The Miami Dolphins have one of the building blocks for their revamped offensive line.
First-round draft pick signing tracker
No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney has already signed his deal with the Texans. Find out which other first-rounders have secured contracts. **More...**
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday, per a source who has seen the contract, that the team signed first-round pick Ja'Wuan James, the No. 19 overall selection in May's draft. The team later announced the move.
Unique in the deal? It's the first time a No. 19 pick has secured a fully guaranteed contract (skill, injury and cap) under the new CBA, per Rapoport. James received a four-year deal worth approximately $8.4 million with a signing bonus of $4.45 million. That's far more money than the No. 19 slot typically receives, Rapoport noted.
James is slated to start at right tackle on Day 1 and will represent one-quarter of the new line following the Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin controversy. The only holdover is center Mike Pouncey.
James was durable at Tennessee, setting the university benchmark for career starts with 49.
NFL Media draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki called James "very smart, mature and highly respected."
That's just the kind of locker room presence the Dolphins need after a disastrous 2013.
In the latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast," the guys make the case that multiple teams have closed the gap on the Seahawks and 49ers in the NFC.
