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Cowboys CB Byron Jones to sign reported blockbuster deal with Dolphins

Despite interception drought, the 2015 first-round pick received an $82.5 million deal.

Someone was willing and able to pay Byron Jones his market value.

As long expected, it wasn’t the Cowboys.

The cornerback, whose contract with the Cowboys officially expires Wednesday, agreed Monday to a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Dolphins, ESPN reported.

The deal includes a $57 million guarantee, which reflects how highly his coverage ability, despite a shortage of turnovers, is regarded around the league.

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The Las Vegas Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles were among the other teams who displayed serious interest in the 2015 first-round pick.

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Jones, 27, was known in Dallas more for stopping plays than making them.

He started at safety and cornerback during his Cowboys tenure before settling into the latter the last two seasons. He carries to Miami a streak of 40 straight games without an interception. With two picks in 73 starts, he is the first defensive back in NFL history to exceed 70 starts during his first five NFL seasons while recording fewer than five interceptions.

The Cowboys valued Jones, but it’s seemed obvious for months they placed a greater priority on retaining quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper. That is despite the draft pool at wide receiver considered to be the deepest in recent memory and Cooper’s inconsistent contribution last year.

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Simply put, the priority level to re-sign Jones did not match external suitors’ interest to court him.

Jones later confirmed via Instagram that his time as a Dallas Cowboys has come to an end.

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