First-round draft pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has signed his rookie contract with the Green Bay Packers, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday, per a source involved in the deal.
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The safety will make $8,338,501 over four years, with a $4,384,364 signing bonus, Rapoport added. As with all first-round picks, Clinton-Dix has a four-year deal with a non-negotiable fifth-year club option.
With the safety position one of the Packers' top needs entering the draft, general manager Ted Thompson saw the former Alabama All-American fall in his lap at No. 21 overall.
"I kind of went back and looked at Green Bay (before the draft) and (thought), 'You know, they could use some help (at safety and) on the defensive side of the ball, period, with the great offense they already have,'" Clinton-Dix said earlier this week, per Fox Sports Wisconsin.
"They brought me here for a reason," he continued. "I love to play safety. I'm here. I'm ready for it."
The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Clinton-Dix has reportedly been taking second-team reps early in OTAs behind Morgan Burnett and Micah Hyde. It's typical for a team to slow-play their rookies' participation in the starting lineup. However, in Around The League's projected starters series, Gregg Rosenthal noted that Clinton-Dix should begin the season as the starter.
With a talent like Clinton-Dix patrolling the center field and other additions plugging big holes on the Packers' defense, there is no doubt Green Bay will be a favorite choice to make a Super Bowl run in 2014.
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