2025 NFL All-Paid Team: Saquon Barkley, Dak Prescott headline top earners by position

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $60 million

By average per year (APY), Prescott is the NFL’s highest-paid player by $5 million (Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Jordan Love and Trevor Lawrence all check in at $55 million). Somehow, Prescott’s contract survived Allen’s $330 million extension in March. The 2024 season went about as poorly as it could for Prescott. After throwing nearly as many interceptions in the first eight games of 2024 (eight) as he did in all of 2023 (nine), Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in November. However, in his last full season (2023), he led the NFL with 36 touchdown passes. At the end of the day, performance in the playoffs will always define a quarterback. A 2-5 career postseason mark remains a blemish on Prescott’s résumé. 

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $20.6 million

From creating the spin-hurdle to becoming the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards (and sitting out in Week 18 with the record in sight), it took all of one season for Barkley to cement a legacy -- and get an extension -- in Philadelphia. He joined Hall of Famers Terrell Davis (1998) and Emmitt Smith (1992, 1993, 1995) as the only players to win the rushing title and the Super Bowl in the same season. Barkley finished with the most rush yards (2,504) and scrimmage yards (2,857) in a season, including playoffs, in NFL history. As a result, Philadelphia made him the NFL’s highest-paid running back with a two-year, $41.2 million extension in March. Barkley got almost as much guaranteed money in his extension ($36 million) as his initial contract was worth in total value ($37.8 million). Christian McCaffrey ($19 million APY) and Derrick Henry ($15 million APY) are the only other running backs making $15 million or more a year. 

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $40.3 million

When Chase was asked back in the September if the rumor was true that he wanted one penny more than Justin Jefferson to become the NFL’s highest-paid receiver, Chase said: “If I want to beat Justin, I’m gonna beat the s--- out of Justin. Not by a penny.” How about 525 million pennies? Chase finally became the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback in March when he signed his four-year, $161 million deal, with an APY $5.25 million higher than his former LSU teammate's contract. It came on the heels of a season in which Chase led the NFL with 127 receptions, 1,708 receiving yards and 17 receiving TDs, making him the sixth and youngest player in the Super Bowl era to win the receiving triple crown. Chase was the youngest player (24) to win the triple crown since Don Hutson (23) in 1936. 

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $35 million

The four-time Pro Bowler has griddy’d all over the NFL regardless of who has played quarterback for the Vikings. He’s turned in 1,500-plus receiving yards in three of his first five NFL seasons. He needs one more such season to tie Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most in NFL history (Rice did so in four of his 20 seasons). Heading into Year 6, Jefferson averages the most receiving yards per game (96.5) all-time -- almost 10 yards more than the next-closest player -- and has the most receiving yards in a player’s first five seasons (7,432). One of my favorite stats about the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year (look away, Bears fans): It took him just 52 career games to amass more receiving yards than any player in Bears franchise history (Johnny Morris, 5,059 from 1958-1967).

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $34 million

Lamb joins his quarterback, Dak Prescott, on the All-Paid roster -- deservedly so, given the Cowboys’ Lamb-centric philosophy on offense. The four-time Pro Bowler leads the NFL with 236 catches over the last two seasons, and that’s with Prescott missing the final nine games of 2024. In Prescott’s last full season in 2023, Lamb set Cowboys single-season records with 135 receptions and 1,749 receiving yards. This offseason, the Cowboys traded for George Pickens with hopes of getting some variance in the offense to take some of the burden off Lamb. 

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $19.1 million

Cardinals tight end Trey McBride spent 26 days as the highest-paid tight end before the 49ers renegotiated a deal with Kittle to barely overtake him (by $100K per season). A fifth-round pick in 2017, Kittle earned his second veteran contract with the 49ers, a four-year, $76.4 million extension, as he excels in everything an offense asks of a tight end. One of the best run-blockers at the position, Kittle also led the NFL with 11.8 receiving yards per target in 2024 (min. 70 targets), and he led all tight ends in the metric in each of the last two seasons. With Deebo Samuel in Washington and Brandon Aiyuk recovering from a knee injury, Kittle will be Brock Purdy’s most trusted weapon. 

