- Jaire Alexander is the NFL's highest-paid cornerback.
- Two rookies are in the top five for total cash.
- Jalen Ramsey is barely inside the top 10.
There were zero $20-million NFL cornerbacks in 2021. There are six $20-million NFL cornerbacks in 2022.
The list of highest-paid NFL players might not be peppered with cornerbacks, but there are nearly two dozen of them scheduled to make at least $10 million, 10 of whom are scheduled to make $15 million.
By total cash, here are the highest-paid NFL cornerbacks for 2022:
Highest-Paid NFL Cornerbacks: Salary Rankings, 2022
Rank | Player | Team | Total Cash |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Jaire Alexander | Packers | $31.1 million |
2 | J.C. Jackson | Chargers | $28 million |
3 | Marshon Lattimore | Saints | $24.1 million |
4 | Derek Stingley Jr, | Texas | $23.1 million |
5 | Ahmad Gardner | Jets | $21.2 million |
6 | Denzel Ward | Browns | $21 million |
7 | Xavien Howard | Dolphins | $18.3 million |
8 | Darius Slay | Eagles | $16.5 million |
9 | Jalen Ramsey | Rams | $15 million |
10 | Carlton Davis | Bucs | $15 million |
1. Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers
Jaire Alexander’s four-year, $84-million contract – signed in May 2022 – doesn’t begin until 2023, but the former first-round pick will cash in this season, his fifth with the Packers.
Jaire Alexander career earnings: $12,220,229
2. J.C. Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers
As an undrafted free agent, J.C. Jackson made just $1.6 million in total cash over his first two seasons (2018-19) and $5.7 million over his first four seasons (2018-21).
With a five-year, $82.5-million free-agent deal in Los Angeles, Jackson is scheduled to make at least $12 million annually from 2022-26.
J.C. Jackson career earnings: $5,695,632
3. Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints
In the first year of a five-year, $97.6-million contract, Marshon Lattimore is the highest-paid player on the Saints. No other teammate will earn more than $20 million in total cash in 2022.
Marshon Lattimore career earnings: $33,103,563
4. Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans
Derek Stingley’s selection as the third overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft earned him a four-year, fully guaranteed $34.7-million rookie contract. Most of his 2022 cash comes via a $22.4-million signing bonus.
Derek Stingley Jr. career earnings: $0
5. Ahmad Gardner, New York Jets
Three years after he was the nation’s 1,672nd-ranked player in the 2019 college football recruiting class, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner signed one of the biggest cornerback rookie deals in NFL history.
Approximately two-thirds of his fully guaranteed four-year, $33.5-million deal is due in 2022.
Ahmad Gardner career earnings: $0
6. Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns
Denzel Ward’s five-year, $105-million contract doesn’t start until 2023, but the former No. 4 overall pick will make big money in 2022.
Denzel Ward career earnings: $29,517,903
7. Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins
After months of trade rumors – and reported attempts by some teams, including the Baltimore Ravens in November 2021 – Xavien Howard signed a five-year, $90-million contract to remain in Miami.
The All-Pro corner is due at least $16.8 million in each of the next five seasons.
Xavien Howard career earnings: $49,094,446
8. Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles
Darius Slay is in the second year of a three-year, $50.1-million deal that includes $30.1 million guaranteed. He has a base salary of just $1.1 million in 2022.
Darius Slay career earnings: $70,489,394
9(t). Carlton Davis, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carlton Davis earned a total of $5.7 million over his first four seasons after a second-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.
He’s scheduled to earn at least $14.5 million annually throughout his three-year, $44.5-million deal that runs through 2024.
Carlton Davis career earnings: $5,747,053
9(t). Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams
Jalen Ramsey’s five-year, $100-million contract includes $71.2 million guaranteed, $25 million of which came via a signing bonus. He has a base salary of at least $14.5 million from 2022-25.
Ramsey’s teammates Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald sit atop their respective highest-paid lists: highest-paid NFL quarterbacks, highest-paid NFL wide receivers, and highest-paid defensive linemen.
Jalen Ramsey career earnings: $67,141,078
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