FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) – The New England Patriots signed offensive lineman Logan Mankins on Monday, becoming the first NFL team to sign a player taken in the first round of this year’s draft.
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.
The deal is said to be worth $6.4 million over five years.
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, was taken with the 32nd and final pick of the first round after not allowing a sack in his final college season.
Last year, the Patriots took tight end Benjamin Watson with the 32nd pick and he 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.
On Sunday, the Patriots signed undrafted rookie wide receiver Brandon “Bam” Childress and released rookie running back Earl Charles and first-year defensive tackle Demarco McNeil.
AP-ES-07-25-05 1529EDT
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