2024 NFL Draft News & Rumors

Bears Sign No. 1 Pick Caleb Williams

JULY 17, 2:45pm: Once again, we have a report Williams has agreed to terms with the Bears. This latest offering, from NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, comes after a report the highly touted passer attempted to become the first rookie to receive a no-tag clause in his first NFL deal. The Bears balked, potentially putting this issue to bed for other No. 1 picks for a while, and have their new starter under contract. The team have since announced the signing.

11:58am: While Williams’ deal is expected to be completed soon, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes some minor issues remain unresolved. The lawyer representing Williams is not especially experienced with NFL contracts, per Florio, complicating this process to a degree. Though, the No. 1 pick is on track to collect his full signing bonus not long after the deal is finalized. It does not appear like that has happened just yet.

JULY 16: Hours after Rome Odunze‘s signature on his rookie contract, Caleb Williams is putting pen to paper as well. The Bears are also signing their No. 1 overall pick to his rookie deal Tuesday, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets.

This will be a fully guaranteed four-year deal worth $39.49MM. While this is a fraction of what No. 1 picks commanded before the 2011 CBA reshaped rookie pacts, Williams’ slot price sits higher than anyone drafted since. The Bears, who traded Justin Fields to make room for the 2022 Heisman winner, now have this year’s top draftee signed through 2027.

[RELATED: Five 2024 Draft Choices Remain Unsigned]

Williams marks the latest QB swing from a Bears team that has been unable to find a true franchise-level option. Fields showed some improvement last season, but Williams’ ceiling is viewed as considerably higher. Chicago’s whiff on Mitch Trubisky remains one of the modern draft era’s most infamous transactions, seeing as Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson were drafted soon after. The team’s Jay Cutler trade, which cost two first-round picks and change, produced one playoff berth in eight seasons. A 2023 Panthers trade, however, changed Chicago’s fortunes and led to a rare opportunity.

The Bears did pass on C.J. Stroud by sending the Panthers the 2023 top pick, leading to Carolina choosing Bryce Young. Although GM Ryan Poles attempted to give Fields a shot at making a case to be the team’s long-term option, the Panthers finishing 2-15 changed the Bears’ plans. Few expected Chicago to seriously entertain trading out of No. 1 for a second straight year, and the team did not. The Bears instead unloaded Fields — for a price (a conditional sixth-round pick) much lower than most anticipated — to clear the decks for Williams. With no notable backup in place, the former Lincoln Riley pupil will move into Chicago’s starting lineup soon.

The Bears already named Williams their starter, though that status was never in doubt. The former Oklahoma recruit-turned-USC superstar had established himself as the clear-cut top option in this year’s class during his 2022 Heisman-winning season. Williams did not fare as well as a junior, but he did not do enough to fall in the draft. This year’s spree of draft rumors centered around five quarterbacks, not six, as Williams-to-Chicago was an open secret for weeks.

Although some evaluators referred to Williams’ Combine interviews as “not great,” the dynamic talent was never closely connected to any team but the Bears. That set him apart from Young last year, as the Panthers were also tied to Stroud and Anthony Richardson, and placed Williams closer to the Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow levels. Williams’ supporting cast looks better than both those talents coming in.

Williams totaled 4,537 passing yards, with a 42-5 TD-INT ratio, during his Heisman season. Although the Trojans took a step back in 2023 by losing five of their final six regular-season games, Williams still closed with a 30-5 TD-INT ratio and improved his completion percentage from 66.6% to 68.6%. Williams’ yards per attempt number (9.4) also bettered his Heisman average (9.1). Williams averaged at least nine yards per pass in each of his three college seasons.

The 6-foot-1, 214-pound passer will now team with one of the top receiver groups in Bears history, with Chicago adding Keenan Allen and Odunze to a group fronted by D.J. Moore. The Bears also have Cole Kmet and ex-Shane Waldron charge Gerald Everett rostered at tight end. After Trubisky and Fields struggled with limited pass-catching help, Williams will begin an attempt to reverse this franchise’s miserable modern QB history with a deep array of weaponry.

