Matt Elam, Baltimore Ravens agree on contract terms

Baltimore Ravens safety Matt Elam was drafted in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft in part to replace Ed Reed. No pressure there.

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 ...**

Elam will not have any additional pressure created by missing training-camp time. The Ravens' official website reported Thursday that Elam agreed in principle to a four-year contract with an option for a fifth year. The Baltimore Sun reported the contract is worth $6.767 million and includes a $3.301 million signing bonus.

Our own Chris Wesseling called Elam the most important rookie in the entire AFC North, and it's hard to disagree. Elam almost is sure to start opposite free-agent acquisition Michael Huff. Both players can move back and forth between free and strong safety. All reports from minicamp season were very positive, with Elam reportedly around the ball plenty.

"Matt Elam is what we expected and maybe a little bit more," Ravens secondary coach Teryl Austin said during minicamp.

Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.