Which players are in line to earn big-money contracts in the near future and join the All-Paid Team? Anthony Holzman-Escareno takes a look into his crystal ball to project the All-Paid Team of Tomorrow, listing the top candidate to push for the rank of highest paid at each position, along with other guys who are on the big-money radar.
NOTES:
- Contract information is sourced from Over The Cap and/or Spotrac.
- Each player's listed age below represents how old he will be on Sept. 4, when the 2025 NFL season is set to kick off.
QUARTERBACK
- Projected average per year (APY): $65+ million
- Free agent after: 2027
It seems so long ago that the Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson. Any team could have signed him to an offer sheet and, if the Ravens didn't match it, said team could have acquired his services in exchange for two first-round picks. Not one organization put forth a bid. Instead, Jackson represented himself and signed a five-year, $260 million extension with the Ravens in April 2023, setting an NFL record at the time.
Jackson promptly won his second NFL MVP award in 2023, then turned in the best year of his career in 2024, becoming the first player in NFL history to lead the NFL in both pass yards per attempt (8.8) and yards per carry (6.6) in the same season (minimum 125 carries). Jackson's obvious game-changing ability on the ground -- he's already the all-time leading rusher among quarterbacks, with 6,173 rushing yards -- can overshadow his passing prowess.
He’s the only player with at least 150 pass touchdowns and fewer than 50 interceptions in his first seven seasons (everyone else to hit that pass TD threshold through Year 7 had at least 63 picks). Since the 1970 merger, the three highest pass-touchdown percentages belong to Jackson (6.4%), Aaron Rodgers (6.1%) and Patrick Mahomes (5.9%).
Jackson still has three years remaining on his current contract, but with a cap hit that will reach $74.5 million in 2026, an extension to bring that number down seems likely. Odds are Jackson will be the quarterback to dethrone Dak Prescott ($60 million APY) on the top of the NFL salary scale. His first long-term deal made him the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time of its signing. His next one will do the same again.
ON THE RADAR:
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: No deal in team sports has aged better than the Chiefs' 10-year, $450 million pact with Mahomes, signed back in 2020. Now tied for the 14th-highest APY with Kirk Cousins, Mahomes is clearly the best quarterback of his generation and is only chasing the ghost of Tom Brady. Brady is the only quarterback in NFL history with more wins and passing touchdowns in the playoffs than Mahomes. And based on what we've seen so far, it wouldn't be surprising if Mahomes continued to echo Brady in terms of his contract, as well, taking team-friendly deals that allow the Chiefs to continue winning.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: After bouncing from the Panthers to the Rams in 2022, the former No. 1 overall draft pick latched on with the Bucs on a one-year, $4 million deal in 2023. He proceeded to throw 28 TD passes against 10 picks while leading Tampa Bay to an NFC South title, then inked a three-year, $100 million bridge contract to stay in town. And then he seriously leveled up, totaling 41 scoring tosses (behind only Joe Burrow's 43) while securing a second division title in 2024. With two seasons left on his contract, Mayfield is close to earning another longer-term deal soon. The Baker bank-account glow-up is about to be real.
Others to consider: None.
Notable players not eligible for extension: Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders; C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans; Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears.
RUNNING BACK
- Projected APY: $21+ million
- Free agent after: 2026
In 2021, Taylor became the youngest player in the Super Bowl era to win the rushing triple crown, leading the NFL with 332 carries, 1,811 rush yards and 18 rush touchdowns at 22 years old. He missed six games with multiple ankle injuries in 2022, his third pro season, but that did not stop the Colts from signing the former All-Pro to a three-year, $42 million extension, even as his ankle kept him on the PUP list to begin the year. Unfortunately, he then missed three more games with a thumb injury in 2023 -- but any questions that were raised about his productivity were answered in 2024. Although a high ankle sprain did knock him out for three games, Taylor finished last season on an absolute heater, totaling a league-leading 627 rush yards and six touchdowns in Indy's final four games. The only concern with Taylor has been health. On the field, he's averaged 100-plus rushing yards per game in two of his first five NFL seasons. The only players to do that more times to start their careers? Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Eric Dickerson.
As a second-round pick, Taylor avoided the fifth-year option and signed three-year extension at just 24 years old prior to 2023. This puts him in line to be an unrestricted free agent at 28 in 2027. With the cupboard bare of running backs who are poised to legitimately challenge Saquon Barkley for the All-Paid crown, Taylor is shunted to the top of the list -- with two players not yet eligible for an extension getting space in the "on the radar" section below.
