The Buffalo Bills secured their second-round draft pick, T.J. Sanders, just ahead of training camp by finalizing his rookie contract on Thursday night. Sanders, a defensive lineman from South Carolina, was signed to a four-year deal, ensuring his participation in preseason preparations without delay.
The contract, negotiated by agent Drew Rosenhaus, is worth \$10.645 million, with \$10.073 million guaranteed. That amounts to approximately 95% of the total contract being guaranteed, a figure that reflects this year’s elevated expectations for second-round draft picks.
Unprecedented Guarantees Delayed Second-Round Signings Until Preseason Pressure Sparked Quick Deals
This year, a major hold-up in signing second-round rookies stemmed from early deals made by the Browns and Texans. The first two players selected in the second round, Carson Schwesinger and Jayden Higgins, received fully guaranteed contracts—an unprecedented move. Their deals set a new standard, prompting other agents to hold out for similarly generous guarantees.
However, as the start of training camp loomed, urgency grew among teams and players alike. In the past 24 hours, many second-round picks have signed, ending the two-month signing drought. Sanders is expected to contribute immediately in the Bills’ defensive rotation, and with his contract signed, he’ll now be able to fully participate in camp from day one.
