Who is the NFL's highest-paid cornerback? A look at the 32 top salaries for CBs in 2023.
The always-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 shutting 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 21 cornerbacks average eight-figure annual salaries.
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Who is the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL?
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. This offseason, however, Alexander agreed to restructure his contract, saving the team cap space this year and pushing back that money to future seasons.
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2023 NFL cornerback salary rankings
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. Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns: $20.1 million (5 years, $100.5 million)
3. Jalen Ramsey, Miami Dolphins: $20 million (5 years, $100 million)
4. Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens: $19.5 million (5 years, $97.5 million)
5 (tie). Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys: $19.4 million (5 years, $97 million)
5 (tie). Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints: $19.4 million (5 years, $97 million)
7. Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins: $18 million (5 years, $90 million)
8. Tre'Davious White, Buffalo Bills: $17.25 million (4 years, $69 million)
9. J.C. Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers: $16.5 million (5 years, $82.5 million)
10. Carlton Davis, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $14.83 million (3 years, $44.5 million)
11. Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles: $14 million (3 years, $42 million)
12. Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers: $13.5 million (3 years, $40.5 million)
13 (tie). Adoree' Jackson, New York Giants: $13 million (3 years, $39 million)
13 (tie). Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $13 million (4 years, $52 million)
15. James Bradberry, Philadelpha Eagles: $12.66 million (3 years, $38 million)
16. Donte Jackson, Carolina Panthers: $11.72 million (3 years, $38 million)
17 (tie). Cameron Sutton, Detroit Lions: $11 million (3 years, $33 million)
17 (tie). D.J. Reed, New York Jets: $11 million (3 years, $33 million)
19 (tie). Kendall Fuller, Washington Commanders: $10 million (4 years, $40 million)
19 (tie). Stephon Gilmore, Dallas Cowboys: $10 million (2 years, $20 million)
19 (tie). Darious Williams, Jacksonville Jaguars: $10 million (3 years, $30 million)
22. Jonathan Jones, New England Patriots: $9.5 million (2 years, $19 million)
23. Byron Murphy, Minnesota Vikings: $8.75 million (2 years, $17.5 million)
24. Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans: $8.66 million (4 years, $34.65 million)
25. Michael Davis, Los Angeles Chargers: $8.4 million (3 years, $25.2 million)
26. Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, New York Jets: $8.36 million (4 years, $33.45 million)
27. Kenny Moore, Indianapolis Colts: $8.32 million (4 years, $33.3 million)
28. Taron Johnson, Buffalo Bills: $8 million (3 years, $24 million)
29. Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks: $7.96 million (4 years, $31.86 million)
30. Avonte Maddox, Philadelphia Eagles: $7.5 million (3 years, $22.5 million)
31. Chidobe Awuzie, Cincinnati Bengals: $7.25 million (3 years, $21.75 million)
32 (tie). Patrick Peterson, Pittsburgh Steelers: $7 million (2 years, $14 million)
32 (tie). Rasul Douglas, Green Bay Packers: $7 million (3 years, $21 million)
Here’s the list of all the positions
- Highest-paid NFL players
- Quarterbacks
- Running back
- Receivers
- Tight ends
- Offensive tackles
- Offensive guards
- Centers
- Edge rushers
- Interior defensive linemen
- Linebackers
- Safeties
- Kickers
- Punters