Report: Browns NFL draft pick signings begin

Zak Zinter, the team’s second pick, reportedly becomes the first to sign

The NFL has figured out a way to fill almost all of the 12-month calendar with something. Whether it is NFL free agency, NFL draft prep or offseason training activities, football dominates the landscape. With the NFL draft completed and most of free agency out of the way, the attention turns to on-the-field work.

For the Cleveland Browns, the next step is rookie minicamp opening on Friday. While there will be very little, if any, coverage of what happens on the field, Browns fans can start to get excited about the season around the corner.

Of Cleveland’s draft picks, DT Michael Hall Jr. is in line to make the biggest impact this year but, as we saw last year with OL Dawand Jones, anything can happen.

With the six drafted rookies and a slew of undrafted players set to take the field today, last night came the first report of a draft pick getting a contract signed. It wasn’t Hall, the team’s first selection, but OL Zak Zinter, the team’s next pick:

The Browns have not confirmed the move at this point. Drafted players do not have to be signed to participate in rookie minicamp. Instead, a waiver process is used to ensure new players can participate while negotiations continue.

Rookie contracts have very little wiggle room, mostly around offset language and how the money is paid out. With Cleveland not having a first-round selection, contracts should be signed no later than the start of training camp.