(AP) -- PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) - The Buffalo Bills are opening training camp with first-round draft pick Marcell Dareus under contract.
A person familiar with the deal said Friday the defensive lineman agreed to a four-year, $20.4 million contract. The entire contract is guaranteed, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Bills have not released terms.
Selected third overall out of Alabama, Dareus signed about 90 minutes before the Bills were to take the field for a conditioning session in suburban Rochester. The first practice is Saturday.
The Bills also announced the signings of defensive back Da'Norris Searcy, a fourth-round pick, and running back Johnny White, a fifth-round pick. The rookies were teammates at North Carolina.
That leaves two more rookies left unsigned for Buffalo. They are Texas defensive back Aaron Williams, a second round pick, and LSU linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, a third-round pick.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 308 pounds, Dareus is a versatile lineman, who proved capable playing against the run and pressuring the quarterback.
He's expected to play end when the Bills line up in a 3-4 scheme, and would play the middle when they go with a four-man front. He's being counted upon to make an immediate impact to improve what was a porous defense that ranked last against the run and allowed an average 26.5 points a game last year.
Dareus had 11 sacks and 20 quarterback pressures in 33 career games, including 15 starts. He was also part of a defense that finished in the top 10 in the nation against the run in each of the past two seasons. Most memorably, Dareus was the defensive MVP in helping the Crimson Tide defeat Texas in the 2010 national championship game.
Searcy, selected 100th overall, had 106 tackles and five interceptions in 48 career games, including 23 starts with the Tar Heels.
White, selected 133rd overall, led North Carolina with 720 yards rushing and seven touchdowns last year. He's expected to compete for a backup spot behind returning players Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
