In the history of the NFL, no second round draft pick received a fully guarenteed contract until this year. The Houston Texans broke the mold when they inked WR Jayden Higgins to the first fully guaranteed contract ever for someone outside of the first round. Higgins was the second selection in that round, which left the Cleveland Browns with no choice but to give LB Carson Schwesinger, selected one pick earlier, a deal that was also guaranteed.
With Browns rookies set to report to camp today, RB
Quinshon Judkins has not signed his deal and is now dealing with an arrest for domestic violence. With the Seattle Seahawks signing S Nick Emmanwori, the 35th pick, to a fully guaranteed contract, the eyes of the football world are back on Cleveland and what they will do with Judkins.
As of now, the first three picks in the second round received the (prior to this season) historic contracts, but what about Judkins?
Not only does the legal matter create an extra layer of scrutiny on what the team and agent will agree to, but the next four picks in the second round are still unsigned and will likely want to wait to see if the Browns also guarantee Judkins’ deal:
- Pick 37 - OL Jonah Savaiinaea - Miami Dolphins
- Pick 38 - RB TreVeyon Henderson - New England Patriots
- Pick 39 - WR Luther Burden III - Chicago Bears
- Pick 40 - QB Tyler Shough - New Orleans Saints
The 41st pick is signed to a deal that is not totally guaranteed, which means these five draft picks are the last ones to potentially receive that sort of deal this year.
Shough is an interesting case to watch as the Saints expect the rookie (with a lot of college experience) to compete for their starting job. It is possible that New Orleans jumps the line to get a deal done with their second-round selection to make sure he is in camp. While front offices and owners are often fighting any change to precedent, the goal is to win on the field. Getting Shough into training camp on time might be a higher priority for the Saints.
Unless that happens, the Dolphins, Patriots, Bears and Saints could be waiting until Cleveland figures out how to handle Judkins’ contract with the looming legal trouble. Browns fans shouldn’t expect Judkins to report today. Without a contract, Judkins cannot participate in any activities with the team.
Whether Judkins’ contract holds up the rest of the top of the 2025 NFL draft’s second round will be a story worth watching.
More from dawgsbynature.com:
- ESPN drops some news about the Browns’ quarterback situation
- NFL picks and predictions for Week 2
- Daily Dawg Chow: Browns news (9/16/16)
- Browns’ Color Rush uniforms unveiled, but Cleveland won’t get to wear them in 2016
- Film Study: Browns’ only TD drive vs. Eagles
- Film Study: Browns’ 1st three offensive series vs. Eagles - All 3-and-outs, with a botched fake
- Daily Dawg Chow: Browns news (9/15/16)