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $28.1 million

Wirfs has been nothing short of dominant in his five NFL seasons, spending the first three at right tackle and the last two at left. In his rookie season, Wirfs protected Tom Brady and won Super Bowl LV; since then, he’s made the Pro Bowl in each season. Wirfs passed Penei Sewell as the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman last August. He went on to allow a 4.7% QB pressure rate in 2024, second-lowest among all offensive tackles, per Next Gen Stats (min. 250 pass block snaps). To be fair, Wirfs’ $52.2 million in fully guaranteed money at signing left something to be desired, considering the $67 million Andrew Thomas received in the summer of 2023. 

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $21 million

Prior to the 2024 season, the Eagles inked Dickerson to a four-year, $84 million extension. Dickerson made his third consecutive Pro Bowl despite some rough patches to open the season and helped pave the way for Saquon Barkley to become the NFL’s highest-paid running back. The 2021 second-round pick is part of arguably the best offensive line in football.

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $18 million

The Chiefs wasted no time addressing their offensive line after it was dominated by the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV, drafting Humphrey 63rd overall in 2021. In turn, he wasted no time becoming an elite player as the anchor of Kansas City’s front. Humphrey is one of only three centers in the Super Bowl era to have made the Pro Bowl in at least three of his first four seasons in the league, joining Travis Frederick and Maurkice Pouncey. Of that group, Humphrey is the only one with a Super Bowl ring (he has two). His four-year, $72 million deal ties him to Kansas City through the 2028 season.

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $20.5 million

Lindstrom is one of the NFL’s elite movers in the run game, earning PFF’s highest run-blocking grade among guards in two of the last three seasons (2022 and 2024). Prior to the 2023 season, the Falcons made Lindstrom the first interior offensive lineman to join the $100 million total value club ($48.2 million guaranteed). A Pro Bowler in each of the last three seasons, Lindstrom has aided running back Bijan Robinson’s quick ascension. Since Robinson entered the NFL in 2023, only Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry have more scrimmage yards. 

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $28 million

Could Dan Campbell’s first draft pick in Detroit be a better fit for the philosophy of his program? A mauler who was selected seventh overall in 2021, Sewell has already established himself as one of the league’s elite offensive linemen, earning a Pro Bowl nod in each of his last three seasons and All-Pro honors in each of the last two. Sewell, who was voted No. 22 by his peers in the Top 100 Players of 2024, signed a four-year, $112 million extension in 2024.

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $31.8 million

After Jones sat out the 2023 opener due to a contract dispute, the Chiefs amended the deal to include an extra $6.75 million in incentives tied to playing time, performance and team results. He earned $4.25 million of that, was named first-team All-Pro again, and the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII. The following offseason, the Chiefs made Jones the lone interior defensive lineman to earn over $30 million in a season. Although he had his fewest sacks (5.0) since his 2016 rookie season (2.0) in 2024, those numbers far from accurately reflect Jones’ impact on the Chiefs defense. A first-team All-Pro for three straight seasons, Jones remains one of the league’s finest defensive forces.

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $27.5 million

Wilkins recorded 20.5 total sacks and was a plus run defender through five seasons with the Dolphins before departing for Vegas -- on a four-year, $110 million deal -- in free agency in 2024. He missed the final 12 games of his first season with the Raiders with a foot injury but did grade out as PFF’s third-best interior defensive lineman against the run. In his last healthy season in 2023, Wilkins finished with career highs in sacks (9.0) and quarterback hits (23) with the Dolphins. His recovery from the injury is proving to be a "long, challenging process," according to Raiders head coach Pete Carroll.

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $40 million

Time is supposed to be the great healer, but a bag of money usually does the trick, as well. After requesting a trade early in the offseason, Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million deal that keeps him in Cleveland through the 2030 season. He’s posted at least 12 sacks in each of the last five seasons, tied with Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor for the longest such streak in NFL history. Garrett’s streak of double-digit sack seasons spans seven straight years, trailing only Hall of Famers Reggie White (nine) and John Randle (eight) for the league's longest such streak. The Browns will need Garrett and his teammates on defense to come up big in 2025 with so many questions surrounding Cleveland's offense right now.

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $35.6 million

Prior to the 2024 season Hunter signed a two-year, $49 million contract with Houston, where he pairs with 2023 third overall pick Will Anderson Jr. off the edge. Last season Hunter finished top five in sacks (12) and second in QB pressures (90), per Next Gen Stats, and the duo finished with 23 sacks combined to help the Texans rank second in pressure percentage (37.8). Houston rewarded Hunter, who is a half sack shy of 100 for his career, with a one-year, $35.6 million extension this offseason.

