SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 26 (UPI) -- The San Francisco 49ers signed top draft choice Alex Smith Tuesday to a contract reportedly for six years and worth $49.5 million.
Smith, a former Utah star, was the fifth consecutive quarterback to be selected with the top overall pick and seventh in the last eight years. Eli Manning was taken by the Giants via trade with San Diego last year, while Cincinnati took Carson Palmer in 2003. The Texans drafted David Carr with the top pick in 2002 after Atlanta selected Michael Vick in 2001.
Smith, first quarterback selected by San Francisco in the first round since Jim Druckenmiller in 1997, led Utah to an undefeated season in 2004 and became the first player in school history to be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
Smith had the second highest pass-efficiency rating (176.52) in the nation last season, throwing for 2,952 yards and 32 touchdowns with only four interceptions.
