The NFL has never seen anything like this. Ian Rapoport recently spoke about 30 of the 32 second-round picks not being signed to contracts yet, while a team like the Cincinnati Bengals is still struggling to lock up its first-round selection.
With only two second-round picks having contracts, the post-draft contract era has changed for good. The Houston Texans are to blame.
How Did Jayden Higgins’ Contract Change Everything for Second-Round Picks?
Only Jayden Higgins and Carson Schwesinger have signed their contracts out of the second-round draft picks. Higgins locked up a four-year, $11.7 million deal with Houston. While it doesn’t seem like anything crazy, the Texans are guaranteeing Higgins all of that money. That makes him the first ever second-round pick with a fully guaranteed deal.
Houston Texans and rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins have agreed to a fully guaranteed four-year $11,700,824 contract, per Chris Cabott of @EquitySports. Higgins is the first second-round pick in NFL history to have a fully guaranteed contract. pic.twitter.com/fyPM50BTbL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 8, 2025
Schwesinger followed shortly after with a very similar deal. He’ll make $11.79 million throughout the next four years, with all that also guaranteed.
The Browns and Texans organizations have set a new standard for second-round picks, with Los Angeles Chargers’ Tre Harris being the first to act out.
Why Is Tre Harris’ Holdout Different From Veteran Situations?
A holdout is entirely different in a situation like T.J. Watt or Trey Hendrickson. These are two proven players who have been loyal to their organization, but they’re upset with the way the team has handled their new contract. Refusing to participate in mandatory minicamp for a veteran is one thing, but it’s unprecedented for a rookie like Harris.
Now, in a holdout, the team doesn’t even have the option to fine Harris. He’s put himself in no danger, as Mike Florio pointed out, “Unsigned draft picks face no financial penalties for staying away from camp.” Since he’s not under contract and has never been with the team, it’s an entirely different situation altogether.
The deadline for #Chargers rookies to report is upon us and second round WR Tre Harris is officially a holdout, sources say.
With 30 of the 32 second-round picks unsigned because of a disagreement over guaranteed money, Harris makes the first official stand. pic.twitter.com/Z2PU9p0wEc
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 12, 2025
What Does This Mean for the Rest of the League?
Each team will handle the situation differently, but Harris and the Chargers have been getting the most attention. The No. 55 overall pick was the first rookie to hold out, and many more are likely to follow.
Not every organization will deliver a fully guaranteed contract to its second-round picks, which could set the stage for the wildest contract negotiation period the league has ever seen.
The situation in Cincinnati is even more intriguing as they’re dealing with this for both their first and second-round picks. While they already have the Hendrickson situation going on, now they have their hands tied with their first two rookie selections.
Each front office has the Texans and Browns organizations to thank for the spot they’ve put themselves in, as they may have no choice but to give their second-round pick a fully guaranteed deal.
