NEW YORK (AP) - The Jets signed cornerback Kyle Wilson, the team’s first-round draft pick, to a five-year, $13 million contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Saturday night.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the agreement.
The deal, which includes about $7 million guaranteed, means all four of the Jets’ draft picks are under contract before the team reports for training camp in Cortland on Sunday.
“I’m a millionaire!!!!!! And headed to camp,” Wilson wrote on his Twitter page.
Wilson, considered by many to be the top cornerback in the draft because of his solid man-to-man skills, slipped to the Jets at 29th overall. Coach Rex Ryan immediately said he would have a key role in a defense that ranked No. 1 overall and tops in pass defense last season.
Wilson likely will be the Jets’ starting nickelback and compete for the job as the primary punt returner. The Piscataway, N.J., native had 11 interceptions at Boise State and returned three punts for scores.
He was slated to go higher on many draft boards, but ended up being the fourth cornerback selected after Florida’s Joe Haden (Cleveland, No. 7), Alabama’s Kareem Jackson (Houston, No. 20) and Rutgers’ Devin McCourty (New England, No. 27).
Wilson’s contract compares favorably to that of McCourty, who received $13.2 million with $7.825 million guaranteed. Miami defensive end Jared Odrick, picked one spot ahead of Wilson, agreed to a five-year deal worth up to 13 million, including $7.13 million guaranteed.
Wilson was a standout cornerback and wide receiver at Piscataway High School, and chose Boise State over late offers from Rutgers and Iowa. He became a starter in the second half of his freshman season and helped lead Boise State to a Fiesta Bowl victory over TCU to cap his college career.
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