NFL draft contracts are starting to come into focus with the Browns getting 2 deals done
The words “fully guaranteed” and “Cleveland Browns” are etched in infamy after the Deshaun Watson contract, so we understand if Browns fans have some trepidation throughout this article.
Prior to the Browns rookie minicamp opening up, where the two drafted quarterbacks looked mostly good throwing, including 7 on 7 drills, we shared how the Houston Texans broke the mold with a fully guaranteed contract for their second-round pick, WR Jayden Higgins. Never had a second-round pick received a contract like that and Cleveland selected LB Carson Schwesinger one pick before Higgins and RB Quinshon Judkins two picks after.
Any concern about Schwesinger getting a deal done went out the window quickly as the Browns announced signing RB Dylan Sampson, their fourth-round pick, and Schwesinger following practice on Friday:
The first two to make it official from our 2025 draft class!
We’ve signed LB Carson Schwesinger and RB Dylan Sampson
» https://t.co/ugEqeyhA96 pic.twitter.com/Nl73fZdbqR
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 9, 2025
Like Higgins, Schwesinger received a fully guaranteed deal, according to a report:
The #Browns have now signed the No. 33 pick, LB Carson Schwesinger, to a fully guaranteed four-year contract.
The No. 34 pick, Jayden Higgins, signed a fully guaranteed deal with the #Texans on Thursday — a new precedent that could ripple through more Round 2 negotiations.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 9, 2025
Now the question becomes, at one point in the second round do the fully guaranteed deal stop?
For Cleveland, the Seattle Seahawks signing the No. 35 pick, Nick Emmanwori, will probably have to happen before Judkins’ deal gets done. It is possible, like the Texans did, that the Browns don’t wait and give Judkins a fully guaranteed deal ,but waiting, especially given that Judkins is a running back, makes the most sense for the team and Judkins’ agent.
Cleveland still has five players from their NFL draft class left to sign:
- 1st Rd. DT Mason Graham
- 2nd Rd. RB Quinshon Judkins
- 3rd Rd. TE Harold Fannin Jr.
- 3rd Rd. QB Dillon Gabriel
- 5th Rd. QB Shedeur Sanders
Players without contracts are generally protected by injury waivers before they participate in rookie minicamp. The rare rookie minicamp holdout took place on Friday with the Cincinnati Bengals top pick, DE Shemar Stewart, who did not practice and reportedly won’t until he signs his deal.