A pair of draft picks remain unsigned. Both played receiver at Big 12 schools, where they each were named first-team All Conference.
But they are unsigned for very different reasons.
Titans receiver Kendall Wright, the 20th overall pick in the draft, is trying to get as much fully-guaranteed money as possible from the slot in which Bucs defensive end Adrian Clayborn unexpectedly finagled a four-year, fully-guaranteed deal in 2011. The players taken in front of and behind Clayborn last year and Wright this year did not receive four-year, fully guaranteed deals.
Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon, the fifth overall selection, presents a more complex situation, given his post-draft aggravated DUI arrest and subsequent guilty plea. A source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that the two sides are talking on a daily basis.
Not quite as clear is what they’re talking about.
It’s widely believed that the Jags want to insert offset language in the deal, which would give them a dollar-for-dollar credit as to Blackmon’s guaranteed money if the Jags cut Blackmon and he signs with a new team.
We think the Jags are going farther, trying to insert language that would nullify remaining guarantees if Blackmon gets in trouble again. That would allow the Jaguars to move on and owe Blackmon nothing further.
Either way, the two sides need to find a middle ground. It helps neither the player nor the team for Blackmon to miss camp. Though the Jags have good reason to want protection, they also need to not push it too far.
After all, it’s not as if Blackmon had never gotten in trouble before.