NFL's Top Paid Players by position

[GBRulz]

I thought this was an interesting read

NFL's top-paid players by position

Gannett News Service

In the NFL, the top-paid players by position set the rates for franchise and transition players. The earnings for each player represent salary and prorated signing bonus for 2006.


If a team uses its franchise designation, the player receives a one-year offer at the average of the top five players at his position or a 20 percent pay increase, whichever is larger. His free agency is then restricted in that a team signing him must give up two No. 1 draft picks as compensation.


Transition players are tendered at the average of the top 10. The club retains a right of first refusal but does not get the draft picks if it doesn't match an offer.


Quarterbacks

Tom Brady, New England: $13,823,750


Michael Vick, Atlanta: $13,072,857


Carson Palmer, Cincinnati: $12,980,000



Brett Favre, Green Bay: $12,633,335

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis: $10,566,668


Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia: $8,553,911


Trent Green, Kansas City: $8,198,808


Marc Bulger, St. Louis: $7,582,000


David Carr, Houston: $7,250,000


Jake Plummer, Denver: $7,157,200


Franchise: $12,615,000


Transition: $10,182,000


Running backs

Edgerrin James, Arizona: $9,500,000


Tiki Barber, N.Y. Giants: $7,228,335


LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego: $6,316,666


LaMont Jordan, Oakland: $6,025,000


Shaun Alexander, Seattle: $5,925,000


Deuce McAllister, New Orleans: $5,755,000


Warrick Dunn, Atlanta: $5,728,332


Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia: $4,785,000


Fred Taylor, Jacksonville: $4,750,000


Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati: $3,800,000


Franchise: $6,999,000


Transition: $5,981,000


Receivers

Randy Moss, Oakland: $9,521,250


Torry Holt, St. Louis: $7,304,714


Andre Johnson, Houston: $7,186,664


Rod Smith, Denver: $7,050,328


Laveranues Coles, New York Jets: $7,000,000


Chad Johnson, Cincinnati: $6,769,801


Terrell Owens, Dallas: $6,666,666


Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis: $6,400,000


Amani Toomer, N.Y. Giants: $6,375,000


Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona: $6,121,250


Franchise: $7,613,000


Transition: $7,040,000


Tight ends

Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City: $5,431,370


Antonio Gates, San Diego: $4,860,000


Jeremy Shockey, N.Y. Giants: $4,185,000


Alge Crumpler, Atlanta: $4,033,333


Kyle Brady, Jacksonville: $3,346,250


Kellen Winslow II, Cleveland: $3,345,209


Jim Kleinsasser, Minnesota: $3,250,000


Todd Heap, Baltimore: $2,785,000



Bubba Franks, Green Bay: $2,585,000

Eric Johnson, San Francisco: $2,300,000


Franchise: $4,371,000


Transition: $3,612,000


Offensive linemen

Jonathan Ogden, Baltimore: $10,561,461


Olin Kreutz, Chicago: $10,166,666


Leonard Davis, Arizona: $9,929,418


Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota: $8,585,000


Bryant McKinnie, Minnesota: $8,535,887


Shawn Andrews, Philadelphia: $7,779,791


Flozell Adams, Dallas: $7,000,000


Orlando Pace, St. Louis: $6,975,000


Marvel Smith, Pittsburgh: $6,595,500


Barry Sims, Oakland: $6,543,069


Franchise: $9,556,000


Transition: $8,267,000


Defensive ends

Jason Taylor, Miami: $9,464,625


Simeon Rice, Tampa Bay: $9,200,000


Richard Seymour, New England: $8,979,000


Bryant Young, San Francisco: $7,878,551


Darren Howard, Philadelphia: $7,700,000


Julius Peppers, Carolina: $7,617,500


Michael Strahan, N.Y. Giants: $7,228,284


Shaun Ellis, New York Jets: $6,433,333


Leonard Little, St. Louis: $6,325,000


Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis: $6,180,715


Franchise: $8,644,000


Transition: $7,701,000


Defensive tackles

Dewayne Robertson, New York Jets: $9,417,760


John Henderson, Jacksonville: $6,836,500


Jamal Williams, San Diego: $6,650,000


Warren Sapp, Oakland: $5,997,000



Ryan Pickett, Green Bay: $4,975,000

Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh: $4,793,750


Rod Coleman, Atlanta: $4,447,500


Marcus Stroud, Jacksonville: $4,385,000


Darnell Dockett, Arizona: $4,115,000


Seth Payne, Houston: $3,925,000


Franchise: $6,775,000


Transition: $5,554,000


Linebackers

Ray Lewis, Baltimore: $8,428,571


Zach Thomas, Miami: $7,287,000


Keith Bulluck, Tennessee: $7,108,668


Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay: $6,907,083


Takeo Spikes, Buffalo: $6,300,000


Dan Morgan, Carolina: $6,285,000


Al Wilson, Denver: $5,986,733


Brian Urlacher, Chicago: $5,800,510


Rosevelt Colvin, New England: $5,478,000


Donnie Edwards, San Diego: $5,350,000


Franchise: $7,206,000


