Rookie defensive lineman Adolphus Washington became the fourth member of the Buffalo Bills' 2016 NFL Draft class to sign his first contract today, as first reported by Aaron Wilson, and since confirmed by the team.
Because of Wilson's diligent contract reporting, we also know the details of Washington's deal: it's a four-year pact (all drafted rookies are signed to four-year deals) worth $3.189 million in total, with a $754,296 signing bonus.
Bills' deal for Adolphus Washington: $3.189 million, including $754,296 signing bonus
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 17, 2016
That deal is a modest increase over the one signed by the No. 80 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, cornerback Alex Carter of Detroit, whose deal totaled $3.058 million, and who received a $688,748 signing bonus.
The No. 80 overall pick in the draft three weekends ago, Washington is expected to factor heavily into a Bills defensive line rotation that already features Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams, and Corbin Bryant as incumbents. The 6'3", 301-pound former high school defensive end is long enough to play in a two-gap system and polished enough to play on passing downs early in his career, by the Bills' post-draft press conference estimation, though it remains to be seen how much playing time he'll receive as a rookie, particularly compared with Williams and Bryant.
Washington's signing leaves the Bills with just three unsigned rookies: quarterback Cardale Jones (fourth round), linebacker Reggie Ragland (second round), and defensive end Shaq Lawson, the first-round pick with the newly surgically-repaired shoulder.