Former Florida State cornerback Jalen Ramsey, taken by Jacksonville with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, signed his rookie contract Sunday after suffering a meniscus tear. The contract, as reported by ESPN’s Mike DiRocco, is worth $23.3 million with a $15.1 million signing bonus.
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This is the second time the Jaguars have had to deal with less-than-ideal beginnings for their rookie prospects, though Ramsey’s initial prognosis is optimistic. Last season was a different story: Former Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. — the No. 3 overall pick — tore his ACL, ending his rookie season before it even began.
The Jags also doubled down this year when they took a gamble on UCLA linebacker Myles Jack, himself coming off a torn meniscus from last September.
The Jags’ gamble could pay off in a big way for the defense if everything works out … or it could be another long year in Jacksonville.