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The Jacksonville Jaguars have wrapped up the final major hurdle with regards to their 2019 rookie class, reaching a contract agreement with first-round pick Josh Allen. Though terms of the deal were yet to be disclosed, the NFL’s rookie slotted system shows Allen is projected to earn $22.8 million over four years, with a $14.6 million bonus due at signing.
The team will also gain a fifth-year option in 2023, should Allen’s performance deserve it.
Plenty of reasons to smile.@JoshAllen41_ has officially signed his contract. #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/sdnK34cDE3
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) May 23, 2019
Selected No. 7 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, after somewhat shockingly falling to the Jaguars having been projected as a “sure fire” top five selection by most draft experts, Allen has been regarded by many as a steal for the team and is projected to contribute immediately come September as both a down lineman in pass rushing situations and as a potential strong side linebacker when the team goes to it’s base defensive personnel.
Allen enters the NFL coming off a 2018 collegiate season that saw him receive nearly every defensive accolade a collegiate player can earn outside of the Heisman Trophy, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy awarded to the nation’s top defender, as he registered 17 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss, and 88 total tackles as a senior in arguably the toughest conference in college football.
The signing now allows the Jaguars to enter the remainder of their offseason workouts and training camp with the entirety of their rookie draft class under contract.