With the number of unsigned first-rounders dwindling, the remainders are becoming more conspicuous.
One of the unsigned players is the inherently conspicuous Dontari Poe, a six-foot, three-inch, 346-pound behemoth who was picked by the Chiefs with the 11th selection in the draft.
On Tuesday afternoon, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported (via ArrowheadPride.com) that the Chiefs and Poe are “not close.” Schefter also said that the next 24 hours will be critical.
As we move toward the end of that 24-hour period, it’s unknown whether the two sides are any closer than “not close.”
Though the new rookie wage scale limits the issues over which players and teams can haggle, Poe could be trying to pull the no-offset term out of the top 10, even though 10th overall pick Stephon Gilmore of the Bills didn’t get a fully-guaranteed deal without offset language.
Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, who like Poe is represented by CAA, avoided the offset language at No. 9.
For Poe, whom some regard as a boom-or-bust prospect, the insertion of offset language takes on greater importance. If Poe becomes viewed in hindsight as a workout warrior who can’t develop into a Wilfork-style two-gap line-and-toilet clogger, the Chiefs won’t be bashful about cutting Poe. And if he’s cut, the Chiefs won’t want to pay him the full amount of his deal if he signs with another team.