With training camps opening in the next week, only 3 draft picks from the May 2014 draft class remain unsigned.
Interestingly, all three of the unsigned draft picks were mentioned as possible Bengals’ selections in various mock drafts.
CLEVELAND BROWNS: (#8) Justin Gilbert, CB, Okla State
Although not nearly as recognizable as Johnny Football, the very raw, but athletic CB out of Okla State was the first of the Browns' draft picks this year. In many mock drafts, the Bengals were taking CB's, and Gilbert was considered one of the top few this year. Ultimately the Bengals did take their CB in Dennard.
Since the CBA pretty much slots contract duration & pay, the major sticking point seems to be the "Offset Language". Essentially this means if a player is cut and then signs with another team before he finishes out his rookie contract with the initial team, the team who drafted him is not on the hook for the full amount of the contract.
Basically, think Brandon Weeden. He was cut by the Browns before his rookie deal ended. If he makes another roster this season, the Browns won't owe him the full amount of his contract. With Gilbert being more of a high risk / high reward type of pick, it makes sense that the Browns was this ‘offset' to avoid paying him the full amount if he ends up being a bust.
Apparently the #7 pick (Mike Evans) got a contract without the offset, and Gilbert is presumably targeting something similar.
The Browns still have a few days until their camp opens (July 23), and with the disagreement between Gilbert and the Browns seemingly minor, it's reasonable to think he would be signed by the 23rd.
TENNESSEE TITANS: (#11) Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Another player who was a possibility for the Bengals if all the top CB's got scooped up before their pick. He had the versatility to play either LT or LG, allowing Whit to play either, and upgrading over Boling at LG. Although he did have a red flag off-field incident, which may have steered the Bengals away from him?
While neither side has confirmed why Lewan is unsigned, it's presumed to also be the offset language in the contract. Regardless, it would be a reasonable guess to assume Lewan will NOT be signed by July 25th when the Titans begin camp.
First off, they already have a solid pair of tackles in Roos and Oher at LT and RT, respectively. Lewan has a chance to push the aging Roos at LT, and the decent, but unspectacular Oher at RT. But Roos is decent, and Oher, was just signed as a free agent. So the Titans are not in desperation mode for an OT, which would hasten their desire to get Lewan in camp asap.
Secondly, the Titans have a set of solid OG's in recent free agent Levitre at LG, and last year's first round pick Chance Warmack at RG. So again, there is no desperation to get Lewan in camp to fill a gaping hole on the O-Line.
A third reason why this may not be resolved by the start of camp is the Titans history. Their 2013 first round pick Warmack missed 4 practices due to the offset language in his contract. And their 2012 first round pick Kendall Wrights missed 3 practices over the amount of guaranteed money.
Lewan will likely get signed after camp opens on the 25th, likely before July ends.
MIAMI DOLPHINS: (3rd round) Billy Turner, OT, N. Dakota St.
With the Bengals looking to upgrade their O-Line, due to Kyle Cook's inability, Whitworth's aging body, and Boling's erratic play, Turner was a popular small-school name often brought up as a potential selection.
With the Dolphins losing Jake Long to free agency before the 2013 season, and then both Incognito & Martin early in the 2013 season, it's no wonder the Dolphins took O-Line early and often in the draft.
This unsigned pick is the oddest of the three, because Turner was not a high pick. It's somewhat odd for a mid-round pick to hold out so long. The contract money and duration are pretty much slotted with little wiggle room for Turner's side to work with.
There is some speculation that Turner, who played in college as a LT, wants to get paid like an LT, which is the premium O-Line position. But the team envisions using him as an LG, and wants to pay him like an LG. Although in the third round, the pay variances are so small, that an LT vs. LG difference really shouldn't matter for a non-QB. So it's hard to know what the hold-up really is.
It is no secret that the Dolphins were desperate for o-Line help following the 2013 season. They drafted Ja'Wuan James in round 1, signed Branden Albert, and drafted Billy Turner. Turner may be banking on the Dolphins' perceived desperation to get a better deal than his round 3 status would warrant? But with the recent additions of James & Albert, the Dolphins may not be as willing to cave in to a mid-round pick who may be trying to squeeze every last penny.
With Billy Turner being a 3rd round selection, from a small school, not a big name prospect, and not playing a premium QB type of position, it's hard to speculate whether he will sign soon, given that it's so odd that he still remains unsigned, given his status.
Fortunately the Bengals avoided any such delays this year, and all of the Bengals are signed.