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $21 million

Since 2020, there are only two players to earn first-team All-Pro in four of the last five seasons: Warner and All-Paid Team teammate Myles Garrett. Warner’s 2021 contract extension would have earned him a place on this list, but his new three-year, $63 million deal moved him into the position’s top spot.

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $20 million

The Ravens defense changed the moment the team acquired Smith prior to the 2022 trade deadline. Less than three months later, Baltimore inked him to a five-year, $100 million contract that set the standard at the position prior to Warner's new deal. The Ravens have ranked in the top five in scoring defense in each of the two seasons since Smith's extension, and Smith has been named first-team All-Pro in each of the last three campaigns. Since entering the NFL in 2018, Smith is the only player with 20 or more sacks and at least 10 interceptions. 

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $30 million

The Texans wasted no time, signing Stingley to a three-year, $90 million extension in the first offseason he was eligible for a new deal. He cleared the previous top corner by $5 million annually (Jaycee Horn). After a tumultuous rookie year, Stingley has come into his own over the last two seasons. It was exemplified last season in a dominant playoff win over the Chargers, with Stingley recording two picks, five passes defended and a forced fumble. He’s allowed the lowest completion percentage (48.1) and passer rating (52.5) among all players with at least 100 targets since 2023, per Next Gen Stats. He’s also the only player with at least five interceptions in each of the last two seasons. 

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $25 million

Horn is one of those guys that just passes the eye test on the field. Health has been the major concern -- he’s missed two or more games in each season since he was picked eighth overall in 2021, one spot before 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II. Horn played a career-high 15 games in 2024, made his first Pro Bowl and signed a four-year, $100 million contract in March. Over the last two seasons, Horn has allowed 5.6 yards per target, the third-fewest among corners (minimum 100 targets, per Next Gen Stats). He’s also allowed the fewest yards after catch per reception (2.1) at the position over that span. If Horn can stay on the field, he should live up to his spot on the All-Paid Team. 

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $24.1 million

Ramsey beat out 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II by $100,000 in average pay to earn this last spot. In 2024, Ramsey failed to earn All-Pro or Pro Bowl accolades for the first time since his 2016 rookie season, but he’s still one of the league’s best cornerbacks when healthy. He's also the only player in the NFL with 10-plus interceptions, 10-plus tackles for loss and 50-plus passes defended since 2021. The identity of the team he will play for in 2025 remains up in the air, thanks to the mutual agreement between Ramsey and the Dolphins to seek a trade out of town this offseason, but his spot on this roster is secure. In terms of the shape of his career going forward, Ramsey has shown the necessary traits -- from his coverage skills to his pursuit and willingness as a tackler -- to transition to safety in the future, echoing the trajectories of Hall of Famers Rod Woodson and Charles Woodson.

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $21.5 million

Joseph has been a ballhawk since he first set foot on an NFL field, becoming the first safety since Hall of Famer Ed Reed to pick off at least four passes in each of his first three seasons. His 17 career picks are the most by any player since he was drafted in 2022. Last season he led the league with nine interceptions and allowed a 29.2 passer rating (one pass TD, nine INTs) in coverage, per Next Gen Stats -- a quarterback who threw every pass into the stands would be able to calculate a better passer rating (39.6). The Lions did not make Joseph wait to reap the benefits of his labor, signing him to a four-year, $86 million extension in April. Although the contract did make Joseph the NFL’s highest-paid safety by APY, his guarantees and cashflows leave something to be desired. His $24.4 million fully guaranteed at signing is 10th among safeties, while his two- and three-year cash flows rank outside that threshold. 

AVERAGE PER YEAR: $21 million

Despite his stature (5-foot-9), Winfield is a do-it-all safety. He's a plus defender in coverage, against the run and as a blitzer. He was an impact player right off the bat, helping the Buccaneers win the Super Bowl as a rookie in 2020. Then, in the final year of his rookie contract (2023), the former second-rounder put together his best pro season, logging a career-high three picks, tying for the league lead with six forced fumbles and securing his first career first-team All-Pro nod. The Bucs used the franchise tag on him last offseason before the two sides agreed on a four-year, $84.1 million contract. Ankle and knee injuries subsequently forced him out of eight games in 2024, but it is an understatement to say he remains central to Tampa's plans on defense.