BobCarl

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

Blaine 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.

Rams Bros.@RamsBrothers
Even on 3rd and short [Adams] gets open so damn quick. Always has

“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

InvaderRam wrote:

zn wrote:

The 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.

Breaking: 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

They do the Rams at 5:13 in.

…

2025 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 Browns

wv wrote:

Higby 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

Andrew 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.

wv wrote:

Rams 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.

10 Observations from Rams’ second open 2025 OTA practice: Tutu Atwell capitalizing on opportunities, Emmanuel Forbes’ playmaking and Terrance Ferguson’s touchdown catch

Stu Jackson

https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-from-rams-second-open-2025-ota-practice-tutu-atwell-capitalizing-on-opportunities-emmanuel-forbes-playmaking-and-terrance-ferguson-s-touchdown-catch

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – The Rams held their second OTA practice on Tuesday. Wide receiver Tutu Atwell made the most of the opportunities that went his way, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. effectively picked up where he left off in the first OTA practice, and rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson had one of the best catches of the day.

Here are some of the notes and observations from it:

1) Foundational context: As mentioned in the first 10 observations of the spring, Los Angeles mixes it up in team drills with the projected first-team offense facing the projected second-team defense, the projected second-team offense facing the projected first-team defense, and so on.

2) Atwell’s reliable hands: The fifth-year wide receiver made noise in the first OTA practice for hauling in a deep touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford, but today it was for his success on the other end of Stafford’s short and intermediate throws, catching the first four passes thrown his way.

3) Forbes continues to shine: A pass breakup early in team drills on a Jimmy Garoppolo pass intended for rookie wide receiver Mario Williams drew praise from head coach Sean McVay afterward. Between that moment and Forbes’ interception in the first OTA practice, the third-year cornerback has impressed this spring.

4) Stafford sharp: What you’d expect from a 17-year veteran quarterback, but the biggest example of this was the way he threaded the needed between multiple defenders for his first completion to Atwell. He later had a pinpoint throw to wide receiver Britain Covey in team drills.

5) Play of the day: Stafford connecting with tight end Terrance Ferguson on a back-shoulder throw in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown during the team’s competitive “mamba” period during red zone drills.

6) Play of the day, Part II: After misconnecting with running back Kyren Williams on a potential touchdown, Stafford zipped the ball through a tight window over the middle to tight end Tyler Higbee for the touchdown the very next play in that same mamba period.

7) Almost: Veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon nearly came up with an interception on the very first play of team drills when Garoppolo’s pass went through wide receiver Britain Covey’s hands and almost into his.

8) Almost, Part II: Forbes was also active in the mamba period, nearly picking off a juggled pass.

9) Fiske in action: Defensive end Braden Fiske was an active participant in Tuesday’s workout.

“He’s been awesome, he’s gotten out there on the grass, taken a few reps these last few days, and he just looks like himself,” defensive coordinator Chris Shula said.

10) Another special guest in attendance: Rams legend and former left tackle Andrew Whitworth was on hand for Tuesday’s workout, taking some time to give pointers to the offensive linemen before watching practice from the sidelines.