The opening wave of deals in NFL free agency has included massive contracts for defenders.
The New York Giants reportedly gave pass rusher Brian Burns a five-year, $141 million deal after acquiring him from the Carolina Panthers. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins reportedly left the Miami Dolphins for a four-year, $110 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Seattle Seahawks re-signed defensive end Leonard Williams to a reported three-year, $64.5 million deal. And the Houston Texans reportedly landed ex-Minnesota Vikings pass rusher Danielle Hunter on a two-year, $49 million deal.
Meanwhile, other defensive stars secured big-money deals prior to free agency.
The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed defensive tackle Chris Jones to a reported five-year, $158.75 deal. The Baltimore Ravens kept Justin Madubuike in town with a reported four-year, $98 million contract. And the Jacksonville Jaguars applied the $24 million franchise tag on pass rusher Josh Allen.
So, where do these new deals rank among the largest on the defensive side of the ball? Here's a look at the NFL's highest-paid defenders in terms of average annual salary:
Who are the NFL's highest-paid defensive players?
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa remains the highest-paid defensive player. The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year signed a five-year, $170 million deal days before the 2023 season to give him an average salary of $34 million -- the highest for a defensive player in league history.
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Chris Jones' new deal will make him the second-highest defensive player, with an average salary of $31.75 million. That figure just beats out Los Angeles Rams three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, who has an average salary of $31.6 million.
Brian Burns will now rank fourth among defenders with an average salary of $28.2 million. Right behind Burns is Pittsburgh Steelers one-time Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt with an average salary of $28 million.
Christian Wilkins comes in at sixth ($27.5 million average salary), Justin Madubuike and Danielle Hunter are tied for ninth ($24.5 million), Josh Allen ranks 11th ($24 million) and Leonard Williams sits 21st ($21.5 million).
Here's a full look at the 20 highest-paid defensive players by average annual salary, according to Spotrac:
1. Nick Bosa, DE, San Francisco 49ers: $34,000,000
2. Chris Jones, DT, Kansas City Chiefs: $31,750,000
3. Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams: $31,666,667
4. Brian Burns, OLB, New York Giants: $28,200,000
5. T.J. Watt, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers: $28,002,750
6. Christian Wilkins, DT, Las Vegas Raiders: $27,500,000
7. Joey Bosa, DE, Los Angeles Chargers: $27,000,000
8. Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns: $25,000,000
T-9. Montez Sweat, DE, Chicago Bears: $24,500,000
T-9. Justin Madubuike, DT, Baltimore Ravens: $24,500,000
T-9. Danielle Hunter, OLB, Houston Texans: $24,500,000
12. Josh Allen, OLB, Jacksonville Jaguars: $24,007,000
T-13. Quinnen Williams, DT, New York Jets: $24,000,000
T-13. Rashan Gary, OLB, Green Bay Packers: $24,000,000
T-15. Maxx Crosby, DE, Las Vegas Raiders: $23,500,000
T-15. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Tennessee Titans: $23,500,000
T-15. Khalil Mack, OLB, Los Angeles Chargers: $23,500,000
18. Daron Payne, DT, Washington Commanders: $22,500,000
19. Bradley Chubb, OLB, Miami Dolphins: $22,000,000
20. Dexter Lawrence, DT, New York Giants: $21,875,000
