Joe Haden – Cleveland Browns
2014 Cap Number: $12.13 million
This past offseason saw the mark for the league’s most expensive cornerback get topped on four separate occasions. The last, and thus the new record holder for the largest contract in the league at the position, belongs to the Cleveland Browns and Joe Haden.
The problem is that Haden simply isn’t in the same class as other players at his compensation level. Haden is a decent player, but paying him more than Seattle’s Richard Sherman or New England’s Darrell Revis simply doesn’t make much sense.
Making matters worse has been that Haden hasn’t played as well this season as he has in the past. He has already given up 21 receptions and two touchdowns. Opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 132.7 when throwing at the receiver that Haden is covering, and has given up at least five receptions in three of Cleveland’s five games this season.
The Browns have to hope that Haden can rebound to his 2013 form soon, because the structure of his contract means they’re going to be playing him for a few more years. Even if he does, he’ll still be overpaid when compared to similar cornerbacks.
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