Dallas Cowboys seventh round pick Ben Gardner, the defensive end out of Stanford, has become the first of the team’s nine selections to sign. According to the Dallas Morning News, the four-year deal is worth just north of $2.2 million.
Gardner started each of Stanford’s 14 games in 2012 but, last year, his season was cut short after eight games when he suffered a torn pectoral. But, after missing the Senior Bowl as well as the NFL Scouting Combine, Gardner says he has recovered from the injury and will be ready to participate in the Cowboys’ rookie mini-camp.
"I’m fully healthy and just ready to play football again,” Gardner said.
According to Jason Garrett, Gardner will begin his Cowboys career at left end, but has the versatility to move inside to tackle, if need be.
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