Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Cornerbacks: Salary Rankings

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

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