Nine second-round picks remain unsigned as rookie camps start to open

All 32 first-round picks have signed their rookie deals and only a few players drafted from Rounds 3-7 — most notably quarterbacks Malik Willis and Matt Corral — have not signed their four-year contracts. But nearly a third of the second-round draftees remain unsigned as rookie camps open.

The Falcons, Ravens, Chargers, Dolphins, Patriots, Saints, Giants and Jets begin their rookie camps Tuesday. That will soon classify Ravens outside linebacker David Ojabo as a holdout. In addition to Baltimore, six other teams — the Buccaneers, Packers, Titans, Seahawks, Vikings and Bears — have unsigned Round 2 picks.

The Jets and Saints have avoided holdout situations with their respective second-rounders — Breece Hall and Alontae Taylor — already on Tuesday. Here is the remaining unsigned contingent:

Baltimore Ravens

• No. 45: David Ojabo, OLB (Michigan)

Chicago Bears

• No. 48: Jaquan Brisker, S (Penn State)

Green Bay Packers

• No. 34: Christian Watson, WR (North Dakota State)

Minnesota Vikings

• No. 42: Andrew Booth, CB (Clemson)
• No. 59: Ed Ingram, G (LSU)

Seattle Seahawks

• No. 40: Boye Mafe, DE (Minnesota)
• No. 41: Kenneth Walker III, RB (Michigan State)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• No. 33: Logan Hall, DL (Houston)

Tennessee Titans

• No. 35: Roger McCreary, CB (Auburn)

Desmond Ridder also came to terms on his rookie deal Tuesday, avoiding a Falcons holdout situation. But, whereas third-rounders have less bargaining power due to only their signing bonuses being guaranteed, second-round picks have made inroads toward fully guaranteed contracts. Second-rounders have made gains since the 2011 CBA changed the rookie salary model. The player to start off the 2011 second round (Patriots wideout Ras-I Dowling) did not receive any fully guaranteed money beyond Year 2. But the 2022 offseason has brought substantial developments on this front.

Certain Round 2 picks’ guarantee structures have caused this year’s slowdown. In particular, the Texans’ decisions to guarantee three full years of No. 37 overall pick Jalen Pitre‘s rookie deal and give No. 44 choice John Metchie 56% of his third year guaranteed have understandably led to players drafted in these neighborhoods to clamor for the same structure.

With Pitre being drafted after Hall, Watson and McCreary, the agents for the Houston, North Dakota State and Auburn talents are undoubtedly calling for their clients to see three years fully guaranteed. Figures for Hall’s Jets deal are not known yet, beyond the usual slot-signing bonus numbers, but he likely received a third year of fully guaranteed salary. Last year, that slot received just 58% of Year 3 salary guaranteed, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes. Only seven second-rounders received even a partial Year 3 guarantee last year, illustrating the gains being made this offseason. The Hall, Watson and McCreary deals will likely reflect this soon.

The Falcons and Giants signed draftees chosen in this now-murky draft sector, and Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com notes both Arnold Ebiketie and Wan’Dale Robinson received guarantee bumps compared to the previous players chosen at these respective draft slots (Nos. 38 and 43). 

Just over 90% of Ebiketie’s third season is guaranteed, per Wilson, who adds just more than 60% of Robinson’s 2024 salary is guaranteed. These deals should provide road maps for the other second-round deals yet to be inked while giving future second-round picks more security.