The Houston Texans have signed first-round pick Whitney Mercilus to a 4-year deal.

Mercilus was the 26th overall pick in this year's draft out of Illinois.

The 6-foot-4, 254-pound player was a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme at Illinois but has moved to outside linebacker in the 3-4 alignment the Texans use.

He started just one season in college, but was the nation's leader in sacks with 16 and forced fumbles with eight.

The Texans did not release financial terms of the deal.