NFL Second-Rounders Secure Guaranteed Contract Boost

The 2023 NFL draft saw a notable shift in the contract negotiations for second-round picks. It all started with Texans receiver Jayden Higgins, who managed to increase the guaranteed money in his contract from 91.9% to a full 100%. This set off a domino effect, as the rest of the second-round selections followed suit and secured higher guaranteed percentages in their deals.

The process was not without its challenges, as teams and players waited until just before training camp to finalize the contracts. The first player to break the mold was 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins, who signed a deal that guaranteed 88.02% of his four-year contract as the 11th pick in the round. This figure then became the new baseline for those selected before him and the ceiling for those taken after.

Ultimately, all second-round picks, except for Browns running back Quinshon Judkins, were able to secure a boost in the guaranteed money in their contracts. Judkins is the only one who has yet to sign, but he is expected to receive a fully guaranteed deal like the first eight players taken in the round.

This trend suggests that the first 40 players drafted each year may soon be receiving four-year, fully guaranteed contracts, a significant shift in the NFL's contract landscape.