Where the Highest Paid NFL Players Were Drafted
Published: June 19, 2020
We talk often about which NFL players are paid the most within their respective position group, but we don't mention regularly where they started from to get there. Does it matter? Our look into the draft statuses for where the top paid players at each positon group came from. Keep up with the conversation @spotrac.
Quarterbacks
| Player | Team | Current AAV | Draft Round | Draft Pick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SEA | $35,000,000 | 3 | 75 | |
| 2 | PIT | $34,000,000 | 1 | 11 | |
| 3 | GB | $33,500,000 | 1 | 24 | |
| 4 | LAR | $33,500,000 | 1 | 1 | |
| 5 | MIN | $33,000,000 | 4 | 102 | |
| 6 | PHI | $32,000,000 | 1 | 2 | |
| 7 | DAL | $31,409,000 | 4 | 135 | |
| 8 | ATL | $30,000,000 | 1 | 3 | |
| 9 | TEN | $29,500,000 | 1 | 8 | |
| 10 | SF | $27,500,000 | 2 | 62 | |
| 11 | DET | $27,000,000 | 1 | 1 | |
| 12 | LVR | $25,000,000 | 2 | 36 | |
| 13 | TB | $25,000,000 | 6 | 199 | |
| 14 | NO | $25,000,000 | 2 | 32 | |
| 15 | IND | $25,000,000 | 1 | 4 | |
| 16 | WAS | $23,500,000 | 1 | 1 | |
| 17 | CAR | $21,000,000 | 1 | 32 | |
| 18 | NO | $16,300,000 | - | - | |
| 19 | IND | $15,000,000 | 3 | 91 | |
| 20 | LVR | $8,800,000 | 1 | 2 | |
| 21 | ARI | $8,789,661 | 1 | 1 | |
| 22 | CLE | $8,170,745 | 1 | 1 | |
| 23 | CHI | $8,000,000 | 3 | 88 | |
| 24 | MIA | $7,568,860 | 1 | 5 | |
| 25 | NYJ | $7,561,929 | 1 | 3 |
Running Backs
| Player | Team | Current AAV | Draft Round | Draft Pick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CAR | $16,015,875 | 1 | 8 | |
| 2 | DAL | $15,000,000 | 1 | 4 | |
| 3 | NYJ | $13,125,000 | 2 | 48 | |
| 4 | HOU | $13,000,000 | 3 | 86 | |
| 5 | TEN | $10,278,000 | 2 | 45 | |
| 6 | ARI | $8,483,000 | 3 | 73 | |
| 7 | DEN | $8,000,000 | 1 | 15 | |
| 8 | NYG | $7,798,688 | 1 | 2 | |
| 9 | JAC | $6,787,711 | 1 | 4 | |
| 10 | LAC | $6,125,000 | - | - | |
| 11 | ATL | $5,500,000 | 1 | 10 | |
| 12 | HOU | $5,203,333 | 3 | 77 | |
| 13 | BAL | $5,000,000 | 1 | 28 | |
| 14 | MIA | $4,875,000 | 5 | 150 | |
| 15 | CIN | $4,850,000 | 2 | 37 | |
| 16 | SF | $4,250,000 | 3 | 73 | |
| 17 | NE | $4,000,000 | 4 | 130 | |
| 18 | NO | $3,600,000 | 6 | 181 | |
| 19 | LVR | $3,500,000 | - | - | |
| 20 | MIA | $3,259,000 | - | - | |
| 21 | CLE | $3,259,000 | 3 | 86 | |
| 22 | NE | $3,250,000 | 6 | 190 | |
| 23 | CAR | $3,000,000 | 4 | 126 | |
| 24 | LVR | $2,983,350 | 1 | 24 | |
| 25 | SF | $2,900,000 | - | - |
Wide Receivers
| Player | Team | Current AAV | Draft Round | Draft Pick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ATL | $22,000,000 | 1 | 6 | |
| 2 | DAL | $20,000,000 | 1 | 4 | |
| 3 | NO | $19,250,000 | 2 | 47 | |
| 4 | KC | $18,000,000 | 5 | 165 | |
| 5 | CLE | $18,000,000 | 1 | 12 | |
| 6 | CIN | $17,865,000 | 1 | 4 | |
| 7 | TB | $16,500,000 | 1 | 7 | |
| 8 | ARI | $16,200,000 | 1 | 27 | |
| 9 | HOU | $16,200,000 | 1 | 20 | |