Going into training camp, here is how the Bears’ 2024 draft class looks:

Jets Sign Round 3 WR Malachi Corley, Complete Draft Class Deals

We are now down to four unsigned rookies. Entering Wednesday morning, two third-round draftees had not provided signatures on their rookie deals; that list is trimmed to one.

The Jets now have Malachi Corley under contract, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. The team agreed to terms with the No. 65 overall pick on a four-year rookie deal. The terms of the wide receiver’s pact will likely precede a near-future Cardinals agreement with the final unsigned third-rounder, running back Trey Benson.

Corley will compete for the Jets’ slot receiver post, with Xavier Gipson representing the Western Kentucky alum’s main competition during training camp. The Jets have notable plans for Corley, however, as their Day 2 investment showed. The team began making calls on potentially trading up for the mid-major product at No. 45.

Ranked in Daniel Jeremiah’s final NFL.com top 50, Corley joins Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams as the top Jets receiver investments. Corley contributed to Bailey Zappe‘s record-setting 2021 season but became a bigger part of the Hilltoppers’ offense over the past two years. He totaled 101 receptions for 1,295 yards in 2022 and added 79 grabs for 984 yards last season. Snaring 11 touchdown passes in each of those seasons, Corley earned first-team All-Conference USA in 2022 and ’23.

At 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, Corley brings a big-bodied slot profile for the Jets, who will not be nearly as dependent on ex-Aaron Rodgers Packers targets as they were in 2023. The Jets have not re-signed Randall Cobb, and after underwhelming in his debut with the team, Allen Lazard is essentially only still around due to a $22MM guarantee the team authorized. A Wilson-Williams-Corley setup may be where the Jets end up at receiver before too long, though Gipson will have a say in that trio forming.

Here is how the Jets’ 2024 draft class looks ahead of training camp:

Bears Sign Round 1 WR Rome Odunze

As training camps approach, only six 2024 draftees remain unsigned. The Bears entered the week with their two first-round choices out of contract, but they narrowed that number to one Tuesday by signing Rome Odunze to his rookie deal.

Odunze, the Bears’ first Round 1 wideout pick since Kevin White in 2015, will be tied to a four-year pact that could be pushed to 2028 via the fifth-year option. Chicago did considerable work at wide receiver this offseason, adding Keenan Allen as well. But Odunze will be tied to Caleb Williams for the foreseeable future. The Bears will hope their Nos. 1 and 9 overall picks form a long-term partnership.

The team targeted the Washington prospect with the ninth pick to the point it explored trading up. GM Ryan Poles called Falcons counterpart Terry Fontenot about moving up one spot. The Falcons passed and chose Odunze’s college QB, Michael Penix Jr., but other teams eyed the multiyear Huskies standout. The Jets were in the mix, while the Colts made offers to move up for a pass catcher. Ultimately, Odunze ended up with a Bears team that may well be set to sport one of the most promising receiving cadres in its history.

Odunze’s contract will come fully guaranteed, as all first-round deals are now. Rookie deals are no longer especially complicated, and holdouts are exceedingly rare since the 2011 CBA introduced the slot system. The Williams matter may not be resolved for a bit, but the USC prospect is not expected to hold out. Williams is not using an NFLPA-certified agent, adding a complication to the former Heisman winner’s negotiations.

The Bears have clear intentions to make Odunze a Week 1 starter, teaming him with Allen and 2023 trade pickup D.J. Moore. Although Chicago rostered Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery together, this franchise does not have an extensive history with high-end receiving tandems or trios. Moore immediately became Chicago’s top target, displacing Darnell Mooney, and Allen comes over after accumulating the second-most receiving yards in Chargers history. WR3 expectations should give Odunze a smoother onramp to the NFL.

