Breaking down Darqueze Dennard contract with Bengals

With the 24th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Bengals chose Michigan State corner Darqeuze Dennard. Projected by some as a Top 10 pick, Dennard fell to Cincinnati, who was happy to grab him.

Dennard recently signed his first NFL contract, which will pay him around $8 million over the next four years. At just $2 million annually, Dennard will be just the fifth-highest paid corner on the roster behind Leon Hall, Adam Jones, Dre Kirkpatrick and Terence Newman.

That actually shows Dennard's importance. Having a productive corner making just that much over the next four years will make it easier for the Bengals to let Newman go when he's a free agent next year, and possibly part with Jones if he's not living up to his contract.

That money saved can then be used to help re-sign A.J. Green next year, assuming a deal for him doesn't get done this year.

Coley Harvey of ESPN did this breakdown of Dennard's contract with the Bengals:

Closer Look at Dennard's Rookie Deal:

The Bengals were able to keep Dennard from having his fourth year guaranteed, meaning the team will actually save money by cutting him in 2017 if for some unfortunate reason his career has been disastrous to that point.