Redskins Sign First Round Pick.

[Kirkendall]

ASHBURN, Va. - The Washington Redskins agreed to a seven-year, $18 million deal with first-round draft pick Sean Taylor, The Associated Press has learned.

After late night negotiations, Taylor was on a flight to Washington on Tuesday morning to sign his contract, according to agent Jeff Moorad.

"We agreed to terms as the clock struck midnight," Moorad said.

A Redskins official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the agreement and said the team would probably hold a news conference later Tuesday.

The amount of the contract was confirmed by a party involved in the negotiations, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been signed. The source said Taylor will receive a $7.2 million signing bonus, and that the total bonus money in the deal — including option and roster bonuses — exceeds $13 million.

The source also said the contract has escalators that can make the deal worth up to $40 million over six years, while the seventh year can be voided. The escalators are based on three areas — playing time, on-field performance and Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections.

Taylor, the No. 5 overall pick, is expected to be Washington's opening day starter at free safety.

Taylor will join the team during its three-day "passing camp," which began Monday. The first standard training camp practices — in full pads with mandatory attendance for all players under contract — begins Saturday.

The deal ends a rather rocky spring and summer for the Miami standout, who was selected higher in the draft than any safety in 13 years.

Taylor fired his agent days after the draft. He was fined $25,000 by the NFL for leaving the league's rookie symposium in June. He was the victim of a prank gone wrong at a spring minicamp, when his vision was impaired by a pile of shaving gel squirted into his face by linebacker LaVar Arrington. Taylor had to miss practice the next day.

Taylor didn't decide on an agent until last week, but both sides worked through the circumstances to get the deal done. Redskins vice president for football operation Vinny Cerrato flew to California for two days of talks last week, and Moorad made a surprise return trip to Redskins Park on Monday, showing up unannounced at the front door.

"We returned the favor and are very glad that we came East and were able to conclude this in a timely fashion," Moorad said.