On the first day of rookie minicamp after the draft, the first-round defensive end from Florida tore his anterior cruciate ligament during 11-on-11 drills. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Four days after Dante Fowler Jr. went down for the season with a left knee injury in his first NFL practice, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft reached agreement with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a four-year, $32.5 million contract Tuesday.
Fowler’s rookie contract is the maximum allowed under the NFL’s slotting system and is fully guaranteed, according to NFL.com.
On the first day of rookie minicamp after the draft, the first-round defensive end from Florida tore his anterior cruciate ligament during 11-on-11 drills.
“We are excited to get Dante under contract,” Jaguars general manager David Caldwell said. “Negotiations with Dante’s representatives were ongoing prior to his injury last weekend and nothing has changed. His attitude and spirit that he has shown recently are part of the reasons we selected him third overall.
“He understands the process ahead of him and is willing to do the work. He has a bright future ahead of him with the Jaguars and we look forward to him getting back on the field in 2016 and for many years to come.”
The 6-foot-3, 261-pound Fowler is expected to return for the start of training camp in 2016.
“I want to thank (owner) Shad Khan, David Caldwell and (coach) Gus Bradley for the opportunity they have given me,” Fowler said. “My focus right now is solely on getting better each and every day and attacking my rehab with the same mindset as a pass rusher.”
