In a deal that might at least slightly alter the team's draft priorities, the Denver Broncos have reached a contract agreement with unrestricted free agent offensive tackle Ephraim Salaam, a veteran who played the first four years of his career with the Atlanta Falcons.

The agreement, anticipated for several days, is for seven years. Financial details were not yet available, but ESPN.com has confirmed that Salaam will receive a signing bonus of $700,000, along with a 2002 base salary of $525,000.

Salaam, 25, will compete for the starting job at right tackle, with Matt Lepsis scheduled to move to the left side where he will replace the departed Trey Teague. But those plans could change if the Broncos land free agent Blake Brockermeyer, a standout left tackle released by the Chicago Bears last week.

Brockermeyer, who also was being pursued by the San Francisco 49ers, might not make a decision on his future until after the draft. Still, the acquisition of Salaam, who started 10 games or more in all four years with the Falcons, means the Broncos don't have the same sense of urgency about having to select a tackle in the first round of the draft.

The former San Diego State tackle provides experience on the right side, where he played since his rookie season, and he still is a young veteran who will continue to improve.

A seventh-round choice in the 1998 draft, Salaam started all 16 games for the Falcons as a rookie, and started in the team's Super Bowl XXXIII appearance that season. His play slipped a bit in 1999, but he retained his starting job, and then started a total of 23 games the past two years.

In all, Salaam has appeared in 60 games and started 55 of them.

Built more like a left tackle, Salaam has good power coming off the ball and that allows him to play the right side. His progress has been slowed in part by a change of coaches and philosophies on the Atlanta offensive line. Salaam should have enough agility to adapt to the Broncos' unusual blocking scheme, which emphasizes quickness over power.

Salaam was pursued by several teams, particularly the New Orleans Saints, early during the signing period. As offensive linemen were signed by teams leaguewide, however, he became less of a priority. The Broncos became interested some time ago, but accelerated discussions in the past week.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.