Only two of the NFL’s 32 second-round draft picks this year have signed their rookie contracts, and it’s no secret why.
Earlier this offseason, the Houston Texans gave wide receiver Jayden Higgins a fully guaranteed contract, and the Cleveland Browns soon followed suit by giving linebacker Carson Schwesinger a fully guaranteed deal. Schwesinger and Higgins were the first two picks in the second round of April’s draft.
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The overall salary for each player picked in the draft is predetermined by their draft slot in the collective bargaining agreement between league owners and the NFL Players Association, but the percentage of guaranteed money is negotiable.
Following the Higgins and Schwesinger contracts, every other second-round pick — including Broncos running back RJ Harvey — is now holding the line in hopes of also receiving a fully guaranteed (or majority guaranteed) contract. Eventually, teams will start to give in, or players will.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre Harris is holding out, and other second-round picks could soon join him. Denver’s rookies are due to report on July 16, and it remains to be seen if Harvey plans to hold out if a deal is not struck before Wednesday.
Harvey is set to earn about $7.35 million over four years, but the guarantees are not set.
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Because he is not yet under contract, Harvey would not face fines if he skips training camp practices. He could fall behind in the position battle, though, and the Broncos just brought in established veteran J.K. Dobbins last month.
So while holding out could perhaps increase the likelihood of getting more money, it might also reduce the chances of Harvey winning the starting job if Dobbins shines in his absence.
Denver’s first-round pick, cornerback Jahdae Barron, also remains unsigned, but unlike Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Shemar Stewart, Barron (and Harvey) have kept a low profile during negotiations. There haven’t been any public airing of grievances or agent statements from the Broncos’ unsigned picks. They’re negotiating behind the scenes, and fans should expect both deals to get done — eventually.
Denver is scheduled to begin training camp practices on July 25 (full schedule).
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Holdout watch begins for RB RJ Harvey