July 26, 2001

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) - The Philadelphia Eagles signed first-round pick Freddie Mitchell to a five-year deal worth more than $5 million on Thursday, hours before the wide receiver and other rookies are due to report to training camp.

Mitchell, the 25th pick of the NFL draft, is expected to make an immediate impact. He was on his way to the training site at Lehigh.

Coach Andy Reid overhauled the wide receiver position during the offseason, cutting starters Charles Johnson and Torrance Small.

Mitchell, a flashy receiver at UCLA, is the playmaker the Eagles have been seeking to complement quarterback Donovan McNabb.

The 5-foot-11, 187-pound Mitchell made 77 receptions for 1,494 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

He capped his college career with an MVP performance in the Sun Bowl, catching nine passes for 180 yards and a touchdown. He was an All-Pac 10 choice and a finalist for the Bilitnekoff Award.

Mitchell becomes the first Eagles first-round pick to report to camp on time since offensive tackle Tra Thomas in 1998. McNabb, the No. 2 pick in the 1999 draft, missed two weeks of camp. Last year, defensive tackle Corey Simon, the No. 6 pick, missed almost two weeks and a preseason game.