Seattle Seahawks, Richard Sherman hope to finalize extension before NFL draft

Richard Sherman is expected to become the NFL's highest-paid cornerback. (John W. McDonough/SI) The Seattle Seahawks opened their checkbook earlier this week

Richard Sherman is expected to become the NFL's highest-paid cornerback. (John W. McDonough/SI)

The Seattle Seahawks opened their checkbook earlier this week to make Earl Thomas the highest paid safety in the league, and now they will turn their attention to star cornerback Richard Sherman. There have been previous reports that the two sides were working hard on reaching a deal, and it could be coming within the next week.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Seahawks and Sherman are hoping to get a deal done before the 2014 NFL draft begins on May 8.

"Make no mistake," Rapoport stated on Tuesday's "NFL Total Access." "Richard Sherman is next for the Seahawks and their contracts. From what I understand, things are fairly far along."

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Like Thomas' deal, Sherman's contract extension is expected to make him the highest paid player at his position. The deal could potentially be worth more than $12 million a year, the current price tag that New England Patriots corner Darrelle Revis carries. 

As one of the top defensive backs in the league and a rare shutdown corner, Sherman is very deserving of the deal. The Seahawks are eager to lock him up for the foreseeable future to ensure he is terrorizing opponents and not their own quarterback, Russell Wilson, who would likely be the next man up for a new deal once an extension with Sherman is reached.

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