The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed their first-round pick in the 2015 Draft Dante Fowler to a four-year deal, despite his ACL injury.
The AFC South side selected the 20-year-old third overall out of the Florida Gators, but he tore his ACL on the first day of his team's rookie minicamp, ruling him out of the 2015 season.
However, the Jaguars have shown faith that Fowler will recover from the injury to play a crucial part in their future by signing him to the maximum four-year deal worth $23.5m (£14.9m), all of which is guaranteed.
"We are excited to get Dante under contract," Jaguars general manager David Caldwell told the club's official website. "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."
Fowler recorded 73 tackles and 14.5 sacks in his college career with the Gators.
