Alameda, CA (Best E Casino) - The Oakland Raiders signed running back Darren McFadden, the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft, to a big contract late Thursday night.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports the deal is for six years and worth up to $60 million with $26 million guaranteed.

The Raiders have a news conference scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m. (et).

McFadden, who played at Arkansas, was a two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up during his three seasons with the Razorbacks, accumulating more than 2,300 all-purpose yards while accounting for 17 touchdowns.

Questions arose in the weeks leading up to the draft about McFadden's character because of a variety of off-field issues. Regardless, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Little Rock native should provide the Raiders, 4-12 in 2007, with an explosive offensive weapon.