ON THE RADAR:
James Cook, Buffalo Bills: Cook, heading into the final year of his rookie deal, has made it known that he wants a new contract, projecting a $15 million-per-year pay rate for himself. The former second-rounder has strung together consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and Pro Bowls over the last two years, tying for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024. Cook won't challenge Barkley or Christian McCaffrey (who has the second-highest APY at the position, at $19 million per year), but a contract that reaches that $15 million mark could be feasible.
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons: Just two years into his rookie contract, the 2023 first-rounder won't be able to sign an extension until next offseason at the earliest. But he gets a nod here after becoming the first Falcons player to string together back-to-back seasons with 1,400-plus scrimmage yards in each of his first two seasons. One of the league's slipperiest running backs, Robinson forced the second-most missed tackles (97) in the NFL last season, per Next Gen Stats; 247-pound Derrick Henry led the NFL with four more (101). The only players with more rush yards than Robinson (1,456) last season were Barkley (2,005) and Henry (1,921).
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: Like Robinson, Gibbs cannot sign an extension until after he completes his third pro season in 2025. But he clearly grew into the lead role in the Lions' backfield, supplanting 2023 carries leader David Montgomery in that category. A true dual-threat back, Gibbs was the only player with 1,000-plus rush yards and 500-plus receiving yards in 2024. He also led the league with 20 scrimmage touchdowns. Gibbs was was bested in scrimmage yards (1,929) by the same two players who topped his fellow former first-rounder Robinson in rushing yards: Barkley (2,283) and Henry (2,114).
Others to consider: Breece Hall, New York Jets; Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams.
Additional notable players not eligible for extension: De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins; Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
WIDE RECEIVER
- Projected APY: $40+ million
- Free agent after: 2026
London emerged as a star in his third season with the Falcons, finishing with 1,271 receiving yards in 2024 (fourth-most in the league). London was one of the league’s dominant intermediate threats, joining Ja’Marr Chase as the only receivers with 600-plus yards on targets in the 10–19 yard range, per NGS. London also had 67 first-down grabs in 2024, trailing only Chase (75) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (73).
If the start of the Michael Penix Jr. era is any indication, London might be going to the moon in 2025. He averaged 117.3 receiving yards per game in Penix’s three starts last season, the most by any starting QB-receiver duo in the NFL (minimum three starts). His 6-foot-4 frame and basketball background make him an elite jump ball threat -- his 40 contested catches over the last two seasons lead the NFL, per PFF.
It’s hard for any receiver this side of Justin Jefferson to make a case to be paid higher than Chase. However, as the salary cap continues to grow, players will challenge Chase for the top average annual salary. As the pie gets bigger so do the slices.
ON THE RADAR:
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders: McLaurin has thrived regardless of who is throwing him the football in Washington. He's led the team in receptions and receiving yards in each of his first six seasons. In his first year with Jayden Daniels under center, McLaurin almost doubled his previous high in touchdown catches (from 7 to 13) and finished with his fifth straight 1,000-yard season. He's consistently made his quarterbacks better (he led the NFL with 24 contested catches in 2024). McLaurin turns 30 in September and is in the final season of his deal. He won't challenge Ja'Marr Chase's salary, but he'll be paid like a clear WR1 soon.
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets: Last season was set up to be Wilson's year to soar into the upper echelon at the position. And just as a healthy Aaron Rodgers was peppering him with targets, New York traded for the quarterback's longtime favorite pass catcher, Davante Adams. Still, that move didn't stop Wilson from becoming the first Jets receiver with 1,000-plus yards in each of his first three seasons. He has increased his catch total in each season of his career. One thing to note regarding new Jets quarterback Justin Fields: Fields was the Bears' QB in 2023, when WR DJ Moore finished with nearly 1,400 yards. A season like that would put Wilson right in the mix for an All-Paid roster spot.
George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys: Pickens has averaged an NFL-best 16.3 yards per reception since entering the NFL in 2022 (minimum 150 catches). His 515 deep receiving yards (throws of 20-plus air yards) ranked second in the league last season. Pickens could play his way into a huge contract next offseason with a big year after being dealt from the Steelers to the Cowboys.
Other to consider: Nico Collins, Houston Texans.
Notable players not eligible for extension: Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals; Malik Nabers, New York Giants; Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams; Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks; Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars.
TIGHT END
- Projected APY: $19.2 million
- Free agent after: 2025
The focus will be on his nightmarish game against the Bills in the playoffs, which is understandable, but Andrews quietly had an efficient and productive 2024 season leading up to that day.
