The Seattle Seahawks have broken the ice on draft choice signings, reaching agreements with fifth-round defensive tackle Rocky Bernard and seventh-round quarterback Jeff Kelly.

The two players are the first of the Seahawks' 10 choices to agree to contract terms.

Both rookies signed three-year contracts which include the minimum base salaries of $225,000 (2002), $300,000 (2003) and $380,000 (2004). The 146th prospect selected overall, Bernard received a signing bonus of $118,000 and his salary cap value for the 2002 season is $264,333. Kelly, the 232nd player chosen, has a first-year salary cap charge of $235,333 and received a $31,000 signing bonus.

Seattle has a 2002 rookie pool allocation of $3.876 million.

Bernard, 23, had his best season in 2001, coming back from a medical redshirt the prior season to become the only Texas A&M defensive lineman to start every game. He registered 69 tackles, including 15 for losses, five sacks and seven quarterback pressures.

At 6 feet 3 and 294 pounds, he might need a bit more bulk to play inside consistently, but might be better suited early in his career to a "swing" role, alternating at tackle and end. He has some explosiveness up the field and is better in a closed area than when playing in space. Bernard has strong hands and the ability to grab and toss a blocker.

He appeared in 45 games, starting 31 of them, for his career. Bernard totaled 170 tackles for his career, with 12 sacks and a dozen pressures.

Kelly, 22, was a three-year starter at Southern Mississippi. He has a quick release, reads defenses well and rarely makes a bad decision.

He started all 11 games for three consecutive seasons and completed 571 of 975 passes for 7,095 yards, with 51 touchdown passes and 33 interceptions. He figures to compete for the No. 3 spot on the roster.

In other draft choice news, the Carolina Panthers reached agreement with fifth-round fullback Kyle Johnson and the Indianapolis Colts reached agreement with seventh-round defensive tackle David Pugh.

The third of the Panthers' nine choices to come to terms, Johnson will sign a three-year contract for $1.025 million, which includes a signing bonus of $120,000 and a 2002 cap number of $265,000. Pugh is the first of the Indianapolis choices to agree on a deal and will sign a three-year, $976,000 contract. It includes a $71,000 signing bonus and a cap value of $248,667 for this season.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.