Another one bites the dust!
The Miami Dolphins’ long road to a completely signed 2020 rookie class continues this week and the latest development is a promising one — the team has inked the second of their three first round selections in this year’s NFL Draft. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Miami Dolphins have agreed to terms with former USC offensive tackle Austin Jackson — making him the 9th member of the Miami Dolphins’ 2020 rookie class to sign his contract.
The Dolphins have signed first round OT Austin Jackson, per source. He’s the second of their three first round picks to sign his rookie deal.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 11, 2020
The Dolphins came out of the gate red hot in regard to signings last month, nailing down over half of the rookie class in the span of a week. The last few lingering Dolphins to sign have been a slower process, yet Miami is still very much ahead of the curve relative to many other teams across the league in finalizing these rookie contracts.
For Jackson, the deal is believed to be a 4-year, $13.6M contract and will have a team option for a 5th-year, as is standard for 1st-round NFL Draft selections.
Getting this deal finalized is a big one for Miami as the team braces for the start of training camp next month, as Jackson will need as much time as possible with his new teammates — and particularly LG Ereck Flowers — in order to establish the needed chemistry to play at a high level up front. The Dolphins will be tested early in the season; they’ll play two fearsome front sevens within the division in each of the first two weeks. The games against New England and Buffalo to open the year have the potential to set a strong tone for the year or, conversely, act as a frustrating setback to the momentum Miami ended the season with in 2020.
Having Jackson, the assumed starter at left tackle, in house for camp will be a big factor in giving Miami’s line a fighting chance in those critical early-season games.