Jaguars decline 5th-year option on Dante Fowler Jr.

The Jacksonville Jaguars declined the fifth-year contract option on defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., the third overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft.

"We do like Dante and we feel that he's on the verge of having a great season, but we did not pick up the fifth-year option at this time," executive vice president of football operations Tom Coughlin said in a statement.

"He is making good progress and we like how he practices and how he plays, as he did in the AFC Championship game, and we want him to have a great season and earn a new long-term contract with us this year."

Fowler racked up eight sacks last season and was an important member of Jacksonville's vaunted defense. He'll turn just 24 in August, and could parlay another strong showing in 2018 into a lucrative long-term deal with either the Jaguars or somebody else next year.

Fowler is one of three players taken in the top 10 of the 2015 draft to have his fifth-year option declined, joining Chicago Bears wide receiver Kevin White and New York Giants offensive tackle Ereck Flowers.

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