Odunze played a lead role in Washington zooming to the CFP national championship game, leading Division I-FBS in receiving (1,640 yards) and catching 13 touchdown passes. The Penix-Odunze combo produced 10 100-yard games for the 6-foot-3, 212-pound target, who amassed 125 yards in the Huskies’ CFP semifinal victory over Texas. Odunze starred at Washington for the past two seasons, posting two 1,100-yard campaigns while elevating his stock. He also clocked a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.

With Allen signed for just one more season and Moore still tied to his Panthers pact, Odunze has a route to becoming the Bears’ top wideout. Moore may well loom as an extension candidate, and Allen is open to a new deal. But the Bears will look to have the Williams-Odunze pair aligned for many years.

Lions One Of Few To View Sione Vaki As RB

During the 2024 NFL Draft process, the Lions quite literally saw something in Sione Vaki that no other team did. In terms of both value and use, the Lions were one of the only teams to view Vaki the way they did, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. As a result, the rookie out of Utah will start his NFL career as a running back, as opposed to the safety role he played throughout his collegiate career.

Vaki was able to declare for the NFL draft after only two years of college football due to the fact that, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Vaki participated in a three-year mission after high school. After graduating from Liberty HS (CA) in 2019, he signed with the Utes, officially becoming a member of the team’s 2021 signing class following his mission.

As a true freshman in 2022, Vaki started five of 14 game appearances as a safety on Utah’s defense, tallying 41 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and three passes defensed. In 2023, injuries in the Ute’s running backs room led the team to utilize Vaki on both sides of the ball.

While starting all 12 games at safety, Vaki also saw significant time at running back and running the wildcat formation on offense. In addition to improving on his defensive marks with 51 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three passes defensed, and an interception, Vaki averaged 7.5 yards per rush on 42 attempts for 317 yards and two touchdowns. If that wasn’t enough, he displayed impressive receiving abilities, catching 11 passes for 203 yards and three more scores. With all of his offensive production, Vaki still led the team in defensive snaps played. He earned two first-team All-PAC-12 distinctions: one as a safety and one in the all-purpose position.

Because most of his experience came on the defensive side of the ball, Vaki was mainly viewed as a safety prospect in the draft process. He projected as a strong safety due to his aggressiveness and toughness, but a lack of fluidity and instincts in coverage posed a threat to his value on defense, marking him as a likely sixth-round pick or later.

Detroit disagreed with this assessment and appears to have been the only team to do so. Not only did the Lions draft Vaki with the intention that he would play running back in Detroit, but they even traded up for the versatile Ute, taking him near the end of the fourth round. With a safety and a running back taken in the two picks following Vaki, it’s hard to say whether the trade up was intending to prevent another team from drafting him, but Vaki was taken shortly after a fourth-round run that saw five running backs taken in the span of ten picks.

Regardless of his intended drafted position, Vaki was the tenth player taken at either position, getting selected after nine other running backs and nine other safeties. Vaki won’t likely be a candidate to push David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs for offensive snaps at running back as a rookie, but because of his defensive experience, he vastly increases his odds of making the roster as a crucial special teamer. With the safety position thinned out following the departures of C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Tracy Walker, Vaki may be available on that side of the ball in a pinch, as well. For now, though, Vaki resides on the Lions’ roster as a running back.

Falcons Sign Round 1 QB Michael Penix Jr.

The single-digit list of unsigned rookies dwindled again Friday. The Falcons reached an agreement with their first-round pick. Michael Penix Jr. has signed his four-year rookie deal, Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz tweets.

This news leaves Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels as the only QBs left unsigned from this class. Penix will be tied to a fully guaranteed contract featuring a fifth-year option. The Falcons do not need to decide on the option until May 2027. Their situation might not end up leaving too much evaluation time.

[RELATED: Prospect Profile: Michael Penix Jr.]

Atlanta surprised most by drafting Penix despite having signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180MM deal — one that features $100MM in practical guarantees — in March. Cousins was believed to be stunned by his new team’s first-round decision, which does not exactly have a close comp in modern NFL history. While the Packers had two first-round picks (Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love) sit for three seasons, they had not signed a free agent starter during the offseason they made those draft choices.

