Report: Dolphins land Byron Jones for CB-record $16.5M per year
The Miami Dolphins will sign cornerback Byron Jones, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Jones' deal will pay him $82.5 million over five years and includes $57 million in guarantees and $40 million across the first two seasons, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The annual average value of $16.5 million will make Jones the NFL's highest-paid cornerback, surpassing new Dolphins teammate Xavien Howard ($15.05 million).
The Las Vegas Raiders also offered Jones a huge amount of money in a tax-free state, but Miami's structure was apparently more appealing, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
A first-round selection in 2015, Jones has played his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys. The versatile defensive back, who's primarily manned cornerback over the past two seasons, was considered the top player at his position on the open market.
In coverage last season, Jones allowed only 53.1% of passes to be completed and held quarterbacks to a passer rating of 87.7.
The Dolphins allowed 262.4 passing yards per game in 2019, the sixth-highest mark in the league.