He returned to play in every game after missing seven contests in 2023. After not scoring in the first five weeks of the season, Andrews led all tight ends with a career-high 11 receiving touchdowns. From Weeks 6-18, the only player with more TD grabs than Andrews was Ja’Marr Chase, with 12. Andrews’ production did decline in some categories, which can largely be attributed to his role in the Baltimore offense. Andrews commanded just 4.1 targets per game, his first time finishing with fewer than six per game since his rookie season. He caught 55 of his 69 targets (79.7%) and averaged nearly 10 yards per target, his most since first becoming a Pro Bowler in 2019.
Entering the final season of a four-year, $56 million extension he signed in 2021, Andrews returns with a contract to play for and something to prove. If Andrews can put together a good season, he could be able to challenge George Kittle’s position-leading $19.1 million APY. If it happens, I would expect it to be on a shorter-term deal.
ON THE RADAR:
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons: Due to his unique talent, Pitts is always a breakout season away from a team potentially going all in on him. Unfortunately, it just hasn't come together for him since his 2021 rookie season with Matt Ryan. That season, Pitts joined Hall of Famer Mike Ditka as the only rookie tight ends to record 1,000-plus receiving yards (Brock Bowers joined that club in 2024). However, Pitts has just 1,625 yards in the three seasons since.
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders: Bowers isn't eligible for an extension until after the 2026 season, but whenever he does put pen to paper, I expect the compensation to look far closer to that of an elite wide receiver. Bowers put together the best season by a rookie tight end in NFL history and has already made his case for the title of league's best TE.
Other to consider: David Njoku, Cleveland Browns.
Additional notable players not eligible for extension: Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers; Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills, Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions.
OFFENSIVE LINE
- Projected APY: $29+ million
- Free agent after: 2025
Slater has proven to be one of the NFL’s best pass protectors since entering the league.
A Pro Bowler as a rookie in 2021, Slater missed 14 games due to a ruptured bicep the following season. He returned without missing a beat in pass protection but did struggle in the run game in 2023. The latter aspect of his game improved greatly in his first season under head coach Jim Harbaugh. He earned the fifth-highest PFF run-blocking grade among tackles and remained elite as a pass blocker, grading out as PFF’s third-best offensive tackle in pass protection (90.3 grade).
Slater is currently slated to play 2025 on his $19 million fifth-year option. Harbaugh values his offensive line as much as anyone. In Slater, the Chargers have an improving run blocker and one of the league’s best pass protectors on Justin Herbert’s blindside. It would be a shock if Slater doesn’t have a new deal before Week 1.
ON THE RADAR:
OT Laremy Tunsil, Washington Commanders: With protecting Jayden Daniels being the main mission in Washington, the Commanders traded for Tunsil, one of the league's best pass blockers. It's unlikely the team will let Tunsil walk anytime soon, given the draft assets it parted with to acquire him. He has two years left on his current deal and will turn 31 in August. A Pro Bowler in five of the last six seasons, Tunsil should get a multi-year contract at the top of the market, barring a huge decline in his first season in D.C.
OG Trey Smith, Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs placed the franchise tag -- valued at $23.4 million -- on Smith, a rarity for any interior offensive lineman. Smith has made less than $7 million in four seasons since being selected in the sixth round of the 2021 draft. A Pro Bowl and two Super Bowls later, the Chiefs have said they want to lock him up long-term.
C Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens declined Linderbaum's fifth-year option because it would cost far more than the current market at the center position. Baltimore will surely sign Linderbaum to a long-term deal that makes him the highest-paid center soon enough. He's started all 49 games he's played since being drafted 25th overall in 2022 and has made each of the last two Pro Bowls.
Other offensive tackles to consider: Charles Cross, Seattle Seahawks; Kolton Miller, Las Vegas Raiders; Zach Tom, Green Bay Packers.
Notable OTs not eligible for extension: Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers; Paris Johnson Jr., Arizona Cardinals; Bernhard Raimann, Indianapolis Colts.
Other interior offensive linemen to consider: Erik McCoy, New Orleans Saints; Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts; Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys; Alijah Vera-Tucker, New York Jets.
Notable interior OL not eligible for extension: Dominick Puni, San Francisco 49ers.
INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE
- Projected APY: $35+ million
- Free agent after: 2026 (2027 fifth-year option)
With the high-end interior defensive line market locked in at the moment (Chris Jones, Dexter Lawrence, Quinnen Williams), Carter is the next player who could challenge Jones for the crown at IDL.
Carter was doubled on 49.1 percent of his rushes, the second-highest rate at the position behind Kobie Turner (52.4), but his 2.68 seconds time to pressure trailed only Jones (2.67) among interior defensive linemen, per NGS (minimum 400 rushes). Carter, Jones and Zach Allen were the only IDL with at least 20 quick pressures last season.
