Every year, record-setting deals take place in the NFL.
This free-agency cycle, we saw center Tyler Linderbaum receive a contract from the Raiders that blew away the top spot on the market at his position. Seahawks star Jackson Smith-Njigba, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, topped the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase as the highest-paid wide receiver based on average annual value with a $42.15 million per year extension.
So, who is next in line to become the highest-paid player at his position in terms of average salary?
Here are my picks for each position on offense and defense, with players drafted through the end of 2023 now eligible for extensions:
Currently highest paid: Dak Prescott, Cowboys ($60 million APY)
The Ravens restructured Jackson’s contract last month to create cap space, but a historic extension remains on the table for the 29-year-old QB before the start of the 2026 season. Since signing his last deal in 2023 — a five-year, $260 million extension — Jackson has won a second league MVP award and earned two of his three first-team All-Pro nods.
Will Lamar Jackson surpass Dak Prescott to become the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL this offseason? (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Currently highest paid: Saquon Barkley, Eagles ($20.6 million APY)
Last season, Robinson led the NFL with 2,298 scrimmage yards (1,478 rushing, 820 receiving) and received first-team All Pro honors, the first of his career. An extension for the 2023 No. 8 overall pick should be a no-brainer priority for the Falcons, especially given their quarterback uncertainty entering 2026.
Currently highest paid: Jackson Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($42.15 million APY)
Despite recent off-the-field problems, Nkua remains on top of Smith-Njigba as the NFL’s highest-paid wideout ahead of next season. In 2025, the former fifth-round pick led the league in receptions (129), first downs gained (80) and receiving yards per game (107.2) and was second in receiving yards (1,715) despite missing one game.
Currently highest paid: George Kittle, 49ers ($19.1 million APY)
After getting the franchise-tag in February, the 25-year-old Pitts is in good position to surpass Kittle’s numbers. The No. 4 overall pick in 2021, Pitts caught a career-high 88 passes for 928 yards and five touchdowns en route to second-team All-Pro honors last season.
The Lions’ Sam LaPorta and the Packers’ Tucker Craft, other contenders to set the market at tight end, are recovering from season-ending injuries, paving the way for Pitts to become the first of the three to receive a second contract.
Kyle Pitts set career highs in targets, catches and touchdowns in 2025. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Currently highest paid: Laremy Tunsil, Commanders ($30.1 million APY)
Wright isn’t a left tackle, but the former No. 10 has a chance to outbid Tunsil on a deal with the league’s rising salary cap. Still just 24, former Tennessee Wall has started all 49 games of his career at right tackle and earned second-team All-Pro honors last season.
Currently highest paid: Tyler Smith, Cowboys ($24 million APY)
The 11th overall pick in 2023, Skowronski has gone from being a college tackle to one of the NFL’s best young guards. The 24-year-old has started 48 career games at left guard.
Currently highest paid: Tyler Linderbaum, Raiders ($27 million APY)
Linderbaum’s deal broke the previous high for centers owned by the Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey ($18 million APY). Since this marked such a large market reset, the Linderbaum contract may be viewed as an outlier by the larger NFL community, meaning it may be a while before we see another reset.
Wilson is a candidate to do that in two years, when he first becomes eligible for an extension. The 2025 third-round pick started 13 games at left guard for the Patriots last season, but New England intends to move him to center following the signing of Elijah Vera-Tucker in free agency.
Currently highest paid: Micah Parsons, Packers ($46.5 million APY)
Already one of the NFL’s best defensive players, Anderson recorded 12 sacks and 85 pressures last season en route to first-team All-Pro honors. The former No. 3 overall pick has 30 sacks in three seasons.
Will Anderson Jr. (51) is close to Patriots QB Drake Mays during last season’s playoffs. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Highest salary at present: chris jonesMajor ($31.75 million APY)
In just three seasons, Carter, the ninth overall pick in 2023, has become one of football’s most disruptive defensive tackles. He was a second-team All-Pro honoree in 2024 and has made the Pro Bowl in back-to-back seasons. The former Georgia star had three sacks, 29 pressures and seven pass breakups in 11 games in 2025.
Currently highest paid: Fred Warner, 49ers ($21 million APY)
Campbell, the 18th overall pick in 2023, has seen significant jumps in his production in each of his three seasons. In 2025, the former Iowa star had 176 tackles (second in the NFL), five sacks, four pass breakups and three forced fumbles en route to first-team All-Pro honors.
Currently highest paid: Trent McDuffie, Rams ($31 million APY)
Witherspoon will soon become the highest-paid player in the league, following in the footsteps of his Seahawks teammate and fellow 2023 first-rounder Smith-Njigba, who Seattle recently made the league’s highest-paid receiver.
Witherspoon has been named to the Pro Bowl three consecutive times to begin his career. The ex-Illinois star recorded one interception, seven pass breakups and 72 tackles in 12 games last season.
Seahawks corner Devon Witherspoon not only can’t cover the opponent’s WR1, he was a nightmare for Patriots QB Drake Mays in the Super Bowl as a blitzer. (Photo by Focus on Sports/Getty Images)
Currently highest paid: Kyle Hamilton, Ravens ($25.1 million APY)
The Packers restructured McKinney’s existing contract for cap relief, but the star safety is in line for a bigger deal in 2027, when his cap hit is set at a whopping $24.8 million. The former Giants second-round pick has 13 interceptions over the past three seasons and has made an All-Pro team in past years.
