Highest paid defensive linemen in NFL: Ranking interior D-linemen by salary for 2020
Jeremy Cluff
Here's a look at the highest paid interior defensive linemen in the league for the 2020 NFL season, based on current contracts.
NFL defensive linemen are plaguing the opposition and as a result, they are seeing their salaries go up.
23 interior defensive linemen now make at least $10 million in average annual salary per year, per overthecap.com, a site that tracks NFL player contracts (through Sept. 10, 2020).
More:NFL's highest paid defensive linemen: Aaron Donald, DeForest Buckner, Chris Jones top list
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- Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends
- Cornerbacks | Safeties | Linebackers | O-linemen | D-linemen
- Edge rushers | Highest paid players: Overall | By position
WHAT CHANGED?: NFL's highest paid defensive linemen in 2019
Nine make at least $15 million.
The highest paid defensive linemen in the NFL is the Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald. He makes $22.5 million per season.
He's followed by the Indianapolis Colts' DeForest Buckner at $21 million.
The Kansas City Chiefs' Chris Jones is third at $20 million.
The Green Bay Packers' Kenny Clark is fourth at $17.5 million.
Fletcher Cox of the Philadelphia Eagles rounds out the Top 5 at $17.1 million.
PHOTOS:Ranking NFL defensive linemen by salary
NFL's highest paid interior defensive linemen (average salary per year):
- 1. Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald: $22.5 million
- 2. Colts defensive lineman DeForest Buckner: $21 million
- 3. Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones: $20 million
- 4. Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clark: $17.5 million
- 5. Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox: $17.1 million
- 6. Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett: $17 million
- 7. Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt: $16.6 million
- 8. Bengals defensive lineman Geno Atkins: $16.3 million
- 9. Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams: $16.1 million
- 10. Panthers defensive lineman Kawann Short: $16.1 million
- Source: overthecap.com
To see the 23 NFL interior defensive linemen who make at least $10 million a year in average salary, ranked from highest average salary to lowest, click here.
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