Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Cornerbacks: Salary Rankings

min read
Green Bay Packers' Jaire Alexander rides a bike to the NFL football team's practice field Saturday, July 30, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)
BetMGM @BETMGM Nov 03, 2022, 6:38 PM
  • 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

RankPlayerTeamTotal Cash
1Jaire AlexanderPackers$31.1 million
2J.C. JacksonChargers$28 million
3Marshon LattimoreSaints$24.1 million
4Derek Stingley Jr,Texas$23.1 million
5Ahmad GardnerJets$21.2 million
6Denzel WardBrowns$21 million
7Xavien HowardDolphins$18.3 million
8Darius SlayEagles$16.5 million
9Jalen RamseyRams$15 million
10Carlton DavisBucs$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

NFL Odds at BetMGM

BetMGM is the premier online sportsbook for updated NFL odds throughout the season.

From the preseason through the postseason, you can bet on spreads, moneylines, player props, and more. You can also take your entertainment to the next level with live betting and parlays.

Check out the sportsbook today to start betting!

Actor Jamie Foxx on the Welcome Offer BetMGM's banner.
About the Author

BetMGM

Read More @BETMGM

Our BetMGM editors and authors are sports experts with a wealth of knowledge of the sports industry at all levels. Their coverage includes sports news, previews and predictions, fun facts, and betting.

Our BetMGM editors and authors are sports experts with a wealth of knowledge of the sports industry at all levels. Their coverage includes sports news, previews and predictions, fun facts, and betting.