The Green Bay Packers signed their final five 2017 draft picks last week — that is, the players drafted in the lowest rounds. They signed their top pick on Thursday.
The Packers finalized the agreement for their first second-round pick, cornerback Kevin King, the team announced.
While all of these rookie contracts are essentially formalities, the Packers’ top pick is typically the last to sign. Last year, first-round pick Kenny Clark didn’t sign until well into June.
The difference here is the Packers didn’t have a first-round pick after trading out of the round during the draft. And that may be good and bad.
Despite the rules of collective bargaining agreement and rookie salary pool, first-rounders typically take longer to sign. In 2016, Chargers rookie Joey Bosa actually held out over the language in his contract.
The downside, of course, if King turns out to be a solid player is the Packers don’t have the fifth-year team option they would have had with a first-round pick.