The Falcons informed Cousins of their decision to go with Penix at No. 8 overall minutes before the pick. Arthur Blank is believed to have played a key role in the decision as well, with Falcons scouting staffer Joel Collier providing the initial report on the Washington prospect that eventually led to the NFC South club’s decision to draft him. When Cousins was asked if he would still have signed with the Falcons had he known they would pick a quarterback in the first round, the high-priced veteran said he did not deal in hypotheticals.

Penix went through Atlanta’s offseason program receiving second- and third-team reps. Although Taylor Heinicke worked ahead of the rookie at points during the team’s OTAs and minicamp, Penix is expected to be Cousins’ top backup once the regular season begins. Heinicke, who primarily served as a backup to Desmond Ridder last year while replacing the ineffective starter on multiple occasions, took a pay cut to stay with the Falcons this offseason.

Finishing up his recovery from Achilles surgery, Cousins is expected to be ready for training camp. Thus far, no mystery exists regarding the Falcons’ starting quarterback. Until further notice, that is Cousins. Though, early speculation is already laying out a scenario in which the Falcons trade Cousins after one season. For guarantee purposes, the earliest the Falcons can escape the Cousins contract without taking on a massive dead money number would be in 2026.

While Penix is set to spend at least his age-24 season developing behind Cousins, he comes to Atlanta after a dominant 2023 season. The national championship game starter led Division I-FBS with 4,903 passing yards. The lefty threw 36 TD passes, teaming with Rome Odunze — whom the Bears selected one spot later — to pilot the Huskies to the CFP title game. Coaches were viewed as higher on the former Indiana recruit, who suffered four season-ending injuries, compared to scouts. Some among the latter contingent expressed concern about his mechanics and health history.

The Raiders were viewed as a team potentially ready to grab Penix at No. 13, but the Silver and Black were not aiming to trade up for a non-Daniels option. As such, Penix is in an unusual situation that could have him sitting until at least his age-26 season. It will be interesting to see if any rumblings about that timeline being sped up emerge during Cousins’ Atlanta stay.

49ers Sign First-Round WR Ricky Pearsall, Wrap Up Draft Class Signings

The 49ers wrapped up their rookie draft class contracts today, inking their first-round pick, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. With their rookie contracts done, San Francisco’s front office can shift their focus toward the other priorities of the offseason.

Pearsall benefitted from a busy first round that featured an unprecedented run of offensive prospects to start the night. Despite being projected by some outlets as a second- or third-round pick, Pearsall found himself getting selected at the back of the first round as the sixth wide receiver off the board and one of seven on Day 1.

Pearsall, an Arizona-native, originally opted to attend college at nearby, in-state Arizona State, seeing minimal time in his first two years with the Sun Devils. In his third year with the team, Pearsall became a full-time starter, leading the team in all three receiving categories with 48 receptions, 580 receiving yards, and four touchdowns off of the arm of this year’s No. 2 overall pick, Jayden Daniels.

Like Daniels, Pearsall hit the transfer portal after 2021 and headed to the SEC, joining the Gators in Gainesville. In his first year with the team, Pearsall led Florida with 661 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions. With a new quarterback in 2023, Pearsall continued to lead the Gators in receiving production with 65 catches for 965 yards. His college offenses also took advantage of his speed on the ground. Over his five years, he added 21 rushes for 253 yards and five rushing touchdowns to his ledger.

In San Francisco, Pearsall comes in as the prototypical style of wide receiver that the 49ers love. Along with the advantage of having already shared a wide receivers room with Brandon Aiyuk in Tempe, Pearsall was utilized in Gainesville in a very similar fashion to the team’s other top wideout, Deebo Samuel. Pearsall’s abilities made him usable all over the field, much in the same way Samuel is currently utilized in San Francisco. While Pearsall may not be ready to step into that role right away, his presence makes a potential Samuel-departure in the future much easier to stomach.

