Other 1st round signees

[THE SIX KINGS]

Oakland Raiders: First-round cornerback Fabian Washington, expected to challenge for a starting spot in a refurbished Raiders secondary, reached agreement in principle Monday on all of the key financial parameters of his rookie contract.

 

The former University of Nebraska player, drafted by the Raiders as the 23rd overall pick, will sign a five-year contract.

 

There remain some details to be completed, so financial elements of the contract were not yet available. Agent Brian Mackler of the Manhattan-based Sportstars was en route to Oakland on Monday evening to finalize the deal.

 

Washington, 22, brings tremendous speed to an organization that has always valued that commodity highly. He has been consistently timed in the 4.3-second range and, with the trade of former starter Phillip Buchanon to the Texans this spring, will have the opportunity to carve out considerable playing time.

 

For now, the Raiders list third-year veteran cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha at the top of the depth chart opposite Charles Woodson, but Washington is so highly regarded as a cover man and such a fluid defender, he might force his way into the lineup.

 

A three-year starter in college, Washington finished his Cornhuskers career with 145 tackles, 11 interceptions, 38 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two recoveries. He had at least three interceptions in each of his three seasons and he returned one pick, in 2002, for a touchdown. The Bradenton, Fla., native twice earned All-Big 12 honors.

 

-- Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com senior writer

 

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles reached a five-year, $6.6 million agreement Monday evening with first-round draft pick Mike Patterson, a defensive tackle from USC.

 

The deal will pay Patterson $3.3 million in 2005. His guaranteed money of $3.9 million is $100,000 less than the $4 million received by Mankins, but Patterson made up the difference by having a higher base salary, making made his deal worth $200,000 more than what Mankins received.

 

Patterson was the 31st player selected in the first round. Mankins was 32nd. Those signings set the market for Steelers first-round choice Heath Miller, the 30th pick in the round.

 

--- John Clayton, ESPN.com senior writer

 

New England Patriots: The Patriots became the first team to sign a first-round pick by reaching a five-year, $6.4 million deal with guard Logan Mankins, the 32nd pick in the 2005 draft.

 

Mankins reached agreement late Sunday night and signed the contract. Including a signing and option bonuses along with a $350,000 roster bonus this year, Mankins received $4 million in upfront guarantees, John Clayton reported.

 

The key to the agreement was getting the Patriots not to force a six-year contract on him. Last year, the Patriots signed tight end Ben Watson, their first-round choice in 2004, to a six-year contract. His agent at the time, Tom Condon, refused to sign a contract that long for a pick that low in the first round and resigned as Graham's agent.

 

Watson didn't sign until Aug. 16, after an 18-day holdout. He played in the season opener, was inactive for the second game and was then placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

 

Negotiations heated up Friday when Mankins' agent, Frank Bauer, worked with the team to resolve the length of the contract. For the Patriots, it was important to get Mankins into camp on time because he is expected to be a starter as a rookie.

 

The 307-pound Mankins played at Fresno State, where he blocked for quarterback David Carr, now with the Houston Texans. Mankins, who started 40 games in four college seasons, did not allowing a sack in his final college season.

 

The Patriots rookies reported Sunday night. Mankins was in Foxboro and ready to sign the contract once it was completed.

 

His signing brings all seven of the team's 2005 draft choices under contract as the Super Bowl champions prepare for their first full-squad workout of training camp on Friday.

[Guest THEbigred]

whoo hoooooo we're flyin now.....

[CaptainHook]

The latest on the Colts signing Marlin Jackson, if you are interested:

 

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