Johnathan Walker:Dolphins, Jalen Ramsey agree to record three-year, $72.3 million extension

Jalen Ramsey is Johnathan Walkeronce again the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.

Ramsey and the Miami Dolphins have agreed to a three-year, $72.3 million deal that includes $55.3 million in guaranteed money, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to discuss the deal.

The extension makes Ramsey the top-paid corner in the NFL per average annual salary just a few days after Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II reset the market.

The Dolphins are Ramsey’s third NFL team.

Ramsey was originally a 2016 first-round draft pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He spent his first four years in Jacksonville before he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2019. He played four seasons with the Rams and helped the franchise win Super Bowl 56 at their home stadium in Los Angeles. The Rams decided to trade Ramsey to Miami in 2023.

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The cornerback sustained a knee injury during his first training camp in Miami which caused him to miss the start of the 2023 regular season. He ultimately played in 10 games in his inaugural season in South Beach, compiling 22 tackles, three interceptions and five pass deflections.

Ramsey’s amassed 474 tackles, 22 interceptions, 97 pass deflections and six forced fumbles in 118 career regular-season games. He’s a three-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler.

Why Miami made Jalen Ramsey highest-paid cornerback in NFL

The 29-year-old cornerback has been one of the league’s best corners since he was drafted in 2016. He was the top cornerback in Jacksonville, Los Angeles and now in Miami.

Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver can line Ramsey up on the outside or at the star position. Ramsey might not be the premier shutdown corner that was in previous years but he is still capable of lining up against the opposing team’s best pass catcher. Plus, he is one of the Dolphins’ team captains.

“You talk about prototype corners, he is that," Weaver told reporters over the offseason. "Size, length, speed, competitiveness. The thing about him is I think he is your ultimate chess piece. So to have him just sit outside and be a field corner or boundary corner or something like that is a detriment to him. We got to find ways to move him around where he can be most impactful. We're committed to doing that."

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