Transition: $6,493,000


Cornerbacks

Champ Bailey, Denver: $8,998,100


Chris McAlister, Baltimore: $8,407,082



Charles Woodson, Green Bay: $7,250,000

Nate Clements, Buffalo: $7,226,000


Quentin Jammer, San Diego: $7,070,834


Ronde Barber, Tampa Bay: $6,784,000


Ricky Manning, Chicago: $6,491,765


Samari Rolle, Baltimore: $5,200,000


Rashean Mathis, Jacksonville: $5,134,000


Dre Bly, Detroit: $5,100,000


Franchise: $7,790,000


Transition: $6,766,000


Safeties

Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia: $5,190,475


Roy Williams, Dallas: $4,623,452


Marlon McCree, San Diego: $4,585,000


Sean Taylor, Washington: $4,219,250


Tony Parrish, Dallas: $3,830,832


John Lynch, Denver: $3,800,000


Greg Wesley, Kansas City: $3,666,666


Deon Grant, Jacksonville: $3,383,334


Corey Chavous, St. Louis: $3,300,000


Adrian Wilson, Arizona: $3,239,499


Franchise: $4,490,000


Transition: $3,984,000


Punters/kickers

Olindo Mare, Miami: $2,321,181


David Akers, Philadelphia: $2,135,000


Jason Elam, Denver: $2,085,000


John Hall, Washington: $1,965,000


Craig Hentrich, Tennessee: $1,883,750


Shane Lechler, Oakland: $1,882,857


Neil Rackers, Arizona: $1,800,000


Jason Hanson, Detroit: $1,780,000


Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland: $1,702,833


John Kasay, Carolina: $1,700,000


Franchise: $2,078,000


Transition: $1,926,000

Source: NFL Players Association

[The Shadow]

The Michael Vick salary is the biggest hoot.
What a joke!

[Partial]

No the players that are top 5 overall picks and bust are the ones that are hilarious. Look at DT. LOL!! Robertson is awful. There are some funny, funny names on that list.

[]{ilr]3]

Warren Sapp, Oakland: $5,997,000

Now thats a Joke! :shock:

[Brando19]

David Carr's $7.2 million is hilarious! Has Houston had more than one winning season with him?

[BallHawk]

David Carr's $7.2 million is hilarious! Has Houston had more than one winning season with him?

They haven't had any. :shock:

[HarveyWallbangers]

{ilr]3]Warren Sapp, Oakland: $5,997,000

Now thats a Joke! :shock:

Sapp actually had a good year this year. 10+ sacks for DT is pretty darn good.

[b bulldog]

Sapp did play well but in all honesty, Brett is way overpaid also.

[Partial]

Marc Bulger is underpaid. He rocks.

[PackerPro42]

I heard that the colts are working on giving Manning some form of bonus or pay raise worth 8 million, or something like that. I can't remember the exact number but I heard it on ESPN.

[GBRulz]

I heard that the colts are working on giving Manning some form of bonus or pay raise worth 8 million, or something like that. I can't remember the exact number but I heard it on ESPN.

I wouldn't doubt if they try to do something with his contract, because if I heard correctly, his cap number is close to $20 mil for '08.

[KYPack]

LaMont Jordan at 6 mill is a shocker. Has this guy ever had a big season?

Oakland is completely screwed up.

Going to the Super Bowl was the worst thing that happened to that club.

[prsnfoto]

LaMont Jordan at 6 mill is a shocker. Has this guy ever had a big season?

Oakland is completely screwed up.

Going to the Super Bowl was the worst thing that happened to that club.

He is grossly overpaid. I wonder how they get these numbers and what it includes because KGB is going to get 6.5 this year with his PRSB so he would be in the top 10, I guess as much as I think he is overpaid there are a lot of bums on this list.

[Zool]

Wow Dan Morgan makes alot of money getting hurt every year. How do I get that gig?

[Partial]

I heard that the colts are working on giving Manning some form of bonus or pay raise worth 8 million, or something like that. I can't remember the exact number but I heard it on ESPN.

I wouldn't doubt if they try to do something with his contract, because if I heard correctly, his cap number is close to $20 mil for '08.

Yep. It's outrageous. Though AJ will probably be the highest paid linebacker next year with the 11 million dollar bonus. Average compensation per year of deal I believe he is like #6 or #7 already!

[wist43]

LaMont Jordan at 6 mill is a shocker. Has this guy ever had a big season?

Oakland is completely screwed up.

Going to the Super Bowl was the worst thing that happened to that club.

He is grossly overpaid. I wonder how they get these numbers and what it includes because KGB is going to get 6.5 this year with his PRSB so he would be in the top 10, I guess as much as I think he is overpaid there are a lot of bums on this list.

Have to disagree with you guys on this one... Oakland is, in fact, a complete mess, but Jordan is one hell of a back.

It's not his fault the rest of the team is junk, and is run by an 80 year old insane eccentric.

