/blqh6BslLe
— PFF (@PFF) June 6, 2025
znModeratorRams Bros.@RamsBrothers
Even on 3rd and short [Adams] gets open so damn quick. Always hasznModerator1. Georgia – 55
2. Alabama – 44Which schools have produced the most NFL prospects since 2021:https://t.co/iAlfIZFLmp
— PFF (@PFF) June 6, 2025
znModerator“Jalen Hurts is a BIG factor in their base run game…”
“…this is not talked about enough. They are a FOUR down offense.”@GregCosell talks about the two biggest secrets to the Eagles success: pic.twitter.com/y1lD1OfS20
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) June 6, 2025
znModeratorPro Football Focus’ Mason Cameron ranked the former 2018 UDFA at No. 19 amongst the top 32 centers ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
After one season with the Bears, Shelton finds himself back in Los Angeles, hoping to replicate the success he found in his time away. His 66.4 PFF overall grade with the Bears was a top-15 mark at the position. Shelton’s solid all-around play earned him a top-10 finish in PFF WAR (0.20), as well as 66.0-plus PFF grades as a pass protector and a run blocker.
znModeratorHere’s another one! I can’t wait to see what’s next! 👀 🍿 pic.twitter.com/uaWjgihfCt
— 💙Brittney💙 (@AZ_Brittney) June 5, 2025
znModeratorProbably the best post I’ve seen since Elon Musk bought this dumpster fire!
Like and Repost if you agree! 👍 pic.twitter.com/NlhresBkrd
— 💙Brittney💙 (@AZ_Brittney) June 5, 2025
znModeratorThe problem is outside speed. Whittington and Mumpfield are not burners.
i do wonder if ferguson could be a downfield target. he’s got good speed combined with good size. too fast for a linebacker and too much size for a defensive back. plus a qb with the arm to find him down field.
znModeratorWyatt Miller@wymill07
Chris Shula on defensive additions:“Poona Ford has been great, he runs to the ball, he’s got the easy power, he gets off, he plays the run, he’s probably a better rusher than we anticipated. Nathan Landman has been excellent with his communication on the second level.”
znModeratorBreaking: Aaron Rodgers plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, sources told @AdamSchefter.
This ends the months of uncertainty around his future and unites the future Hall of Famer with a team that desperately needs a quarterback. https://t.co/HB3179GNXp
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 5, 2025
June 5, 2025 at 2:40 pm in reply to: the “healthcare” industry (thread includes entire film “Sicko” for free) #156714znModeratorToday I learned: UnitedHealth paid nursing homes to let patients die, pressured nursing homes to forge DNR orders for senile patients, and penalized staff for transferring patients to hospitals.
This is cartoon-villain evil.https://t.co/TBqf7lugrJ
— franklin veaux (@franklinveaux) June 5, 2025
znModeratorThey do the Rams at 5:13 in.
…
znModeratorfrom PFF, Ranking each NFL team’s top QB-WR/TE duo ahead of the 2025 season: https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-top-quarterback-wide-receiver-tight-end-duos-2025?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhtwitter&utm_content=null
9. LOS ANGELES RAMS: MATTHEW STAFFORD & PUKA NACUA
Stafford came in at No. 7 in PFF’s quarterback rankings for 2025, while Nacua placed fifth in the wide receiver rankings. Over the past two seasons, Stafford has recorded a 92.1 PFF passing grade when targeting Nacua, which ranks ninth among these listed duos. His 2,390 passing yards to Nacua rank fifth, and his 12 big-time throws rank 10th. Nacua also led the NFL last season with a 93.0 PFF receiving grade.znModerator2025 NFL Roster Rankings (PFF)
1. Philadelphia Eagles
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. Detroit Lions
4. Kansas City Chiefs
5. Buffalo Bills
6. Los Angeles Rams
7. Houston Texans
8. Minnesota Vikings
9. Denver Broncos
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
11. Washington Commanders
12. Los Angeles Chargers
13. Green Bay Packers
14. San Francisco 49ers
15. Dallas Cowboys
16. Atlanta Falcons
17. Chicago Bears
18. Cincinnati Bengals
19. Arizona Cardinals
20. Indianapolis Colts
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
22. Seattle Seahawks
23. Las Vegas Raiders
24. Miami Dolphins
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
26. New England Patriots
27. New York Giants
28. New York Jets
29. Carolina Panthers
30. New Orleans Saints
31. Tennessee Titans
32. Cleveland BrownsJune 5, 2025 at 11:28 am in reply to: a late start…time for the thread on Trump atrocities, or “Trumpocities” #156708znModeratorWeatherman Warns Viewers on Live TV That He Might Not Be Able to Accurately Predict Hurricanes This Season. Here’s Why
John Morales, a meteorologist with NBC affiliate WTVJ, said hurricane forecasts will be significantly impacted “because of the cuts” to NOAA and the National Weather Servicehttps://people.com/weatherman-warns-viewers-live-tv-predicting-hurricanes-this-season-11748057
znModeratorHigby gets ignored by nonram fans.
But if he can get back in top form they could really have a top notch offense.I loved the Higbee play last year where it’s his first game back, it’s the Jets, and he catches one in a short red zone play short of both the first down and the goal line. He rumbles for some yards but is about to be stopped–so leaps in for the TD. You could just see that he wanted it so bad after so much time off.
Tyler Higbee with the go-ahead TD in his first game back from injury!@NFL | @RamsNFL | #LARvsNYJpic.twitter.com/SwLubWqNtg
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) December 22, 2024
znModeratorAfter Jared Verse challenged Aaron Donald to work out with him (“he’s not ready for that”), Donald responds by inviting him over to his home to put him through “the old man retirement workout.”
😂💀
(Via AD’s IG story) pic.twitter.com/J7gfV9lFol
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) June 4, 2025
znModeratorAndrew Whitworth@AndrewWhitworth
Felt good to be back out there with the fellas at @RamsNFL OTAs.There’s something about being on that field—seeing the work, the bond, the grind—that hits different. Reminds you why you fell in love with this game in the first place. “Chasing something bigger than all of us—while becoming the best version of yourself along the way!”
“We then me!!”
The standard is being built every rep.
znModeratorRams' Puka Nacua is learning a lot from new teammate Davante Adams https://t.co/vCgfLHrWyd
— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) June 4, 2025
znModeratorRams are the last team Mina looks at in the vid
They emphasize Ford, which is a good point. It’s worth noting that to work on the same problem–run defense–the Rams also signed or acquired Nat Landman, Chris Paul, and Shaun Dolac.
So we’ll see if time will tell.
Mina, it should be noted, made no literary references. No Monkey’s Paw, no nuthin. Yet another sign that civilization is collapsing.
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