The 2025 NFL Draft has seen a remarkable acceleration in rookie contract signings, with 220 of the 257 selected players already inked. This surge can be traced to the rookie wage scale established in 2011, streamlining contracts to four years, with first-round selections eligible for a fifth-year option. Currently, only three first-round picks remain unsigned, including the highly touted Travis Hunter, chosen second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars. In a notable twist, the Cincinnati Bengals are embroiled in a dispute with 17th overall pick Shemar Stewart regarding contract language on salary guarantees.

What's particularly striking is the number of unsigned second-round picks, with 30 out of 37 yet to sign, an anomaly not seen since 2020, when pandemic restrictions hindered signings. Conversely, last year saw all second-round picks signed by mid-June. The Houston Texans kickstarted this year's second-round process by offering Jayden Higgins a fully guaranteed contract, a historic first for a second-round pick, setting a new precedent for rookie deals.