Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a league source with knowledge of the situation, reports that the amount of the guaranteed money is one of the primary terms holding up the deal between the Browns and first-round S Jabrill Peppers.
As Florio explains it, the No. 23 overall pick (Giants tight end Evan Engram) got $1.55 million guaranteed in the fourth year of the deal while the No. 26 overall pick (Falcons defensive end Tak McKinley) received just $655,000.
Peppers figures to be targeting more guaranteed money in year four than the $655,000 McKinley got from the Falcons.
Florio also points out that last year’s No. 25 overall pick, Steelers CB Artie Burns, received an $800,000 roster bonus due on the third day of training camp and Peppers could be pushing for the same.
Peppers is currently one of just eight players from the 2017 draft who has yet to sign their rookie contract. The Browns have already signed No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett and fellow first-rounder TE David Njoku, so Peppers is the last remaining player from their draft class.
Peppers, 21, was selected with the No. 25 overall pick by the Browns after they elected to trade down from No. 12 with the Texans. In total, Cleveland acquired a 2018 first-round pick by moving down.
Peppers is one of the most dynamic players in this year’s draft class and played on both sides of the ball during his college career.
During his college career at Michigan, Peppers recorded 119 tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, one interception and 11 pass defenses. On offense, Peppers rushed for 239 yards on 45 carries (4.5 YPC) to go along with 10 receptions for 82 yards receiving and five total touchdowns.
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