| 10 | MIN | $16,050,000 | - | - | |
| 11 | CLE | $15,100,000 | 2 | 63 | |
| 12 | GB | $14,500,000 | 2 | 53 | |
| 13 | BUF | $14,400,000 | 5 | 146 | |
| 14 | CHI | $14,000,000 | 2 | 61 | |
| 15 | IND | $13,000,000 | 3 | 92 | |
| 16 | PHI | $13,000,000 | 2 | 45 | |
| 17 | NO | $12,000,000 | 3 | 82 | |
| 18 | ARI | $11,500,000 | 1 | 3 | |
| 19 | LAC | $11,250,000 | 3 | 76 | |
| 20 | LVR | $11,075,000 | - | - | |
| 21 | CIN | $10,750,000 | 2 | 55 | |
| 22 | SEA | $10,250,000 | 3 | 69 | |
| 23 | NYG | $10,250,000 | 2 | 40 | |
| 24 | CAR | $10,000,000 | - | - | |
| 25 | NYJ | $9,500,000 | 4 | 105 |
Tight Ends
| Player | Team | Current AAV | Draft Round | Draft Pick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LAC | $10,607,000 | 2 | 35 | |
| 2 | CLE | $10,500,000 | 3 | 81 | |
| 3 | KC | $9,368,400 | 3 | 63 | |
| 4 | TB | $9,000,000 | 2 | 42 | |
| 5 | MIN | $9,000,000 | 2 | 43 | |
| 6 | PHI | $8,500,000 | 2 | 35 | |
| 7 | CHI | $8,000,000 | 3 | 95 | |
| 8 | NO | $7,500,000 | 3 | 89 | |
| 9 | LVR | $7,450,000 | 6 | 204 | |
| 10 | LAR | $7,250,000 | 4 | 110 | |
| 11 | IND | $7,100,000 | - | - | |
| 12 | SEA | $7,000,000 | 1 | 31 | |
| 13 | TB | $6,800,000 | - | - | |
| 14 | PIT | $6,550,000 | 2 | 55 | |
| 15 | BUF | $6,250,000 | 3 | 85 | |
| 16 | CIN | $6,100,000 | 5 | 157 | |
| 17 | PIT | $6,000,000 | 1 | 10 | |
| 18 | BAL | $6,000,000 | 5 | 171 | |
| 19 | DET | $5,650,000 | 5 | 160 | |
| 20 | DAL | $5,500,000 | - | - | |
| 21 | DET | $4,955,306 | 1 | 8 | |
| 22 | JAC | $4,750,000 | 1 | 21 | |
| 23 | LVR | $4,000,000 | 3 | 69 | |
| 24 | DEN | $4,000,000 | 3 | 92 | |
| 25 | NYJ | $3,600,000 | 6 | 201 |
Left Tackles
| Player | Team | Current AAV | Draft Round | Draft Pick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HOU | $22,000,000 | 1 | 13 | |
| 2 | IND | $16,500,000 | 1 | 22 | |
| 3 | TEN | $16,000,000 | 1 | 11 | |
| 4 | NYG | $15,500,000 | 1 | 17 | |
| 5 | ARI | $14,583,333 | 1 | 24 | |
| 6 | ATL | $14,500,000 | 1 | 6 | |
| 7 | TB | $13,750,000 | 2 | 34 | |
| 8 | SF | $13,600,000 | 1 | 4 | |
| 9 | CAR | $13,250,000 | 1 | 6 | |
| 10 | NO | $13,000,000 | 3 | 75 | |
| 11 | DAL | $12,200,000 | 1 | 9 | |
| 12 | GB | $12,000,000 | 4 | 109 | |
| 13 | KC | $12,000,000 | 1 | 1 | |
| 14 | MIN | $11,750,000 | 1 | 23 | |
| 15 | SEA | $11,500,000 | 1 | 26 | |
| 16 | LAR | $10,000,026 | 2 | 55 | |
| 17 | LAC | $10,000,000 | 1 | 23 | |
| 18 | CHI | $9,250,000 | 7 | 246 | |
| 19 | NYJ | $9,100,000 | - | - | |
| 20 | CLE | $7,300,000 | - | - | |
| 21 | PIT | $6,000,000 | - | - | |
| 22 | BAL | $5,121,083 | 1 | 6 | |
| 23 | BUF | $5,000,000 | - | - | |
| 24 | CIN | $4,407,542 | 1 | 11 | |
| 25 | MIA | $3,410,086 | 1 | 18 |
Right Tackles
| Player | Team | Current AAV | Draft Round | Draft Pick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PHI | $18,000,000 | 1 | 4 | |
| 2 | LVR | $16,500,000 | 7 | 244 | |
| 3 | CLE | $14,000,000 | 1 | 8 | |
