First-rounder Joseph expected to sign today

First-round pick Johnathan Joseph, the cornerback from South Carolina, will sign a five-year contract by the end of today and could practice tonight at 7, a source told The Enquirer early this afternoon. Joseph was the No. 24 overall pick in the draft. He would be the first Bengals first-round pick since quarterback Carson Palmer in 2003 to sign before the start of camp. Palmer, the first overall pick that year, signed with the Bengals two days before the draft.