Justin Blackmon Inks 4-Year, $18.5 Million Deal With Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Justin Blackmon ended his 12-day holdout Monday and became the final drafted player in the 2012 NFL draft to sign on the dotted line.
According to ESPN, Blackmon and the Jaguars agreed to a four-year deal worth a reported $18.5 million, which is the maximum for a fifth pick under the NFL’s rookie wage system.
Despite his new contract with the Jags, Blackmon isn’t likely to play in the team’s first preseason game Friday against the New York Giants.
As pointed out by CBS Sports, new NFL rules call for a player to have three days of non-contact work before he’s allowed to put on full pads.
The former Oklahoma State star was arrested on an aggravated DUI charge in Stillwater, Okla., in June. He plead guilty to drunken driving last month but avoided jail time.
As a result of his plea bargain, Blackmon received a one-year deferred sentence, 50 hours of community service and a $500 fine. He also will probably join the NFL’s substance abuse program. It was the second DUI charge against Blackmon who received his first after a 2010 arrest.
While Blackmon’s signing certainly comes with a level of risk based on his past problems off the field, NFL.com notes that his abilities as a wideout will be welcomed by a Jaguar team severely lacking in the passing game.
As a junior at OSU Justin Blackmon caught 122 balls for 1,522 yards and 18 touchdowns. The entire Jags receiver corps in 2011 caught just 121 receptions for 1,359 yards and eight touchdowns.
