So far, six second-round picks have secured fully-guaranteed contracts. It’s the first time in NFL history this has happened, which has changed the way team’s are negotiating their deals.
For the Cincinnati Bengals, they have yet to reach an agreement with their first-round selection. The Shemar Stewart situation is well documented, with Demetrius Knight waiting for his moment. After the latest Seattle Seahawks deal, Knight’s time is likely coming soon.
Seahawks Signing Bodes Well for Demetrius Knight
Elijah Arroyo was given a four-year, $8.813 million deal with the Seahawks. Of that, $6.872 is fully guaranteed. Arroyo was selected at No. 50 as he earned roughly 78% guaranteed money.
It might seem like the Seahawks tight end has no relations to the Bengals second round pick, but Arroyo was drafted just one pick prior. Now that the Bengals saw that the No. 50 pick received, it’s easier for them to negotiate with their No. 49 selection.
– 33. Carson Schwesinger – 100% – 34. Jayden
With how things have been going in the draft, it’s basically a game of cat and mouse. Cincinnati’s front office has tried to work around contracts with Stewart, Knight, and most importantly, Trey Hendrickson.
Knowing how all three of those men would be key contributors on defense, it would behoove the Bengals to not sign them all. Stewart is the lone first-round pick to not sign his contract as more second rounders cut their deals.
While the Hendrickson situation is far from over, Bengals fans are focusing on one thing at a time. Even though he’s predicted to land a massive deal, no one will believe it until it becomes a reality.
ESPN’s Ben Baby on Knight’s Contract
Baby commented, “This is the big one the Bengals needed to watch for Demetrius Knight. Arroyo was the pick immediately after Knight.”
“With Arroyo done, it should help give both Knight and the Bengals great working parameters to get a deal done ahead of tomorrow’s reporting date,” he added.
Saturday, July 19 is the date Baby was referring to. There are still a ton of second-round picks who have yet to come to terms on a contract. For once, the Bengals aren’t left as the odd team out.
Someone asked Baby why the team needs others to “set the foundation” for their deals, to which he responded, “1. Not every case is the same. 2. When it comes to guarantees in contracts, the parameters are built around the other deals in that pick’s range. That’s why so many are now getting done.”
Demetrius Knight is Poised to Start
The South Carolina graduate needs every second on the field he can get. Missing Wednesday’s training camp would be crucial as it impacts Knight’s chances of being a starter. Not every second-round pick is guaranteed playing time, but Knight’s fit with the Bengals is perfect.
Knight shined in the final two seasons of his six-year college career. His final season with the Gamecocks saw him total 82 tackles. He finished with a career high 57 solo tackles, even though he was down 14 total tackles from the year prior. Regardless, his two sacks last season put him half a sack shy of surpassing his first five years combined.
Massive Bengals Contract Update After Latest Second-Round Signing