The market for Cowboys free agent cornerback Byron Jones is expected to “start” at $16-17MM per year, which would make Jones the NFL’s highest-paid corner, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link).
Jones is widely expected to leave Dallas, where the Cowboys simply have too many other stars — namely Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper — to re-sign before they can turn their attention to Jones. Thus far, a number of clubs have been tied to the Jones market, including the Raiders, Broncos, Lions, Eagles, Giants, and Jets.
The Dolphins’ Xavien Howard currently leads all cornerbacks with a $15.05MM annual salary. Recently-released Jet Trumaine Johnson had been second at $14.5MM, while the Vikings’ Xavier Rhodes, who could be cut himself in a matter of days, is third at $14.02MM. Jones should easily top all those figures, especially if interested parties drive up his price.
Jones, 27, played safety during his first three years in Dallas but switched to corner in 2018, promptly earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors. In 2019, Jones started 14 games for the Cowboys, and ranked 14th in both Pro Football Focus‘ CB grades and Football Outsiders‘ success rate metric.
Must be the perfect time to become a free agent CB. He’s so not worth it.
1 or less Ints in 2019 for all of those dudes too.
INTs is a less than great way to evaluate corners.
1. If they could catch they’d play receiver
2. If they are good, QBs will try to pick on someone else
Definitely an overpay going his way.
Texans will have a hard time keeping Roby and Joseph if CB’s are getting big bucks too now
Texans working to sign Roby but have agreed with JJ to part ways. JJ could no longer play man coverage and lost his job to Conley.
The market for CB help needs to readjust itself
Jalen Ramseys extension will be the largest ever
He’s a “good” CB, but he won’t go get the ball.
He never gets any INT’s not worth it
Deion sanders didn’t get interceptions because nobody threw his way so INT is unfair metric . Do you play games against Rodgers brees and mahomes or tanahill trubisky and Brissett? With that said second team pro bowler 17 freakin million dollars??? No way!!!!
Great analysis.
Deion Sanders had 53 career interceptions, good for 24th all time. He never had fewer than two interceptions in a season, even as a 38 year old who previously took three years off for retirement.
Byron Jones has two interceptions in his entire career. Why are you comparing him to Deion Sanders?
Sanders was a cowboy and he was top paid . Jones is a Cowboy and will be top paid. He is no way worth 17 million a year . Ask mahomes or Brady if he strikes fear in them to not throw his way. Sanders would fall asleep because they didn’t throw his way . Took away entire side of a field . Jones does not
I rather my eagles go after Cooper, then trade a 3rd or maybe even a 2nd for Darius slay from Detroit. Then we can get another stud WR in the 1st. Then start to pile up on DB’s starting in the 2nd/3rd. $17mil a season for Jones is crazy. Granted he would be our CB1 without question, but that’s still too much IMO
Yawn … Jeffery Lurie’s diary entry.