With Pearsall’s contract taken care of, only eight rookie draft picks remain unsigned: Chicago’s Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, Minnesota’s J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr., Cincinnati’s Amarius Mims, New York’s Malachi Corley, and Arizona’s Trey Benson.

Here’s a breakdown of the entire 2024 rookie class for the 49ers:

Giants Factored Into Panthers’ Trade-Up Move For RB Jonathon Brooks

Three years ago, Giants connections to DeVonta Smith prompted the Eagles to trade up (via the Cowboys) to outflank their rivals for the Heisman-winning wide receiver. A middle-class version of that situation looks to have played out during this year’s draft.

Not making a strong effort to retain Saquon Barkley in free agency, the Giants pivoted to ex-Brian Daboll Bills charge Devin Singletary at a lower rate. They did add another running back in the draft, addressing the position (Tyrone Tracy Jr.) in the fifth round for the second straight year. The Panthers made a move to ensure the Giants’ investment at the position did not come sooner.

Citing the Giants bringing in Jonathon Brooks for a “30” visit, Panthers GM Dan Morgan advocated to David Tepper the team should trade up to move ahead of the NFC East club for the Texas RB at No. 46. Morgan said he knew of other teams viewing Brooks as this draft’s top running back. Considering Brooks was chosen 20 picks before the second RB went off the board, it seems like a safe assumption other clubs shared Carolina’s view of the ex-Longhorns ball-carrier.

The Panthers traded down from No. 39, allowing the Rams to move up for Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske — a deal that gave Carolina a 2025 second-rounder. They sent the Colts two fifths to climb from 52 to 46, with the Giants sitting at 47. New York eventually took Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin, marking the second straight year the Giants went with a Golden Gophers prospect (following center John Michael Schmitz) in Round 2.

We knew that if we traded [No. 39] there would be a player that we would miss out on. We were comfortable with that because we really wanted Brooks, and to be able to get the two next year, we said, OK, once our guys start going, then we’re going have to move back up,” Morgan said, via Panthers.com’s Darin Gantt. “It’s not like we did anything that was so smart or great or whatever; we were just willing to take a larger risk to get that outcome of the trade. It’s like, let’s not get cute here. Let’s just get our guy.”

Morgan and Giants GM Joe Schoen worked together for a stretch in Buffalo, helping give the new Panthers front office boss some insight on how his former coworker could be handling Round 2 in this year’s draft. Morgan also called Schoen about moving up, Gantt adds, while new Panthers exec Brandt Tilis contacted ex-Chiefs coworker Chris Ballard — a conversation that led to the Day 2 swap with the Colts.

Brooks fell to No. 46 in part because of a November ACL tear. He had still amassed 1,139 rushing yards (6.1 per tote) and 10 touchdowns in 11 games last year. With Chuba Hubbard going into a contract year, the Panthers made the move to add a successor early. While Brooks is not yet cleared for full work, he is expected to be back for training camp. He looks set to be eased into action, however, with The Athletic’s Joe Person indicating Hubbard is the “clear leader” on the depth chart going into camp (subscription required).

Hubbard usurped free agent signing Miles Sanders, who received last year’s top UFA RB contract (four years, $25.4MM), during Carolina’s dismal season. The former fourth-round pick totaled 902 rushing yards behind an injury-plagued O-line, averaging only 3.8 per carry, and scored five touchdowns. Sanders also suffered a heel injury while working out on his own, and the malady worsened during OTAs, Person adds.

Considering the Panthers also added Rashaad Penny — who overlapped with Dave Canales in Seattle — and it would not be shocking to see them move on from Sanders despite the dead money hit that would come. Though, it would cost Carolina more than $7MM to drop Sanders; the team would also carry 2025 dead money from that transaction.

