Lions rookie now fully tangled in increasingly ugly NFL draft pick mess

The Detroit Lions are heading into the 2025 season with more optimism than ever. The team is in a great spot, the roster is loaded, and the stars are getting healthy. Not only is the core back for more, but the 2025 draft class figures to be another Brad Holmes heist, expected to contribute to the team’s success early and often.

While that’s the plan and it’s in motion, what wasn’t part of the plan was this out-of-nowhere second-round rookie fully guaranteed contract standoff that shook the NFL more than anyone could have imagined. The Houston Texans started it all by giving 34th overall pick Jayden Higgins a fully guaranteed four-year, $11.7 million deal that was later used as a baseline for Carson Schwesinger’s fully guaranteed contract with the Browns as the 33rd overall pick.

Since then, it’s been a stalemate. No other second-round pick has signed a contract with their respective team, including Detroit’s Tate Ratledge, taken with the 57th overall pick.

Tate Ratledge frustratingly still hasn't signed his rookie deal

With Ratledge’s financial holdout, the Lions have signed six of their seven draft picks:

1st round: Tyleik Williams (4-year, $16.4 million guaranteed deal)
(Saving this spot for Tate Ratledge...)
3rd round: Isaac TeSlaa (4-year, $6.6 million deal)

5th round: Miles Frazier (4-year, $4.52 million deal)
6th round: Ahmed Hassanein (4-year, $4.42 million deal)
7th round: Dan Jackson (4-year, $4.3 million deal)
7th round: Dominic Lovett (4-year, $4 million deal)

Ratledge, of course, has the résumé to warrant a firm stance. After overcoming early injuries at Georgia, he started 36 games over his final three seasons, earned multiple All-American and All-SEC honors, and captained one of college football’s most dominant offensive lines. He brings physicality, leadership, and proven pass protection to a Lions front that values all three.

He’s expected to immediately compete for a starting role on the line, so if other starting second-rounders are getting fully guaranteed contracts, why shouldn’t he?

Fortunately, the league-wide epidemic hasn’t stopped him from attending the Lions’ offseason program. Things could be much worse. Chargers rookie WR Tre Harris has been a camp holdout in the hopes of a guaranteed contract. So, at least Ratledge isn’t that stubborn.

Still, it’s a frustrating bit to be a part of. Detroit is one of the most talented teams in the NFL. And while wanting a fully guaranteed payday is everyone’s dream, maybe just signing the four-year, $7.6 million contract Spotrac projected would be in his best interest. The Lions have little reason to cave to his demands other than to give in to what he wants. Yes, he’s expected to have a big impact, but it’s getting to the point of rubbing people the wrong way.

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