Miami Dolphins: Byron Jones, CB
Byron Jones had a breakout season in 2018 with the Dallas Cowboys and again played well in 2019. Known for his skill in man-coverage, he then cashed in during the 2020 offseason when the Miami Dolphins paid him $82.5 million over five years.
And as pointed out by Lucas Mascherin of The Landry Hat, Dallas had a tough decision to make but in the end, it was the right one. Jones struggled to live up to that lofty contract, giving up nearly 18 yards per reception while hardly making a play on the ball all year.
"“Last season with the Dolphins, Jones did not play that well. He only made six plays on the ball, gave up 17.6 yards per completion and a 60.3 percent completion percentage.” — Mascherin, The Landry Hat"
He played better in 2021, but not by much — and Miami went on to sign Xavier Howard to another huge contract which could spell trouble for Jones when it comes down to the final years of his deal.
The biggest knock on Jones is his inability to make a play on the ball. While he did have two picks in 2020, he had just two in his first five seasons with Dallas. He again had none in 2021, meaning he now has four in seven years. While there’s much more to playing corner than picks, it’s rather surprising to see him earning so much when this is a weakness of his.