Unsigned NFL Rookies with Biggest Training Camp Impact

The business of preparing for the 2012 NFL season has begun in earnest, as fresh-faced rookies across the league have started reporting for their first training camps as professional football players.

Top picks such as Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and Washington Redskins signal-caller Robert Griffin III have already signed on the dotted line and will be in camp on time.

However, there are still a number of prominent rookies whose contracts are hung up for one reason or another, including this fistful of first-year pros.

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins looked to the future under center with their first-round pick in April's NFL draft, selecting strong-armed Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill with the eighth overall pick.

However, the Dolphins have yet to come to terms with Tannehill on a contract. According to Pro Football Talk, the sticking point in negotiations is "offset language," which would allow the Dolphins to recoup guaranteed money if Tannehill were to be released by Miami and then signed by another team.

Most of the top picks in this year's draft, including Luck and Griffin, inked deals that do not include such a clause. With rookies receiving far less compensation under the new CBA than they did in previous years, it would appear that Tannehill's camp sees no need for his rookie deal to include one either.

Should Tannehill miss any significant time in camp, it would all but dash any chance the 23-year-old had of opening the season as the Dolphins' starter. The last thing Miami needs is for the team's shiny new franchise quarterback to begin his career by falling behind in class.

Matt Kalil, OT, Minnesota Vikings

The same offset language that is reportedly holding up Tannehill's contract is also delaying a deal for Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Matt Kalil, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

The Vikings have dug in their heels regarding the inclusion of the offset language on Kalil's contract, which should total around $20 million and will likely be fully guaranteed.

According to a tweet earlier this week by ESPN Radio's Tom Pelissero, the Vikings consider such language as "an organizational philosophy."

After surrendering the fifth-most sacks in the NFL in 2011, the Vikings may want to reconsider that philosophy, as the team is counting on Kalil to protect the blind side of young quarterback Christian Ponder.

He can't do that very well from his house.

Kendall Wright, WR, Tennessee Titans

It's not offset language, but guaranteed money that appears to be the bone of contention delaying the signing of Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright, who was the 20th overall pick in April.

According to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean, 2011 20th overall pick Adrian Clayborn of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was able to get all four years of his deal guaranteed. However, the trio of picks both before and after him did not.

However, with Titans wideout Kenny Britt potentially staring at a suspension as the result of his recent DUI arrest, the team needs to get Wright in camp and up to speed as soon as possible.

It's in Tennessee's best interests to just bite the bullet, guarantee the full amount of Wright's $8 million or so contract, and move on.

Justin Blackmon, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Of all the unsigned first-round picks, the one most likely to see negotiations drag on for some time is probably Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon.

The Jaguars traded up in April's NFL draft to select Blackmon with the fifth overall pick, only to watch Blackmon be arrested for DUI in June.

Blackmon recently pled guilty to misdemeanor aggravated DUI and will avoid jail time if he stays out of trouble for the next year.

However, with this being Blackmon's second such offense, Brian McIntyre of NFL.com theorized recently that the team is probably pursuing provisions in Blackmon's contract that would protect the team if Blackmon gets into legal trouble again.

Add to that the fact that the two sides are reportedly at odds over how much (if any) of Blackmon's nearly $12 million signing bonus should be deferred, and it's entirely possible that Blackmon will be the last of the first-round rookies to get into camp.

Dontari Poe, DT, Kansas City Chiefs

After a phenomenal showing at February's combine, defensive tackle Dontari Poe went from a potential mid-round selection to nearly cracking the first 10 selections of the 2012 NFL draft.

However, apparently the beefeater isn't pleased enough with that result. The former Memphis standout and the Chiefs aren't close to agreeing to terms on a contract, according to Pro Football Talk.

The new CBA limits the amount of financial haggling that can go on between players and teams, so it's believed that the mythical "offset language" is once again the biggest stumbling block between the Chiefs and Poe reaching an agreement.

It's understandable that Kansas City would want some protection in case Poe turns out to be a "workout warrior," but the team is also counting on the big man to plug the middle of their defense and need to get him in camp.

They should just let Poe fall on that stumbling block. He'd probably crush it.