National Football League

Saints agree to 4-year deal with 3rd-rounder Hicks

Published Jun. 28, 2012 7:40 p.m. ET

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New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis says the club and third-round draft choice Akiem Hicks have agreed on four-year contract.

Hicks, a 6-foot-5, 324-pound defensive tackle, was the top overall draft pick by the Saints, who traded this year's first-round choice in 2011 and who lost their 2012 second-round pick in connection with the NFL's bounty investigation.

Hicks, who briefly transferred to LSU from junior college but never played for the Tigers, finished his college career at the University of Regina in Canada.

There, Hicks started all eight games in which he appeared as a senior last season and was credited with 42 total tackles, including eight tackles for losses, 6 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Financial terms of Hicks' deal were not released.