The expansion Houston Texans, who this weekend will become the first NFL team to open camp, will also become the first franchise to get all its draft choices under contract.

The team Thursday evening reached agreement with tailback Jonathan Wells, a fourth-round choice from Ohio State, on a three-year, $1.255 million contract. The deal includes a $350,000 signing bonus and base salaries of $225,000 (2002), $300,000 (2003) and $380,000 (2004). The 2002 cap figure is $341,667.

That accord leaves the Texans with just one of its league-high 12 draft choices, second-round wide receiver Jabar Gaffney of Florida, still to sign. And league sources said Thursday night that Gaffney, expected to be a starter as a rookie, is close to an agreement and will almost certainly consummate his contract on Friday.

Houston got off to a quick start, of course, in the signing derby by reaching an agreement with quarterback David Carr, the first player selected overall, before the draft. But the sheer volume of bargaining that faced chief negotiator Dan Ferens was daunting, and lately it seems the Texans have been finishing a deal almost daily.

Wells is one of several rookies who will challenge for starting jobs with the expansion club. The former Buckeyes standout missed much of the early offseason work because of a league rule that precludes a rookie from joining a team until his school has held its commencement exercises, and Ohio State has a late graduation date.

But the Houston coaches like Wells' size, speed and toughness and feel that he could start by the middle of the season. The two most experienced tailbacks on the roster are James Allen and Travis Prentice.

In four college seasons, Wells rushed for 2,418 yards and 27 touchdowns on 479 carries. His best season was his senior year, when he ran for 1,331 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also has some experience returning kickoffs.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.