The Dallas Cowboys selected center Travis Frederick with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, ostensibly to act as a bodyguard for their $108 million quarterback.
Tony Romo's wrist-breaking enforcer is now under contract. The Cowboys announced Tuesday that Frederick has signed a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth year.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported, via a source who has seen the contract, that Frederick received a $3.38 million signing bonus. The 32nd overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, New York Giants running back David Wilson, got just under $7 million, per Rapoport.
Draft signings
The New Orleans Saints' Kenny Vaccaro and Detroit Lions' Ziggy Ansah were the first of the 2013 NFL Draft first-round selections to sign. Follow all the moves right here. **More ...**
Frederick widely was viewed as one of the biggest reaches in this year's draft. Several teams reportedly had late-round grades on the Wisconsin center, and the Cowboys' leaked draft board even revealed a second-round grade.
On a positive note, Frederick ran with the first-team offense all season. Although he's technically competing with Phil Costa, all signs point toward the rookie starting from Day 1.
In a best-case scenario, the Cowboys will have their version of Nick Mangold to join left tackle Tyron Smith in anchoring the offensive line. NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt believes Frederick actually compares favorably to the New York Jets' All-Pro.
Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.
