Jaguars sign Ramsey with Surgery Forthcoming

For the second time in two years, the Jacksonville Jaguars could be looking at a potential long-term sideline stint for an early first-round pick. But news of a minor meniscus tear suffered by fifth overall selection, cornerback Jalen Ramsey, didn’t stop Jacksonville from signing its top recruit.

Today, the two parties reached agreement on a four-year, $23.3 million deal, including a touch over $15 million in guaranteed money. The news is bittersweet for Jags fans, who will be glad to have arguably the most talented prospect in this year’s draft locked up, but with an air of uncertainty regarding exactly when he will hit the field.

As it stands, Ramsey is still awaiting an official prognosis on his injury: a small meniscus tear in his right knee, suffered during on-field workouts through rookie minicamp. If the results come back positive, the DB could be back in time for training camp. Otherwise, he could miss four to six months of action.

Optimists might be encouraged by the fact that Ramsey would only miss the first few games of the 2016 season if his injury is worse than expected, but rookies benefit so immensely from training camp and preseason in the pros that this unfortunate injury could prove very inopportune indeed.

Ramsey would be missing out on the conditioning, physical adjustments and mental strain the game demands at his highest level – attributes that can’t be bolstered solely in walk-throughs and team meetings.

Such a claim will be tested once the Jags’ first-round pick from the draft before, pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr., takes his place in the defensive rotation. After tearing an ACL in the team’s first rookie practice this time last year, Fowler will be starting behind the learning curve as he attempts to make an impact on a defense that has just about reached the end of its rebuilding stage.

Ramsey, being a purer athlete burdened with a far less serious injury, could surprise us all and return as an immediate x-factor. If so, watch for Jacksonville to trend as a sexy pick for the AFC South crown, and with it, a long-awaited return to the playoffs.