UPDATE: ESPN is now confirming the OBR's initial report.
Scout.com and the Orange and Brown Report have learned that the Cleveland Browns and first-round draft pick Kamerion Wimbley have reached an agreement in principle. The length of the agreed-upon contract is six years, reflecting the Browns' desire to have a longer-term commitment with Wimbley and spread out the salary cap impact of Wimbley's signing bonus.
As predicted by the Orange and Brown Report in recent days, however, the sixth year is voidable based on Wimbley's achievement of certain unspecificed incentives. The contract also contains a buy-back option for the sixth year at the Browns discretion if the incentives are reached by Wimbley.
Wimbley is expected to sign the deal within the next 24 hours. The OBR is also reporting exclusively at this hour that the total deal is believed to be worth $23 million over the six-year timeframe.
At the present time, DE Mario Williams (Houston) remains the only first-round pick signed to a contract. The agreement between the Browns and Wimbley may serve to help break the current impasse with first-round picks by providing an additional data point to assist clubs with "slotting" their contract offers.
For example, with Wimbley agreeing to a deal, the Philadelphia Eagles could get an assist in reaching an agreement with their first-round pick, DT Brodrick Bunkley. It's believed the Eagles are looking to get Bunkley signed to a six-year deal while Bunkley's side is looking for five years, similar to the situation in Cleveland.
scout.com's NFL Expert Adam Caplan will be chatting again with OBR visitors on Monday to discuss the Wimbley deal and other subjects.