As for the Giants, they have been linked to adding another veteran RB to the mix. Singletary is in place as the projected starter, with Tracy and Eric Gray behind him. The team has not re-signed multiyear backup Matt Breida. New York did add UFL rushing leader Jacob Saylors on Tuesday, but its backfield obviously does not appear as imposing as it did when Barkley resided atop the depth chart.

With costs rising on Big Blue’s payroll, the team opted not to re-sign the two-time Pro Bowler. It is not known if the Giants truly would have taken Brooks as a Barkley successor in Round 2, but the Panthers took that option off the table to be safe.

Chargers Sign Round 2 WR Ladd McConkey, Wrap Draft Class

Make that nine unsigned draft picks as of June 17. A year after 14 second-rounders entered July unsigned, the 2024 draft class has now seen every Round 2 choice agree to terms by mid-June.

The Chargers are the last team to cross the finish line here, but NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets they now have second-round wide receiver Ladd McConkey signed to his four-year rookie deal. As the No. 34 overall pick, McConkey will see most of his rookie contract guaranteed.

A near-$1MM gap between the Year 4 salary guarantees for the Nos. 33 and 35 overall picks (Bills WR Keon Coleman, Falcons DL Ruke Orhorhoro) undoubtedly created a natural drag in Chargers-McConkey talks. But the Georgia alum is locked in and landed more guarantees than Will Levis did after he became the second choice in last year’s second round. The Titans guaranteed Levis $8.7MM of Levis’ $9.5MM rookie deal; Rapoport adds McConkey will better that.

Even factoring in the QB premium Levis received, this year’s batch of second-rounders making notable guarantee strides pointed to McConkey bettering Levis’ contract. The salary cap’s $30.6MM jump is raising all boats, though second-rounders have continued to make progress here. In addition to three guaranteed years, Coleman’s Bills contract includes $1.74MM of his $2.1MM 2027 base salary. Coleman’s guarantee percentage betters that of Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, whom the Buccaneers chose to close out the 2021 first round. McConkey probably will not be far behind here.

While McConkey’s contract will provide him key security and help the players chosen near the top of the 2025 second round, he steps in at an interesting point on the Chargers’ timeline. The team’s Jim Harbaugh hire preceded a Mike Williams release and a Keenan Allen trade to the Bears. McConkey will join Josh Palmer, DJ Chark and 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston as the top Justin Herbert targets — in what is expected to be a run-heavier offense compared to recent years.

The Chargers traded up (via the Patriots) for McConkey, moving up three spots for the national championship-winning WR. A shifty slot player, McConkey showed notable improvement from 2021 to ’22. In the latter campaign, he posted 762 yards and seven touchdowns on 58 receptions. Back and ankle injuries limited McConkey in 2023 — a season that also saw Georgia lose Brock Bowers for a stretch — but he still averaged a career-best 15.9 yards per catch. Checking in at 6-foot, 186 pounds at the Combine, McConkey improved his draft stock by blazing to a 4.39-second 40-yard dash.

Allen’s crafty route running aided Herbert’s quick NFL ascent, with Williams providing contributions — particularly in 2021 — as a downfield option. The Bolts, who now employ run-oriented OC Greg Roman, now have McConkey signed through 2027. After Johnston struggled as a rookie, the team will hope McConkey can make a quicker assimilation to help Herbert in Harbaugh’s first season back in the pros.

Finishing off this year’s second-round signings, the Chargers have completed their draft class deals. Here is how Harbaugh’s first Los Angeles class looks:

Ten Unsigned 2024 Draft Picks Remain

The NFL collectively is ahead of where it was last year with regards to draft signings. Teams have navigated the guarantee issue second-round contracts presented in recent years. Unlike 2023, when 30 players were unsigned in late June and nearly half the second round was without contracts entering July, we are down to 10 unsigned rookies from the 2024 class. Here is the lot still without NFL contracts:

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

The clearest difference between this year and last comes from the second round. On June 17, 2023, half the second-rounders were unsigned. The 2011 CBA introducing the slot system has removed most of the drama from rookie-deal negotiations, but second-rounders continue to make guarantee gains. This contractual component has complicated matters for teams in the past, but that has not been the case — for the most part — this year.

