Jacksonville Jaguars 2015 first round pick Dante Fowler will essentially be a rookie in 2016 after suffering an ACL injury and missing all of the 2015 season. What can we expect from the pass rusher this year?
On May 8th 2015, the Jacksonville Jaguars defense suffered a huge blow. That is because 2015 first round pick, and the 3rd overall pick in the draft, Dante Fowler, tore his ACL on the first day of the team’s rookie mini-camp.
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Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union wrote back in late December,
"“I was so blindsided by it,” Fowler said. My first practice, all of the expectations that I was going to have on me, the things I wanted to accomplish. … For it not to happen, it sucked.”As the game began, so did Fowler’s tears.I couldn’t handle it,” he says. “I play with my heart on my sleeve and am so passionate and love the game and dreamed about this as a kid, and here it finally was, and I wasn’t able to be on the stage that I needed to be on.”"
Fowler’s absence was felt during the season as the team managed to generate only 36 sacks. Jared Odrick was the teams sack leader with a mere five and a half.
Though we aren’t sure of the kind of impact Fowler will make at the next level, it’s safe to say he would have been a better option than Chris Clemson and Andre Branch, who together combined for just seven sacks.
The injury to Fowler was devastating, but it happened at the right time for both Fowler and the Jags.
For one, ACL injuries are no longer a death sentence to players that they once were. We have seen myriad NFL players make huge comebacks after tearing an ACL. Adrian Peterson and Von Miller are both examples of that.
Adrian Peterson tore his ACL in the last game of the 2011 season, and came back in time for the 2012 season, where he was named MVP and ran for over 2,000 yards.
Von Miller also tore his ACL late in the 2013 season. He wound up missing the Super Bowl. However, Miller came back the next season and got to the quarterback 14 times. We know the kind of impact Miller had in the Broncos run to the Super Bowl recently as well.
Fowler tearing his ACL in May is much better than tearing it in training camp or possibly anytime during the season. The former Florida Gator is still only 21 years old, and will be 22 years old in August when preseason is underway. By the time training camp starts he will be 14 months removed from the injury.
During the rehabilitation process, Fowler has had time to add strength and bulk to his build He now weights 260 pounds, which is 10 more than his time with the Florida Gators.
Fowler’s goal in 2016: Don’t just be ready for the Jaguars’ Sept. 11, 2016, opener — be a force (via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union).
Fowler has had plenty of time to watch film and learn from his teammates and coaches. He was also able to be a spectator all of the 2015 season and absorb the speed and other intricate parts of the game.
It is reasonable to expect the 2015 third overall pick to get anywhere from seven to twelve sacks in 2016.
Ryan O’Halloran (Florida Times-Union) said in December,
"“All Jaguars fans have to go on with Fowler is his dazzling-at-times Florida highlights. Asked what the long-suffering supporters can expect next fall, he smiles.They’re going to see a lot of energy,” he says. “I’ll get them up rocking. It will be fun.”"
Below are more highlights to get you ready for his first year playing for the Jags.
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Fowler could be paired with Joey Bosa or Noah Spence, if the Jaguars select either with the number-five pick in the 2016 draft.