The Cleveland Browns are about a month out from training camp, and second round pick Quinshon Judkins (36th overall) remains unsigned.
Despite this lack of pen-to-paper, Judkins has participated in every on-field event the Browns have held this offseason. If you have paid attention, this is not just an issue with Cleveland, but with nearly every second round pick around the NFL. And there is a reason why.
Defensive tackle Darius Alexander, the first pick of the third round, signed his rookie contract worth $6.7 million. He was given only $1.5 million in guaranteed money. Carson Schwesinger, who the Browns selected with the first pick in the second round, saw his entire rookie contract guaranteed. This is the same with the 34th overall pick, wide receiver Jayden Higgins, who received a fully guaranteed rookie contract.
The 35th overall pick? Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori. He remains unsigned. Every single second round pick behind Emmanwori has not signed their rookie deals yet either. So, Judkins is likely waiting for Emmanwori to sign. If Emmanwori signs a fully guaranteed rookie contract as well, then the Ohio State running back has the leverage to also push for a fully guaranteed contract.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Philadelphia Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba, who was the last pick of the second round has not signed yet either. Second round contracts have been bottlenecked from both ends. The Eagles are likely trying to use Alexander, the 65th overall pick, as a starting point for Mukuba’s contract. Then the dominoes could fall from that end.
However, Mukuba is likely waiting for every other second round contract to fall first. If every single other second round pick before him receives a guaranteed contract, then he, too, will push for one.
Something has to give. Either the Eagles win out and get Mukuba to sign a deal that has his guarantees prorated to that of Alexander, the first pick of the third round, or the Seahawks have to give Emmanwori a fully guaranteed contract.
Regardless, Judkins is far closer to the front end of the second round than the back end as the Browns expect him to be their starting running back. This means he’ll likely receive a fully guaranteed rookie contract unless Emmanwori folds. Teams won’t want this to bleed into training camp. With less than a month until then, expect progress soon.
