At this rate, the Eagles could have their draft picks all signed and accounted for before the veterans report next week for organized training activities (OTAs) let alone training camp.

The Eagles are making quick work of signing their draft picks as tight end Brent Celek agreed to a four-year deal and cornerback Rashad Barksdale signed a four-year deal on Wednesday. Celek, a fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati, and Barksdale, a sixth-round pick out of Albany, are the fourth and fifth of the Eagles draft picks to agree to terms on or sign a contact. Linebacker Stewart Bradley and running back Tony Hunt, both third-round picks, and safety C.J. Gaddis, a fifth-round pick, were the other members of the Class of 2007 to sign their rookie contracts.

CB Rashad Barksdale

The only remaining players left for the Eagles to do business with are both their second-round picks - quarterback Kevin Kolb and defensive end Victor Abiamiri - and seventh-round pick, running back Nate Ilaoa.

The 6-foot-4, 261-pound Celek led all Big East tight ends as a senior in receptions (35) and yards (481), while adding three touchdowns, including an 83 yarder which helped upset previously-undefeated seventh-ranked Rutgers. A two-year Big East All-Academic team selection, the 22-year-old Celek finished his career ranked third on the school's all-time list among tight ends in receptions (91) and touchdowns (14), while amassing 1,135 yards. A second-team All-Conference USA recipient as a sophomore, he set a Bearcat single-season record for touchdowns (8) by a tight end.

After playing baseball for two years at I-AA Albany, the 5-11, 208-pound Barksdale decided that with one year of college eligibility left to give the football team a try. Wanting to walk on as a running back, Barksdale was moved to the defensive side of the football. He started out at safety before being moved to cornerback. Barksdale started in 10 games and registered 37 tackles, three interceptions and three knockdowns. His best game came against No. 11 Delaware where he had two interceptions to help the Great Danes to an upset.

To celebrate his newfound riches, Barksdale is not going to fritter away his money on trivial items. Instead, he's going to pay off his student loans. That's something you rarely hear of.

"I'm going to get that over with so it doesn't hurt my credit," said Barksdale after rookie camp practice Wednesday. "I'm going to get that out of the way. It's been four years of student loans and now that I am very fortunate to have the money to just pay it off instead of other college guys, who come out of school and they have so much stress just thinking about paying it off."

With good size and speed (just a shade over 4.4 in the 40-yard dash), Barksdale will have time to learn behind veterans Lito Sheppard, Sheldon Brown and William James. Despite his lack of college experience, Barksdale doesn't think of himself as a project.

"I think I can go in there and compete like everybody else," said Barksdale. "Football comes so natually to me in life. I have athletic ability to do what I have to do and compete."

And apparently the Eagles agree, as they rewarded his one year of football at the college level with a four-year deal.