Jaguars pick up 5th-year option on star cornerback Ramsey

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have exercised the fifth-year option in cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s rookie contract.

The team made the announcement Thursday, about five hours before the start of the NFL draft and nearly two months after general manager Dave Caldwell said the option would be picked up.

The two-time Pro Bowl defender is now under contract through 2020. Unless he signs a long-term deal before then, Ramsey will earn about $10 million in 2020 — the average salary of the 10 highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL.

Ramsey, the fifth overall pick in the 2016 draft, signed a four-year, $23.35 million rookie contract. The deal was fully guaranteed, including a $15.63 million signing bonus.

Ramsey has 193 tackles, 44 pass breakups and nine interceptions in 48 games. He is skipping the team’s offseason program for the second straight year to work out closer to his home in Nashville, Tennessee.