Erasmus James signs Vikings' contract

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Aug. 9 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Vikings have signed first-round draft pick Erasmus James.

The defensive end was the 18th overall pick in April after an All-American career at Wisconsin.

Both the Minneapolis Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Tuesday that the deal was reached Monday night and is for seven years, voidable after five, with a value of just less than $10 million.

James was the second of Minnesota's two first-round picks in the draft and the Star Tribune reported he was the last pick to sign a contract. He went through his first practice paces at training camp after he signed.

The 6-foot-4 inch, 263-pound James was a finalist for numerous post-season awards last year as a senior and was Defensive Player of the Year in the Big Ten, when he led the conference with eight sacks.