San Francisco agrees to terms with top pick

New York – Alex Smith, the first pick in April’s draft, agreed to terms Monday on a six-year, $57 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

Smith will receive a guaranteed $24 million, a lawyer familiar with terms of the deal told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The agreement is expected to set off a run of signings of first-round draft picks.

Smith, who is represented by Tom Condon, will get $4 million more guaranteed money than Eli Manning, last year’s first pick overall, who received $20 million from the New York Giants. Manning also is represented by Condon.

Smith’s deal, according to the lawyer, is expected to average $8.25 million compared to about $7.5 million for Manning.

Eagles ink first-rounder

Philadelphia – The Philadelphia Eagles signed first-round pick defensive end Mike Patterson to a five-year deal Monday. Patterson, 6-foot, 292 pounds, helped Southern California win consecutive national championships in 2003 and 2004 and was the 31st overall selection in the draft.

Colts’ top pick Jackson hopes to report soon

Indianapolis – First-round pick Marlin Jackson wants to join his Indianapolis Colts teammates at training camp Wednesday, and his agent is optimistic he can make it happen.

Doug Hendrickson said Monday he hoped to complete a deal this week before the Colts reporting deadline at Terre Haute.

“It sounds, from the tone, like they want to get something done, and we want to get something done, so we’ve just got to come together and get a fair deal,” Hendrickson said. “I think something will get done.”

Panthers cut three

Charlotte, N.C. – The Carolina Panthers waived second-year running back Joey Harris and defensive tackle Cleveland Pinkney on Monday, four days before the start of training camp. The team also waived injured safety Scott Farley, who ended last year on the practice squad, and signed tackle Ben Johnson from NFL Europe.

Pats sign Mankins

Foxboro, Mass. – 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 Friday. The 307-pound Mankins played at Fresno State.

Pearman joins Jags

Jacksonville, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars signed rookie running back Alvin Pearman on Monday, leaving the team with two unsigned draft picks. Pearman, a fourth-round pick, ran for 2,394 yards in four years at Virginia.