With players scheduled to report for training camp in San Antonio on Tuesday, the Cowboys reached agreements on contracts with six of their 12 draft picks Friday.
Linebacker Victor Butler, a fourth-rounder; safety DeAngelo Smith, a fifth-rounder; sixth-rounders Stephen Hodge, a linebacker, and tight end John Phillips; and seventh-rounders Mike Mickens, a cornerback, and wide receiver Manuel Johnson will receive four-year deals with minimum base salaries worth $310,000 (2009), $395,000 (2010), $480,000 (2011) and $565,000 (2012).
The Cowboys opened talks with their draft picks this week, and without a first- or second-round pick, they are expected to get all of the selections signed in time for the first practice Wednesday.
Butler and Smith are making position switches, with Butler moving from defensive end to outside linebacker in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense and Smith moving from cornerback to safety.
Butler tied an Oregon State record with 12 sacks last season and finished his career with 26, which are second-most in school history. Smith's 12 interceptions are second-most in Cincinnati history, trailing fellow draft pick Mike Mickens, who had 14.
Remaining unsigned are linebacker Jason Williams (third round), tackle Robert Brewster (third), quarterback Stephen McGee (fourth), linebacker Brandon Williams (fourth), safety Mike Hamlin (fifth) and kicker David Buehler (fifth).