A number of 2021 second-round picks remain attached to their rookie deals. Those terms illustrate the improvements Round 2 draftees have made on that front since. The Jaguars did guarantee 2021 No. 33 pick Tyson Campbell‘s first three seasons; his fourth brought $50K guaranteed. This year, the Bills needed to guarantee nearly Keon Coleman‘s entire rookie contract. Coleman has three years locked in and $1.74MM of his $2.1MM 2027 base salary is guaranteed at signing. This year’s No. 59 overall pick (Texans tackle Blake Fisher) secured more in Year 4 guarantees than Campbell’s deal contains.

A sizable gap does exist between Coleman’s final-year guarantees and those of Falcons DT Ruke Orhorhoro (No. 35 overall). The Clemson product has $966K of his $2.1MM 2024 base guaranteed. This gulf has likely caused the holdup for the Chargers and McConkey, a player who — after the exits of longtime starters Keenan Allen and Mike Williams — stands to be a central figure in the Bolts’ first Jim Harbaugh-era offense. With the top players in Round 2 on the cusp of seeing fully guaranteed deals, McConkey can set another notable precedent while gaining some additional security for himself.

First-round contracts have only been fully guaranteed en masse since 2022, when Vikings safety Lewis Cine — chosen 32nd overall — secured those terms. Though, matters like offset language still have been known to slow negotiations. Extended holdouts into training camp no longer occur among rookies, with players risking the loss of an accrued season toward free agency — a product of the 2020 CBA — by doing so. Corley and Benson were this year’s top third-round picks. The 49ers gave No. 64 overall pick Renardo Green two fully guaranteed years. That has likely caused a holdup for the Jets and Cardinals, considering the progress made via contracts agreed to by earlier draftees.

Commanders Wrap Up Draft Class Signings

Shortly after signing the quarterback they drafted No. 2 overall, the Commanders wrapped up the contract work for the rest of their rookie draft class today, as well. Per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washinton Post, Washington signed second-round tight end Ben Sinnott and third-round offensive tackle Brandon Coleman to their rookie contracts today, completing their rookie signings for this year.

Despite being projected for the fourth-round (Dane Brugler of The Athletic had him ranked as the sixth-best tight end prospect in 2024), Sinnott was the second tight end taken off the board as a second-round pick. This was just the latest example of Sinnott outperforming expectations. Coming out of high school, Sinnott had only one FCS offer but opted to walk on at Kansas State.

Sinnott’s value comes in his versatility. Made in the mold of the sparingly used H-back role, Sinnott played all over the field for the Wildcats, winning the NCAA’s Lowman Trophy (awarded to the top fullback in the nation) while leading his team in receiving yards. With veteran Zach Ertz reuniting with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury after both spent time in Arizona, Sinnott has a chance to learn from one of the better tight ends of the previous generation and provide a separate look as TE2 on the roster.

Coleman was a three-year starter at TCU splitting time between the guard and tackle spots on the left side of the line. His first year as a starter saw him start eight games at guard, he started all 15 games of the 2022 season at left tackle, and he played four games at guard and seven games at tackle in his final collegiate season. His efforts last year earned him second-team All-Big 12 honors.

Coleman may have a lot asked of him in his rookie year. The Commanders allowed Sam Howell to be the most-sacked quarterback in the league last year, yet they only used one draft pick on the offensive line and waited until the third round to do it. They did bring in two free agents to likely start at center and right guard, but the left tackle starting job remains open for competition after the team released Charles Leno. The new coaching staff has refused to place that pressure directly on Coleman’s shoulders this early, but the former Horned Frog will certainly be in the competition for the job with Cornelius Lucas and Trent Scott.

Here’s a breakdown of Commanders 2024 rookie draft class, now including their latest signees: