The Miami Dolphins agreed to a deal with Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Jones on Monday that will make the former Dallas Cowboy the highest-paid player at his position, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Jones will sign a five-year, $82.5 million deal, with $57 million in guaranteed money and $40 million paid in the first two years.
According to the SportsLine Projection Model, the deal will drop the Cowboys below 10 wins this season, while Miami's win total increases. Dallas is among the favorites at 12-1 in the NFL odds to win the championship in the coming season, while the rebuilding Dolphins are 200-1 long shots.
The Dolphins, who went 5-11 last season, were projected to win 4.2 games and had a 0.4 percent chance of making the playoffs. The Model shows that win total rising to 4.4, while the playoff percentage nearly doubles to 0.9.
The Cowboys, who went 8-8 and missed the playoffs, were pegged at 10 wins by the Model with Jones on the roster, but they dropped to 9.7 after the deal.
The Model also shows the chances of Dallas winning the division and making the playoffs both dropped by well over 6 percent, with the postseason outlook going from 76.9 to 70.4.
Jones' deal gives the Dolphins the two highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL. It exceeds the then-record extension signed before last season that will earn Xavien Howard $76.5 million, with $46 million guaranteed, over five years.
The Cowboys had the 10th-best defense in the league last season against the pass, allowing 223.5 yards per game, while the Dolphins were 26th, giving up 262.4.
Jones was the Cowboys' top cornerback last season, but with quarterback Dak Prescott and star wide receiver Amari Cooper set to become free agents, Jones was not the highest priority.
Prescott received the team's franchise tag Monday, and Cooper was a big part of the QB's success last season. Cooper had 1,189 yards as Prescott threw for more than 4,000 for the first time.
Another cornerback signing Monday was James Bradberry, who agreed with the New York Giants on a three-year, $45 million deal with $32 million guaranteed.
The Model shows the addition boosting the Giants from six wins to 6.2, and the likelihood of making the postseason and winning the division jumping almost a full percentage point. New York now has a 7.9 percent chance at the postseason, up from 7.0.
Bradberry was a priority for the Carolina Panthers to re-sign, but he indicated he would shop around after the team fired coach Ron Rivera. The 27-year-old was drafted in the second round of the 2016 draft by new Giants general manager Dave Gettleman.
As the NFL offseason plays out, and the signings and the 2020 NFL Draft impact the NFL odds, check back here for updates and analysis,
