Top NFL Draft Picks Still Without Contract

With every team in the NFL nearing the opening of training camp, teams are working on signing the last of their draft picks to contracts.  There are no two teams more in the limelight for this than the St. Louis Rams and Detroit Lions.  Neither of them have yet signed their top draft picks, Sam Bradford and Ndamukong Suh.

St. Louis Rams Sam Bradford Contract

Sam Bradford's representatives met with the St. Louis Rams to lay the groundwork for the annual signing of the riches NFL contract. Every year that a quarterback is the number one pick of the NFL draft, he signs a contract with the most guaranteed money every awarded before ever stepping on the field and throwing a pass in a game. Last year Matthew Stafford inked a six-year contract that included $41.7 million in guaranteed money. Bradford is expecting somewhere in the range of $45-$50 million in guaranteed money.

Detroit Lions Ndamukong Suh Contract

Speaking to the media Friday, Ndamukong Suh said, "I feel like being paid and, as coach (Jim) Schwartz said, he feels I'm the best player in college football and I think they understand that. I don't think it'll be a problem."

This sounds like he want's to be paid more than number one overal draft pick Sam Bradford. The likelyhood of a holdout is high because he is represented by Eugene Parker and Roosevelt Barnes. Other players represented by these two include 2009 holdouts San Francisco 49'ers Michael Crabtree and Chiefs defensive lineman Tyson Jackson. Crabtree's holdout extended a month into the regular season while Jackson only missed a little more than a week of camp. Other players such Cedrick Benson and Steven Jackson have also been holdouts while these two worked out their deals.

Washington Redskin News

The Washington Redskins have been making noise this offseason.  The Redskins have been working on their offensive backfield and signed free agent Willie Parker, who was with the Steelers since 2004. They also made waves after they traded with the Philadelphia Eagles for Donovan McNabb. Last week Coach Mike Shanahan said they offered Brian Westbrook a contract.

Running Backs

Some people are curious in what Coach Shanahan has in mind. It seems he is going for the record of oldest running back corp. According to the younger Shanahan, Kyle Shanahan, "Clinton has been the back here, and he's definitely the starting back going into training camp." But Portis hasn't been able to stay healthy the last couple years. Portis' health issues is a reason to stock up on running backs, but neither Parker or Westbrook have been healthy much recently either. Parker is the youngest, being the only one under 30. But some feel that he will be the odd man out if Westbrook signs. To me that sounds ridiculous since Parker has at least played more and doesn't have the concussion history that Westrook does.

OTA Holdouts

The biggest named and paid holdout has been Albert Haynesworth. After an uninspired season last year, the guy that the Redskins signed for $100 million is holding out for a trade. Best of Luck bro!

With a disappointing season and a huge contract, who would want Haynesworth. I have an idea - how about going out and play for $100 million instead of trying to take your ball and going to another team. Haynesworth could be the defensive equivalent to Terrell Owens - talented, but a diva and cancer to the team.

Cornerback DeAngelo Hall, safety LaRon Landry, punter Josh Bidwell and linebacker Rocky McIntosh are other holdouts from OTAs. Bidwell is the only player that was told not to come to practice.

Coach Shanahan doesn't sound too worried with the holdouts.

"All I can say is that when you're at 94-95 percent [attendance], you feel pretty good about your football team and the direction you're heading...," Shanahan said. "Obviously, in the end, if they're not here, it's not good for their future."