The NFL 2nd round signing conundrum;Ferguson still not signed

[Corbin]

How signing rookie Terrance Ferguson could prove difficult for Rams​

Texans contract with Jayden Higgins causing ripple effect among second round draftees
By JB Scott Jul 13, 2025, 12:56pm CDT
79 Comments / 79 New

There is an ongoing split in the NFL among second round draftees and their teams. It mostly stems from the Houston Texans agreeing to fully guarantee the contract of receiver Jayden Higgins.

Only two of 32 second round picks from this year’s NFL Draft have struck terms with their new teams. The two who have signed on the dotted line are Higgins and Carson Schwesinger of the Cleveland Browns.

The divide seems to be growing as the two teams playing in the NFL’s Hall of Fame Game—the first preseason contest of the year between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers—start training camp early. Chargers receiver Tre Harris is officially a camp holdout and Lions interior offensive lineman is expected to be in the same boat when Detroit rookies report.

How this effects the Rams:​

The Los Angeles Rams announced the vast majority of their rookies signed contracts on May 10th. At the time, that left second round TE Terrance Ferguson and fourth round RB Jarquez Hunter as the open questions. Hunter and the team put his contract in the rear view mirror by the end of May, leaving just Ferguson as the only unsigned rookie.

With 30 second round picks to be signed and two already considered as virtual training camp holdouts, it is within the realm of possibility that we see Ferguson sit out the start of practices with the Rams. The learning curve is already steep at the tight end position, and a slow start to the season could increase the degree of difficulty for Ferguson to earn a significant role on the offense.

This is a storyline worth monitoring ahead of the Rams reporting to Loyola Marymount on July 22nd, which is just over a week away.

 

[Corbin]

Freaking dickhead Texans. No we have problems because of their shitty negotiation skills.

 

[fanotodd]

The Rams are a leading franchise in the NFL. They have the opportunity to nip this crap in the bud. No rookie should receive a 100-% fully guaranteed contract. Whether they agree to two or even 3 years of a four year deal, the Rams should put their foot down on guaranteeing all four years.

What is the alternative for Ferguson?
He sits out and loses income for a year? Four years?
It’s no skin off his agent’s nose because he represents multiple clients. Meanwhile, Ferguson’s stock drops because he’s been out of football a full year.

The Rams run the Rams, not the rookies.

 

[Ramstien]

He needs to get his ass in camp and start learning the offense instead of listening to some wimpy arse agent, who could end up costing him money and a spot on the roster.

 

[OldSchool]

He needs to get his ass in camp and start learning the offense instead of listening to some wimpy arse agent, who could end up costing him money and a spot on the roster.

He has been at all practices. We've seen numerous clips and pics of him out there.

 

[Ramstien]

He has been at all practices. We've seen numerous clips and pics of him out there.

Well, that's good.

 

[muggmeister]

Freaking dickhead Texans. No we have problems because of their shitty negotiation skills.

Don't forget to add the dumbfuck Browns who signed their 2nd round pick to a fully guaranteed deal, just like they fucked up with the Watson contract. Not sure how you put this car in reverse, precedent set now and all 32 teams will probably end up caving. It's not the fact that maybe 2nd rounders should be fully guaranteed or not, just the same shit organizations keep making foolish decisions that affect all teams.

 

[Juice]

Why did the Texans feel compelled to give a second round pick a guaranteed contract?

 

[Psycho_X]

What's even more ridiculous is both the Texans and Browns have two 2nd round picks this year so they literally screwed themselves out of signing the second one by starting this fucking mess with the first.

 

[PARAM]

OTAs are different from camp. There's real hitting and injuries in camp so I'd think he might not participate. His choices really are limited.

 

[hotanez]

Why did the Texans feel compelled to give a second round pick a guaranteed contract?

What's even more ridiculous is both the Texans and Browns have two 2nd round picks this year so they literally screwed themselves out of signing the second one by starting this fucking mess with the first.

My guess is because this was eventually going to happen. Look at the contracts the Rams gave Avila 2 years ago and the contract they gave Fiske this year. Fully guaranteed contracts for 2nd rounders was going to happen eventually.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

My guess is because this was eventually going to happen. Look at the contracts the Rams gave Avila 2 years ago and the contract they gave Fiske this year. Fully guaranteed contracts for 2nd rounders was going to happen eventually.

Maybe it should have been negotiated by the union and league in the last CBA, so that teams agree to guarantee a portion of a contract. Like 50% for second round picks.

 

[Corbin]

Don't forget to add the dumbfuck Browns who signed their 2nd round pick to a fully guaranteed deal, just like they fucked up with the Watson contract. Not sure how you put this car in reverse, precedent set now and all 32 teams will probably end up caving. It's not the fact that maybe 2nd rounders should be fully guaranteed or not, just the same shit organizations keep making foolish decisions that affect all teams.

SMH always the dumb ass Browns involved in recent idiot contracts. Hopefully the NFL colludes more to bar shit like this for 2nd pics in the future.

 

[0311rams]

as concerning as it might be for Ferguson not sighing his deal the rams hopefully make the right choice. it's not like we don't already have talented tight ends. we need a left tackle. at least it feels like we do.

 

[snackdaddy]

If Ferguson sits out camp it only hurts his chances to be a big part of the offense. There's no guarantee he'll see any significant snaps during the season as it is. If he's not there to earn it he can forget about his dreams of making a rookie impact.

 

[RamBradford85]

There’s already 2 confirmed hold outs but damn only 2 teams have signed there second rd picks

 

[Flatlyner]

Of all the positions that NEED to be in OTA's, its rookie TE's. Its far more complex then a WR. Here's to hoping he shows up regardless.

 

[RamBradford85]

These nfl players looking at the nba and mlb and look at all the money they get guaranteed

 

[RamBradford85]

Of all the positions that NEED to be in OTA's, its rookie TE's. Its far more complex then a WR. Here's to hoping he shows up regardless.

He want tho because of the injury factor they wasn’t hitting at all in spring they gone be hitting in camp

 

[Corbin]

He want tho because of the injury factor they wasn’t hitting at all in spring they gone be hitting in camp

That's 100% the problem.