Ravens rookie now fully tangled in increasingly ugly NFL Draft pick mess

The NFL is experiencing a shift in contract negotiations, with second-round rookies now seeking fully guaranteed deals—previously reserved for first-round picks. Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger and Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins have already secured such contracts, breaking this barrier. Other unsigned second-round selections face training camp deadlines to finalize agreements, as they cannot participate without contracts. This trend intensified when Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre Harris (55th overall pick) held out of camp to demand guaranteed money, signaling potential challenges for teams negotiating with remaining unsigned players.

Baltimore Ravens edge defender Mike Green (59th pick) is among those without a deal as training camp approaches. Despite possessing first-round talent—evidenced by his nation-leading 17 sacks and 23 tackles for loss at Marshall—Green's contract talks are complicated by off-field issues. He faces two pending sexual assault charges, which led to his dismissal from Virginia's football program in 2022 and caused his draft slide. Although the Ravens conducted thorough investigations and selected him based on confidence in his character, these allegations create unique negotiation hurdles. With Ravens rookies reporting July 15, Green risks missing critical camp time if unsigned.

Green's absence would detrimentally impact both his adjustment to the NFL and the Ravens' defensive plans. The team struggled with inconsistent and non-explosive pass rushes in 2024, and Green's skill set directly addresses these weaknesses. While Baltimore has depth in pass rushers, his participation in camp is vital for integration. The precedent set by Schwesinger, Higgins, and Harris's demands increases pressure on the Ravens to resolve negotiations before camp begins, balancing talent evaluation against off-field concerns.