[Noodle]

Remember Brady getting all sorts press love (King at SI pratically gave him a Havel) for taking less than he could have gotten? Looks like he did ok, don't it? Especially when compared to the allegedly greedy SOB Manning. Heck, Tom can practically buy and sell that mope.

[MJZiggy]

pratically gave him a Havel

:lol: :lol:

[Charles Woodson]

I heard that the colts are working on giving Manning some form of bonus or pay raise worth 8 million, or something like that. I can't remember the exact number but I heard it on ESPN.

I wouldn't doubt if they try to do something with his contract, because if I heard correctly, his cap number is close to $20 mil for '08.


na i got the article he was suppose to get 10 mil this off season but they converted that to his regular siging bonus over the next four years. Saved the colts 8.2 million.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2773817

[GBRulz]

I heard that the colts are working on giving Manning some form of bonus or pay raise worth 8 million, or something like that. I can't remember the exact number but I heard it on ESPN.

I wouldn't doubt if they try to do something with his contract, because if I heard correctly, his cap number is close to $20 mil for '08.


na i got the article he was suppose to get 10 mil this off season but they converted that to his regular siging bonus over the next four years. Saved the colts 8.2 million.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2773817

How is this helping the Colts after this year though? Manning has 4 years left on his contract, so the $10 mil is scattered through that now, adding about 2.5 mil to his cap for the remaining years. His cap number for '08, I read was 18.5 mil, so by making the $10 mil into a signing bonus, won't his cap number escalate to well beyond $20 mil next year? The dude signed a $98 mil contract, it's gonna be payday sooner or later. I'm just trying to understand it though, I'm far, far from a cap guru like Patler :lol: ohhhh, PATLER, WHERE ARE YOU?? :wink:

[KYPack]

LaMont Jordan at 6 mill is a shocker. Has this guy ever had a big season?

Oakland is completely screwed up.

Going to the Super Bowl was the worst thing that happened to that club.

He is grossly overpaid. I wonder how they get these numbers and what it includes because KGB is going to get 6.5 this year with his PRSB so he would be in the top 10, I guess as much as I think he is overpaid there are a lot of bums on this list.

Have to disagree with you guys on this one... Oakland is, in fact, a complete mess, but Jordan is one hell of a back.

It's not his fault the rest of the team is junk, and is run by an 80 year old insane eccentric.


Had to look up my own answer.

He's had one good year.

Other than that, he's never gained over 500 yards in 6 seasons except for '05. The guy is basically a quick fat guy. 5'10" 230? He needs to be around 220 at the max. He's quick, but I was not impressed with him this year at all.

"Worth it" is a value judgement to be sure but I think Al and the boys screwed up with him as they have done with several other players.

Would he be better with a decent line in front of him? Sure.

Is he a 6 million dollar man? Hell No.

[GBRulz]

I wanted to take a look at this again. Mostly in reference to the top 10 salaries of RB's from last year. Green wants 5 mil a year, which would put him in the top 10 of highest paid RB's. I dunno guys, I just don't think he's worth it. Then I look at the cap increase and how we're going to see a new set of values placed on players. Which in our eyes equates to overpaying for mediocre FA's.

We have the room, what difference would it be if we paid him $3 mil or $5 mil I guess. Sign him already, TT...before i change my mind :lol:


Running backs

Edgerrin James, Arizona: $9,500,000

Tiki Barber, N.Y. Giants: $7,228,335

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego: $6,316,666

LaMont Jordan, Oakland: $6,025,000

Shaun Alexander, Seattle: $5,925,000

Deuce McAllister, New Orleans: $5,755,000

Warrick Dunn, Atlanta: $5,728,332

Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia: $4,785,000

Fred Taylor, Jacksonville: $4,750,000

Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati: $3,800,000


Franchise: $6,999,000
Transition: $5,981,000

[FritzDontBlitz]

when i first heard green wanted 5 million it sounded kinda steep to me too, seeing this list of the highest paid backs in the nfl helps put his asking price in much better perspective for me.

if jax just signed taylor to a deal worth 5 million then that's the ballpark green's deal needs to be in. if we won't pay green, someone else will. if we DON'T pay then the backfield returns to the hope-and-a-prayer it was after green got hurt in 2005.

i have no problem with making ahman the 8th highest paid rb in the nfl: we have the money and it can be worked out to make it palatable for both sides, so why not do it?

[GBRulz]

when i first heard green wanted 5 million it sounded kinda steep to me too, seeing this list of the highest paid backs in the nfl helps put his asking price in much better perspective for me.

if jax just signed taylor to a deal worth 5 million then that's the ballpark green's deal needs to be in. if we won't pay green, someone else will. if we DON'T pay then the backfield returns to the hope-and-a-prayer it was after green got hurt in 2005.

i have no problem with making ahman the 8th highest paid rb in the nfl: we have the money and it can be worked out to make it palatable for both sides, so why not do it?

Agreed. Once i saw the deal Jax gave Taylor, I'm like "shit, Green is gone".

[FritzDontBlitz]

i will go out on a limb and say that green will get his 5 million somewhere (hopefully here), but with all the other signings 5 million a year wont even make the top 10 anymore. :(