We also saw Carter put together a dominant Divisional Round game against the Rams, with two sacks, three QB hits, a forced fumble and two passes defensed. He’s just beginning to display the dominance he’s capable of as a player. The Eagles tend to keep their stars in-house with long-term deals, so it would be no surprise for Carter to sign an extension next offseason -- the first in which he’s eligible. I expect Carter’s contract to set a new highwater mark at the position.
ON THE RADAR:
Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants: Lawrence is the best interior defensive linemen this side of Chris Jones. Lawrence led the NFL in sacks through the first eight weeks of the 2024 season, despite being double-teamed at the league's highest rate (63.8%). He has three years remaining on his current deal, but if he can put together a dominant 2025 season, Lawrence is the type of building block you make sure to keep around and keep happy.
Zach Allen, Denver Broncos: Allen likely won't get All-Paid Team money, but he led all defensive tackles with 67 pressures last season, per NGS. He also led the NFL with 40 quarterback hits in 2024. Since 2010, only five players have had 40-plus QB hits in a season: J.J. Watt, T.J. Watt, Aaron Donald, Nick Bosa and Allen. The latter enters 2025 in the last year of his current contract.
Others to consider: DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts; Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans; Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Leonard Williams, Seattle Seahawks; Quinnen Williams, New York Jets.
Additional notables not eligible for extension: T'Vondre Sweat, Tennessee Titans; Kobie Turner, Los Angeles Rams.
EDGE RUSHER
- Projected APY: $45+ million
- Free agent after: 2025
No matter how long it takes to arrive at a deal, generational talents get generational paychecks. Parsons is the former and will have the latter soon. In four seasons in Dallas, Parsons has made four Pro Bowls, two All-Pro teams and finished top three in Defensive Player of the Year voting three times. At 26 years old, Parsons should become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL when terms are finally agreed upon.
Parsons’ game speaks for itself. He has had at least 12 sacks in each of his first four seasons, a feat only matched by late Hall of Famer Reggie White. There have been four players to have two-plus sacks in at least 15 games in their first four seasons: Parsons, White, Hall of Famer Richard Dent and future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt. One of the NFL’s elite disrupters, Parsons leads the NFL with a 20.0 QB pressure percentage since arriving in Dallas in 2021, per NGS.
It's hard to imagine Parsons playing out this season on the fifth-year option, although the Cowboys could also apply the franchise tag in each of the next two seasons if they choose to go that route. The longer Dallas waits, the more the team will pay to secure the star.
ON THE RADAR:
T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers: Once the NFL's highest-paid defensive player, Watt would be well within his rights to ask for the same again in a new deal. The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year is the face of the Steelers franchise. The only player to lead the NFL in sacks in three different seasons has the résumé to ask for as much money as any non-quarterback in the league.
Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals: Set to make $15.8 million this season, Hendrickson has made clear his desire for a new deal, saying he will not play under that contract in 2025. He led the NFL with 17.5 sacks and 92 pressures last season. In just four seasons, Hendrickson ranks third in franchise history with 57 sacks. He also has the three highest single-season sack totals in Bengals history. It's doubtful he can flirt with Myles Garrett's $40 million APY, but he is due a hefty pay raise.
Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions: A devastating leg injury cut Hutchinson's 2024 season short. Hutchinson played just five games last season, but he was well on his way to Defensive Player of the Year contention. He still led the Lions with 7.5 sacks, the fewest games played by a player to lead his team in sacks in any non-strike season. If he returns to form, the Lions will surely lock in Hutchinson with a top-of-market contract.
Others to consider: Nik Bonitto, Denver Broncos; Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans; Greg Rousseau, Buffalo Bills; Travon Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars.
Notable players not eligible for extension: Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans; Nolan Smith, Philadelphia Eagles; Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams.
LINEBACKER
- Projected APY: $22+ million
- Free agent after: 2027
Talk about timing. As I started working on notes for this article, I had Fred Warner slotted here despite already being the second highest-paid traditional linebacker in the NFL (behind Smith). However, Warner signed a three-year, $63 million extension with the 49ers in May that surpassed Smith by $1 million per season.
With Warner out of the mix, it’s hard to find the next off-ball linebacker who could surpass him in annual pay. Zack Baun had one of the best seasons an off-ball linebacker could have in 2024 -- albeit the first standout campaign of his career -- and couldn't reset the market on his new three-year deal that averaged $17 million per season with the Eagles.
The likely answer is another flip-flop at the top. Smith passed Warner for the top spot in 2023. The latter reclaimed his spot last month when he signed that three-year extension with two years remaining on his contract. Smith has three years remaining on his current deal, accounting for $28 million against the cap in each of the last two seasons (2026 and 2027). An extension to lower those cap hits could be in line if the three-time All-Pro can continue to lead Baltimore's defense.
