Cowboys 2012 Free Agency: Rolling Out The Red Carpet For Brandon Carr

Cortland Finnegan, Brandon Carr and Carlos Rogers were the top three cornerbacks on virtually every free agent list heading into the start of free agency yesterday. Of the three, only Carr hasn't signed with a team yet.

Multiple reports confirm that Finnegan has joined his old coach Jeff Fisher in St. Louis. Adam Schefter reported that Finnegan and the Rams have reached an agreement on a five-year deal worth "about" $50 million, with $26.5 million guaranteed, and $33 million in the first three years. Overall, that's about $10 million per season, more if you only take the first three years.

Carlos Rogers re-signed with the 49ers yesterday, with the two sides agreeing to a four-year contract worth a maximum of $31.3 million, according to a league source. That averages out to just below $8 million per season.

Both signings are significant for the Cowboys because establish a market value for cornerbacks this year.

The Cowboys wined and dined Brandon Carr yesterday, with the clear intent of signing him to a lucrative contract. Josh Ellis from dallascowboys.com reported that the Cowboys rolled out the red carpet in an attempt to impress Carr. Negotiations ran deep into Tuesday night, with the two sides attempting to work toward an agreement.

Last year's top contracts for corners went to Nnamdi Asomugha of the Eagles (five years, $60 million) and Jonathan Joseph of the Texans (five years, $49 million). NFL analyst Michael Lombardi twittered yesterday that the Cowboys and Brandon Carr were working toward a big deal that "might get over 7 per year." The 'over' part will most certainly be true, but you've got to wonder what Lombardi is basing the number on.

Update: Lions free agent CB Eric Wright signs in Tampa for 5 years, $37.5 million, with $15.5 million guaranteed. That's $7.5 million per year.

The Cowboys do not want Brandon Carr to leave Dallas without signing a contract. But how much will the Cowboys have to pay for his signature?