The Seattle Seahawks have reached a contract agreement with first-round tight end Jerramy Stevens, the former University of Washington standout, and the 28th player chosen overall in the draft.

Contract details were not immediately available, but it is believed Stevens will sign a five-year contract worth about $6.2 million. The basic parameters of the contract were believed to have been agreed to a few days ago, but some final details still needed to be worked out.

"I can just finally focus on just playing football, which is what they've got me in here to do,'' Stevens said Tuesday. "I've been watching the team on TV, working out twice a day and trying to stay in shape to make sure when I get here I'm ready to play. I'm excited about the opportunity I have.''

Entering the draft, the Seahawks clearly wanted to upgrade at tight end and targeted Daniel Graham of Colorado as a player in whom they were interested. But when the New England Patriots jumped ahead of them to grab Graham, the Seahawks opted instead for Stevens and he was impressive in spring practices.

The downside to Stevens is that he brings with him a long history of off-field problems, having pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault in 1998 and reckless driving in 2001. He was arrested on suspicion of rape in 2000 but never charged after prosecutors cited lack of evidence.

League sources told ESPN.com that the Seahawks have protected themselves because Stevens' contract includes stipulations that would allow the team to recoup a portion of the signing bonus if he experiences off-field problems.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Wednesday that Stevens' bonus amounts to $2.3 million but must be partially repaid if he runs afoul of the law or has other behavior problems.

Stevens told the newspaper he encouraged his agent to accept the unusual penalty provision.

"I think it helps both of us because we know exactly where we stand," he added. "That always makes it easier, when everybody knows where they are at."

Team officials said that Stevens has been a model citizen this spring and he certainly has incredible physical potential. At 6-feet-6¾ and 265 pounds, Stevens is an imposing figure and should be a huge and inviting target up the middle of the field for Seattle quarterbacks.

"There were some mistakes he made, which we've talked about, and now he has a clean slate and it's all about football,'' coach and general manager Mike Holmgren said.

Stevens has been timed in the high-4.7s in the 40-yard dash and he seems to possess a natural ability to find openings between the linebackers and safeties. His enormity aside, Stevens is still a far better receiver than blocker, and he will have to work hard on the latter aspect of his game.

Notable also is that injuries limited him to only five games and two starts in 2001, when he caught just 10 passes for 88 yards and one touchdown. He finished his college career with 74 receptions for 953 yards and eight touchdowns in 27 games and 22 starts.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.