Here’s what we know now about NFL Guardian Caps
Guardian Caps provide extra protection on top of player helmets in an inherently violent sport. Will these change the game? Here’s what we know now.
The ever-increasing emphasis on the passing game has made the NFL’s top cornerbacks even more valuable.
Shutdown cornerbacks are very difficult to find, with the league’s best capable of locking down — or at least limiting, given how the rules are significantly slanted toward offense — the top wide receivers. The skill level required to master the position also is considerable, with wide receiver-cornerback duels among the most intense one-on-one matchups in the game. This is why the highest-paid cornerbacks annually make around $20 million a season. A total of 19 cornerbacks average eight-figure annual salaries.
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In May 2022, Jaire Alexander agreed to a four-year, $84 million contract extension with the Green Bay Packers. The $21 million-per-season average on that deal makes Alexander the league’s highest-paid cornerback.
Here are the cornerback salary rankings based on average annual value, according to Over The Cap:
1. Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers: $21 million (4 years, $84 million)
2. A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons: $20.25 million (4 years, $81 million)
3. Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns: $20.1 million (5 years, $100.5 million)
4. Jalen Ramsey, Miami Dolphins: $20 million (5 years, $100 million)
5. Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens: $19.5 million (5 years, $97.5 million)
6 (tie). Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys: $19.4 million (5 years, $97 million)
6 (tie). Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints: $19.4 million (5 years, $97 million)
8. Tyson Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars: $19.125 million (4 years, $76.5 million)
9. L’Jarius Sneed, Tennessee Titans: $19.1 million (4 years, $76.5 million)
10. Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears: $19 million (4 years, $76 million)
11. Carlton Davis, Detroit Lions: $14.8 million (3 years, $44.5 million)
12. Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers: $13.5 million (3 years, $40.5 million)
13 (tie). Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $13 million (4 years, $52 million)
13 (tie). Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles: $13 million (3 years, $39 million)
15. James Bradberry, Philadelphia Eagles: $12.7 million (3 years, $38 million)
16. Chidobe Awuzie, Tennessee Titans: $12 million (3 years, $36 million)
17. D.J. Reed, New York Jets: $11 million (3 years, $33 million)
18. Taron Johnson, Buffalo Bills: $10.3 million (3 years, $30.8 million)
19. Kenny Moore, Indianapolis Colts: $10 million (3 years, $30 million)
20. Jonathan Jones, New England Patriots: $9.5 million (2 years, $19 million)
21. Byron Murphy, Minnesota Vikings: $8.8 million (2 years, $17.5 million)
22. Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans: $8.7 million (4 years, $34.7 million)
23. Sean Murphy-Bunting, Arizona Cardinals: $8.5 million (3 years, $25.5 million)
24. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, New York Jets: $8.4 million (4 years, $33.5 million)
25. Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks: $7.9 million (4 years, $31.9 million)
26 (tie). Darious Williams, Los Angeles Rams: $7.5 million (3 years, $22.5 million)
26 (tie). Kendall Fuller, Miami Dolphins: $7.5 million (2 years, $15 million)
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