NFL Draft: Seven Picks Remain Unsigned
By Jon Dove
There are still seven members of the 2018 NFL Draft class that have yet to sign their rookie contracts.
NFL Training Camps are starting to kick off and there are several teams that will be without at least one of their rookies in the mix. There are seven 2018 NFL Draft prospects who are still unsigned.
The list includes: Bake Mayfield (Cleveland Browns), Sam Darnold (New York Jets), Denzel Ward (Browns), Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), Roquan Smith (Chicago Bears), Terrell Edmunds (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Dante Pettis (San Francisco 49ers).
Things have started to shake loose a little with Saquan Barkley and Mike McGlinchey recently signing their rookie deal. Getting those to under contract should help the negotiations between the unsigned top-10 picks.
The Browns are in an interesting situation with two top-5 picks waiting to sign. Obviously, Mayfield will get the bigger contract but look for Ward to want something close.
Related Story: Denzel Ward's Rookie Expectations
Of the three remaining unsigned quarterbacks, Josh Allen is the one with the best chance of earning early playing time. The Bills do have AJ McCarron and Nate Peterman on the roster, but Allen will still be given a shot to compete.
Edmunds and Pettis are interesting cases based on the fact that all the players selected in their area are already signed. Both players need to get into camp soon if they hope to see early playing time.
The Steelers already have veterans Morgan Burnett and Sean Davis penciled in as the starting safeties. However, Edmunds could earn some time as an in-the-box safety and linebacker hybrid.
Pettis’ speed is something the 49ers could look to work into the offensive attack. That speed is also something that shows up in the return game which is where Pettis could make an early splash.