Trevon Diggs, the Dallas Cowboys’ secondary defensive back, signed a five-year, $97 million contract extension on Tuesday and became one of the NFL’s highest-paid cornerbacks.
Giggs will pocket $19.4 million annually, the fifth-highest figure for a cornerback; behind only Jaire Alexander, who earns $21.7 million with the Green Bay Packers; Miami Dolphins’ Jalen Ramsey, who enters 20.6; Cleveland Browns Denzel Ward, 20.2; and Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens, 19.75.
Since being selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2020 Draft, the 24-year-old defensive back has impressed with his speed and sense of anticipation that allowed him to add 17 interceptions in three seasons.
This number is the second-most in Dallas history surpassed only by Everson Walls, who had 22 interceptions between 1981 and 1983.
The young defensive back also boasts having deflected a pass or made an interception on 21.5 percent of his targets since 2021, the highest rate of action among the league’s cornerbacks.
In addition, Diggs is one of three players with more than 15 interceptions and more than 45 passes defended in his first three seasons since 1999, something that had only been achieved by three-time Pro Bowl, Marcus Peters of the Raiders, and Seattle Seahawks legend Richard Sherman.
The Gaithersburg, Maryland, native is a key piece in the Cowboys’ secondary defense, which in 2022 was second-best in steals.
For the 2023 season, this line was reinforced with the addition of veteran Stephon Gilmore, former Colts, and rookie DaRon Bland, selected in the fifth round of this year’s Draft.
The executive vice president of the Cowboys, Stephen Jones, said that already closed the extensions of young people like Trevon Diggs, CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons and Terence Steele, will be able to focus their attention on Zack Martin, considered the best guard in the NFL, who has not shown up for training due to the lack of an agreement that keeps him in Dallas for several years.