Other to consider: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (if healthy), Cleveland Browns.
Notable player not eligible for extension: Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions.
CORNERBACK
- Projected APY: $31+ million
- Free agent after: 2026
Gardner likely could not have been happier watching the cornerback market during the past year. In September, Jaire Alexander was the NFL’s highest-paid corner at $21 million per season. Eight months and four contracts later, the top of the market has ballooned to $30 million a year with Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr.’s three-year, $90 million extension. Stingley, the player selected one spot before Gardner went fourth overall in 2022, set the floor for Gardner in negotiations with the Jets.
Gardner put on for his name straight off the runway in his first season with the Jets, leading the NFL in passes defensed (20), earning first-team All-Pro honors and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. He had another first-team All-Pro campaign in 2023, making Gardner the only defensive back in the Super Bowl era to be named first-team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons. A Hall of Famer and the league's all-time interceptions leader, Paul Krause also accomplished the feat prior to the Super Bowl era.
Gardner's 2024 season left something to be desired, but his overall body of work speaks for itself. In his first three NFL seasons, Gardner has allowed the lowest completion percentage (50.9), fewest receptions (87), second-fewest pass yards (1,003) and third-fewest touchdowns (three) in coverage among 62 cornerbacks with at least 150-plus targets, per PFF.
The Jets picked up Gardner's fifth-year option this offseason, locking him in at $20.2 million for the 2026 season. It remains to be seen how they will approach Gardner’s contract. The team extended 2019 third overall pick Quinnen Williams the summer before his fifth season.
ON THE RADAR:
Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs: McDuffie was one of the products of the Chiefs' trade of Tyreek Hill prior to the 2022 season. He's been one of the league's best cornerbacks since. It might have taken him until Year 3 to record his first interception, but his production in that category doesn't do justice to what he brings to Steve Spagnuolo's defense. The 2023 first-team All-Pro has played in the Super Bowl in each of his three seasons (winning two) and was one of the best players on the field in Kansas City's Super Bowl LVIII win over the 49ers. The Chiefs didn't extend either of their last two top corners, letting Charvarius Ward (free agency) and L’Jarius Sneed (trade) move on.
Riq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks: Woolen has yet to match his 2022 rookie performance, but the elite size-speed-length cornerback has all the tools one would want at the position. He's the only player in the NFL with 10-plus interceptions and 40-plus passes defensed since he came into the league in '22. At the end of the day, you can't teach size (6-4, 210 pounds) and speed (4.26-second 40-yard dash).
Other to consider: Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers.
Notable players not eligible for extension: Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles; Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots; Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles; Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks.
SAFETY
- Projected APY: $24+ million
- Free agent after: 2026
Remember when Hamilton’s 40-yard dash time (4.59 seconds) was supposed to indicate he would struggle at the next level? Yeah, that take did not age well. Hamilton can line up almost anywhere on a defense, excelling in coverage and against the run. He can impact the game as a pass rusher, as well.
Hamilton has been a Pro Bowler in each of the last two seasons. He was the only defensive back to record at least 10 tackles for loss and 10 passes defensed in his 2023 All-Pro season. He’s the only defensive back with at least five sacks and five interceptions over the last two seasons.
The Ravens have made major investments in the secondary in recent years, drafting cornerback Nate Wiggins and safety Malaki Starks with their last two first-round picks. But the best piece on the defense is Hamilton. Whenever his deal gets done, it will make him the league’s highest-paid safety. Whether he can pull the top of the safety market up to the top of the cornerback market is another interesting storyline to watch.
ON THE RADAR:
Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers: James turns 29 in August and has two years remaining on his current deal. When healthy, he makes a strong argument for the title of best safety in the NFL. After struggling to stay on the field earlier in his career, he's missed only one game due to injury over the past two seasons. He can impact the game from every level and assignment. James is one of two players (and the only defensive back) with 10-plus sacks and 20-plus passes defensed since 2022 (the other is his Chargers teammate, Khalil Mack). He'll be at the top of the market on his next deal.
Jessie Bates III, Atlanta Falcons: Bates doesn't turn 29 until after the 2025 season, at which point he will have one more year remaining on his deal. Since joining the Falcons in 2023, he's the only player in the NFL with 10-plus interceptions and five or more forced fumbles. Bates has been one of the few bright spots on the Atlanta defense.
Others to consider: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers; Brandon Jones, Denver Broncos.
Notable player not eligible for extension: Brian Branch, Detroit Lions.
