Jaguars sign second-round selection, rookie WR Laviska Shenault Jr.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have inked their fifth rookie deal this year, signing second round selection Laviska Shenault Jr. to a four-year rookie deal earlier today.

Formally a Colorado receiver, Shenault is the highest draft pick the Jaguars have signed thus far this offseason and will ink an expected four-year contract worth $7,696,069, which includes a $3,157,141 signing bonus.

Shenault, taken with the 42nd-overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft is expected to play a major role with the Jaguars offense this year after tearing up the gridiron in three years at Colorado.

In his career, Shenault hauled in 149 passes for 1,943 yards and seven touchdowns, becoming one of the most-dominate collegiate athletes in the country. While his junior year was hampered with injuries, Shenault entered the season with high expectations, potentially finding himself as a top-10 selection.

During his sophomore season, the Colorado receiver caught 86 passes for 1,011 yards and five touchdowns. He added 115 yards and five touchdowns on the ground that year as well.

Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II expressed excitement for playing with the 6-foot-1, 227-pound wide receiver, sharing his experience from what he knew of him playing in the PAC-12 together in 2018.

“I remember playing against him in 2018 and he kind of banged up our game, which I was not upset about because he was the type of guy that every time he touched the ball you just got nervous because you knew he could break it, we had seen it on tape and at that point he was going to be in the talks for the Heisman until he got injured that year. He is a very special player,” said Minshew. “I am excited for him. He is just the type of guy that you get the ball in his hands and good things tend to happen.”

The Jaguars will be able to feature Shenault all across the offense, adding yet another dimension to what the team expects to be a brand-new offense under offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.

“It is nice throwing a 5-yard ball and him taking it 50, it definitely makes the quarterbacks job a lot easier so I am definitely excited to have, to add a guy like that into the room.”

The Jaguars have now signed five of their 12 draft picks this year, including Shenault, defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton, linebacker Shaq Quarterman, wide receiver Collin Johnson and tight end Tyler Davis.