The Cincinnati Bengals were mostly quick to wrap up their 2019 draft class — with one exception.
Only 25 rookies around the NFL remain unsigned, including 10 first-round picks. Germaine Pratt, Cincinnati’s third-round pick at No. 72, happens to be one of those.
The reasoning for the holdup hasn’t been stated publicly. But the good news? The fact Pratt was with the team working recently even without a deal hints it is more about the language of the contract than it is dollar figures.
Even with rookie deals becoming an afterthought in recent years, mid-round picks in the second and third rounds have had some notable issues at times getting the language of deals nailed down.
The sooner the better for the Bengals here though, as they’re counting on Pratt — a former safety and linebacker standout last year — to come in and help one of the team’s biggest problem areas from a season ago.
