An unrestricted free agent from the AFC West rival Denver Broncos, James will sign a five-year contract worth $18 million. The deal includes a signing bonus of about $2 million. Like most of the contracts negotiated by the Raiders, it is severely "backloaded" for salary cap purposes, but still should pay James about $7 million in his first three seasons in Oakland.

The agreement was confirmed for SportsLine by coaches from both teams.

James, 26, was the Broncos' second-round choice in the 1996 draft and spent his four seasons in Denver primarily as a backup. But in 1999, when he started four games and intercepted a career-best five passes, James demonstrated he might be ready to turn potential into production. He has youth on his side and owns solid coverage skills and instincts.

Oakland already has two superior cover corners in Charles Woodson and Eric Allen. But Allen is a 12-year veteran and, at age 34, is nearing retirement.

The addition of James could pay off now in terms of his "nickel" abilities and he could replace Allen at some point in the future. Oakland finished No. 12 in the league in 1999 in defense against the pass, but every team needs three quality corners anymore to defend all of the three- and four-wide receivers sets being used.

For his career, James has played in 48 games, six of them starts, and has seven interceptions.