Patriots, top pick agree

The deal, agreed upon by Mula and Wilfork's agent, Michael Huyghue, is for six years and has a maximum value of $18.05 million, according to player, team, and industry sources.

Though the deal had not been filed with the NFL Players Association at the close of business yesterday and all the numbers were not available, sources indicate the 6-foot-2-inch, 325-pound former Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle, the 21st player taken overall, got $3 million to sign, a $325,000 roster bonus this season, and will receive a $2.5 million option bonus at the beginning of the '05 season.

Wilfork's deal appears similar to the recent contracts of Richard Seymour and Ty Warren.

Wilfork won't have to be an All-Pro to reach the majority of the lucrative escalators in the fifth and sixth years of the contract, but he'll have to be a "significant player" according to one source. If that's the case, owner Robert Kraft won't mind paying the maximum amount because it would mean Wilfork had turned out like Seymour, one of the top defensive linemen in the game. But the Patriots currently view Wilfork's contract as more like a six-year, $9 million deal, $6.575 million of which is guaranteed through signing bonuses, roster bonuses, and salary through 2006.

Wilfork will be part of a young group of linemen, headed by Pro Bowler Seymour, that the Patriots hope will be dominant for years. Also included in that mix is last season's top pick, Warren, who had mixed results as a rookie, and Jarvis Green, who has become a steady contributor. The Patriots already have signed second-round pick Marquise Hill of LSU and hope to develop him as a pass-rushing end. Hill is a former teammate of Green's at LSU.

The Patriots have been getting younger on the line, allowing over-30 linemen such as Washington, Anthony Pleasant, and Rick Lyle to leave as free agents, though they added veteran Keith Traylor to back up at nose tackle and on the line. Traylor could be the starter if the Patriots decide to ease Wilfork into the mix, as they did with Warren last season.