Dallas Cowboys Brandon Carr takes a pay cut

We analyze the announcement that Dallas Cowboys veteran cornerback Brandon Carr has accepted a reduction in salary.

With the NFL Draft just a mere three days away, the Dallas Cowboys are speculated by many to have Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey in their sights for the fourth overall selection. Based on the the Cowboys current roster situation, that pick made sense as it filled a need on their roster. But things may be slightly different now.

Coming into the draft, the Cowboys defensive backfield appeared shaky. Last year’s starters at cornerback in Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne were both candidates to play elsewhere earlier this offseason. A free agent, Claiborne surprisingly signed a one-year, $3 million deal to stay in Dallas in March. Now, NFL Network reporter Albert Breer is reporting Carr has agreed to take a pay cut to stay with the Cowboys as well.

This is surprising news as last year, Carr’s agent indicated the veteran corner would not entertain any type of reduction in salary. But apparently, something changed. Last season, Carr recorded 76 total tackles and had six passes defended. It was his second-year in a row where he failed to record a single interception. But the one thing Carr is durable, playing in every single game during his eight-year career.

Carr signed a massive five-year, $50.1 million deal in 2012 as a free agent out of Kansas City. During his time with the Cowboys, the veteran corner has failed to live up to those lofty contract numbers. At age 29, Carr and his representatives likely feel they would be better suited to stay in Dallas at a reduced salary than risk getting a much smaller offer in free agency based on his poor play in recent years.

Last season, Pro Football Focus ranked Carr as the 73rd best player at his position in the NFL. OverTheCap.com ranked him as the third highest paid player at cornerback last season based on his $12.7 million salary cap hit.

Carr was scheduled to make $9.1 million this year. That number has now been dropped to a base of $4.25 million with a $1 million roster bonus scheduled for next month. Carr can also earn a total of $750,000 in roster bonuses and incentives. The pay cut gives Dallas approximately $3.6 million in additional salary cap space.

The veteran cornerback still has two-years left on his deal in Dallas. Now that’s Carr has agree to take a pay cut, he’ll likely play out that contract. This season, he’ll also be joined by a returning Orlando Scandrick in the backfield as well as Claiborne. Scandrick is coming off a devastating knee injury robbed him of playing all of last season.

Although Carr’s agreement to take less doesn’t preclude Dallas from drafting a cornerback high in this week’s draft, it could factor in somewhat at taking a player like Ramsey that high.

It could also work the opposite way as well, as many don’t feel the former Seminole’s best position is at cornerback. Rather, Ramsey could be a better safety in the NFL. Carr’s presence in the backfield could allow Dallas to play the talented young rookie at that position with an established veteran cornerback already in the backfield.

Next: Dallas Cowboys 2016 Draft: Nine Full Mock Drafts

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