First-round pick Brian Orakpo agrees to terms with Redskins, expected to be at practice Friday

No. 13 pick Orakpo agrees to terms with Redskins

ASHBURN, Va. — A day late and a year older, first-round draft pick Brian Orakpo went to work for the Washington Redskins.

The No. 13 overall selection from Texas was expected at practice Friday after agreeing to terms on a five-year deal Thursday night. The deal ends a one-day holdout — Orakpo was the only player absent when training camp opened on Thursday — and puts the 6-foot-4, 260-pound linebacker on the field in time for his 23rd birthday.

“This was more nerve-racking than actually being drafted,” Orakpo told the team’s Web site. “You really want to get in because you know your teammates are there working and you want to get in to get started to have a miraculous season.”

Details of Orakpo’s contract were not immediately available.

Orakpo was primarily a defensive end at Texas, where he had 11 sacks last season, but the Redskins envision him as their starting strongside linebacker who can play end in pass-rushing situations.

First-round picks have been slow in signing across the NFL this year. Even so, Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache was not happy when Orakpo was a no-show for the two practices on the first day — especially considering the rookie will be learning a new position.

“He’s not getting better,” Blache said Thursday. “We are not getting better as a team. When a guy holds out — doesn’t help him, doesn’t help the football team. The only person it benefits is the agent, so he can recruit people next year.”