ESPN's Adam Schefter continues to predict that Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller will be the last first-round pick to sign. Progress continues to be made, however, with unsigned picks drafted in Spiller's vicinity.
Schefter reports this afternoon that the Chargers and running back Ryan Mathews are closing in on a deal, with an agreement expected today. Many believed that Mathews, the second running back selected (three spots behind Spiller at No. 12 overall), would wait to see what type of deal Spiller signed. That no longer appears to be the case.
Meanwhile, the man selected directly after Spiller, Jaguars defensive tackle Tyson Alualu, was reported to be close to a deal as of this morning, but Aaron Wilson reports that no deal is imminent while the two sides continue to talk. A year ago, Buffalo and Jacksonville had two of the lengthiest first-round holdouts, as both Aaron Maybin and Eugene Monroe missed healthy portions of training camp.
Spiller and Alualu are two of just seven first-round picks without deals imminent, joining Detroit's Ndamukong Suh (No. 2) Seattle's Russell Okung (6), Cincinnati's Jermaine Gresham (21), Arizona's Dan Williams (26) and Indianapolis' Jerry Hughes (31). None of those seven players appear close to deals.