Minicamp is in full swing across the NFL, and the vast majority of the 2026 draft class has already inked their rookie deals. But a surprising cluster of mid-round picks is still waiting on signatures, raising eyebrows around the league.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith, the first six selections of Round 3—Carson Beck, Tyler Onyedim, Keyron Crawford, Markel Bell, Sam Roush, and Romello Height—have yet to sign. The same goes for the first seven picks of Round 4: Jermond McCoy, Jude Bowry, Darrell Jackson Jr., Kaleb Proctor, Brenen Thompson, Febechi Nwaiwu, and Gracen Halton. That’s 13 players from just two rounds, plus No. 76 overall pick Drew Allar, who is also unsigned.
Only three first-rounders remain without contracts: Ty Simpson, KC Concepcion, and No. 1 overall Fernando Mendoza. A pair of second-round edge rushers, Cashius Howell and Gabe Jacas, are also still waiting.
Why the Delay?
It’s no coincidence that so many early third- and fourth-round picks are holding out. Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane, whose team drafted Bowry with the second pick of the fourth round, explained the dynamic on One Bills Live.
“The union is constantly trying to push down everything from the second round into the third round, and then the third round to make the fourth round better,” Beane said. “And so, as we are in this CBA, it feels like the fourth round has become more difficult.”
Beane noted that agents are often reluctant to finalize a deal before the player picked ahead of them signs, fearing it might set a weaker precedent. “Sometimes agents are a little afraid to do something if the guy in front of them hasn’t done it,” he added. “They don’t want to look bad.”
That waiting game could backfire, especially for rookies competing for roster spots. Bowry, for instance, is battling for the Bills’ third offensive tackle role. “If he doesn’t start camp on time, it becomes very hard,” Beane said. “He’s gonna be in a battle for that third offensive tackle with Tylan Grable and Chase Lundt. So, if he were to miss time, that’s gonna set anybody back, much less a rookie.”
This standoff echoes broader tensions in rookie contract negotiations, similar to the Myles Garrett tax situation that highlighted how financial details can impact deals. With the 2028 draft already awarded to Minnesota, the league is watching closely to see if the union’s strategy pays off or if it leaves promising rookies playing catch-up.
