As rookies begin reporting to NFL training camps, most of the league’s 2025 second-round picks remain unsigned.
On Tuesday, rookies from six teams — Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks — reported, joining Los Angeles Chargers rookies, who opened camp on Saturday.
By next Wednesday, all 32 teams will be in camp, yet 30 of the league’s second-round picks are still waiting to sign a contract.
Earlier this offseason, Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger and Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins signed fully guaranteed deals, which other front offices have balked at handing to their second-rounders.
With training camps approaching for the entire league, teams can’t allow their rookie contract disputes to linger.
Here are five who a prolonged stand-off could most impact.
Chicago Bears
The Bears had three second-round picks, using them on wide receiver Luther Burden III (No. 39), offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (No. 56) and defensive tackle Shemar Turner (No. 62). Playing in the NFC North, arguably the NFL’s toughest division, Chicago needs its top young talent in the building to be a factor in head coach Ben Johnson’s first season.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins targeted guard Jonah Savaiinaea in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, sending the Las Vegas Raiders three 2025 picks (Nos. 48, 98 and 135) for Nos. 37 and 143, using its first acquired pick to select the 2024 All-Big 12 honorable mention lineman.
Last season, Miami had one of the league’s worst offensive lines, placing No. 28 in ESPN’s pass-block win rate rankings and No. 26 in run-block win rate. The Dolphins must be better in the trenches to become a legitimate division contender, but they’ll likely remain mediocre (or worse) the longer they keep Savaiinaea at the negotiating table and off the practice field.
New York Jets
First-year Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has praised tight end Mason Taylor, selected No. 42 overall this offseason, raving about the former LSU Tigers standout’s pass-catching and blocking abilities, traits that could make him difficult to keep off the field. But his development could be stunted by missing valuable training camp sessions, forcing him to spend his rookie season playing catch-up.
New Orleans Saints
Selected at No. 40 overall, Tyler Shough was the third quarterback taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. As first-year Saints head coach Kellen Moore’s handpicked option, many anticipate him to beat out second-year pro Spencer Rattler and third-year vet Jake Haener for the starting gig, although those plans could be altered if Shough holds out.
If the Saints want to give Shough an honest chance of being their Week 1 starter, they need him to lead the first-team offense in training camp beginning next Tuesday.
Seattle Seahawks
As with the Dolphins, the Seahawks imparted their thoughts on their top second-round pick, safety Nick Emmanwori, by trading Nos. 52 and 82 to move up 17 spots and select the defensive back with the third pick (No. 35 overall) of Round 2. The Seahawks also selected Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo at No. 50.
On Emmanwori, ESPN NFL Draft expert Matt Miller wrote in his post-draft analysis, “It’s easy to imagine his downhill speed and playmaking ability in a Kyle Hamilton-type role.”
Hamilton was named first-team All-Pro in 2023 with Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald as his defensive coordinator. Emmanwori couldn’t have asked for a better environment to begin his pro career, but it will be on hold until either the Seahawks or his representatives make a move.