| 4 | DEN | $12,750,000 | 1 | 19 | |
| 5 | DAL | $10,000,000 | - | - | |
| 6 | DET | $9,000,000 | 5 | 164 | |
| 7 | KC | $8,151,667 | 2 | 37 | |
| 8 | LAR | $8,125,000 | 2 | 57 | |
| 9 | CHI | $7,700,000 | 4 | 112 | |
| 10 | WAS | $7,700,000 | 3 | 66 | |
| 11 | NE | $6,482,000 | 5 | 138 | |
| 12 | TEN | $5,750,000 | 5 | 153 | |
| 13 | GB | $5,500,000 | 5 | 168 | |
| 14 | CIN | $5,383,333 | 7 | 226 | |
| 15 | MIA | $5,000,000 | - | - | |
| 16 | SF | $4,585,430 | 1 | 9 | |
| 17 | SEA | $4,500,000 | 5 | 158 | |
| 18 | NYG | $3,500,000 | 4 | 140 | |
| 19 | NYJ | $3,500,000 | - | - | |
| 20 | PIT | $3,259,000 | - | - | |
| 21 | HOU | $3,056,388 | 1 | 23 | |
| 22 | ATL | $2,566,436 | 1 | 31 | |
| 23 | SEA | $2,300,000 | 1 | 21 | |
| 24 | TB | $2,300,000 | 5 | 155 | |
| 25 | CLE | $2,250,000 | - | - |
Guards
| Player | Team | Current AAV | Draft Round | Draft Pick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WAS | $15,030,000 | 1 | 5 | |
| 2 | NE | $14,781,000 | 3 | 78 | |
| 3 | PHI | $14,087,500 | 3 | 76 | |
| 4 | DAL | $14,000,000 | 1 | 16 | |
| 5 | JAC | $13,300,000 | - | - | |
| 6 | NO | $11,500,000 | 1 | 13 | |
| 7 | LAC | $11,250,000 | 3 | 92 | |
| 8 | LVR | $11,000,000 | 3 | 81 | |
| 9 | DEN | $11,000,000 | 3 | 95 | |
| 10 | TEN | $11,000,000 | 2 | 33 | |
| 11 | TB | $10,825,000 | 2 | 61 | |
| 12 | NYG | $10,666,667 | 1 | 27 | |
| 13 | PIT | $10,000,000 | 1 | 24 | |
| 14 | MIA | $10,000,000 | 1 | 9 | |
| 15 | NE | $9,000,000 | 4 | 131 | |
| 16 | ARI | $8,955,000 | 1 | 19 | |
| 17 | CLE | $8,527,463 | 2 | 35 | |
| 18 | KC | $8,472,600 | 6 | 200 | |
| 19 | NYJ | $7,250,000 | 3 | 72 | |
| 20 | HOU | $7,000,000 | 6 | 193 | |
| 21 | GB | $7,000,000 | 3 | 67 | |
| 22 | LVR | $6,350,000 | 3 | 81 | |
| 23 | ATL | $6,250,000 | 3 | 72 | |
| 24 | NYJ | $6,200,000 | 4 | 130 | |
| 25 | IND | $5,972,227 | 1 | 6 |
Centers
| Player | Team | Current AAV | Draft Round | Draft Pick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LVR | $11,250,000 | 2 | 55 | |
| 2 | BUF | $11,125,000 | 2 | 49 | |
| 3 | HOU | $11,000,000 | 2 | 50 | |
| 4 | PIT | $11,000,000 | 1 | 18 | |
| 5 | CLE | $10,850,000 | 4 | 122 | |
| 6 | TB | $10,500,000 | 6 | 203 | |
| 7 | JAC | $10,340,600 | 3 | 93 | |
| 8 | CHI | $10,250,000 | 2 | 56 | |
| 9 | CAR | $9,676,667 | 6 | 207 | |
| 10 | SF | $9,500,000 | 2 | 43 | |
| 11 | NYJ | $9,000,000 | 5 | 144 | |
| 12 | LAC | $9,000,000 | 1 | 15 | |
| 13 | ATL | $9,000,000 | 1 | 21 | |
| 14 | GB | $8,500,000 | 5 | 161 | |
| 15 | PHI | $8,166,667 | 6 | 191 | |
| 16 | CIN | $6,800,000 | - | - | |
| 17 | TEN | $6,750,000 | 4 | 99 | |
| 18 | NO | $5,750,000 | - | - | |
| 19 | SEA | $4,000,000 | - | - | |
| 20 | MIN | $3,220,718 | 1 | 18 | |
| 21 | NE | $3,000,000 | - | - | |
| 22 | HOU | $3,000,000 | - | - | |
| 23 | MIA | $3,000,000 | 6 | 221 | |
| 24 | DET | $2,945,035 | 1 | 20 | |
| 25 | CIN | $2,928,123 | 1 | 21 |
Defensive Tackles
| Player | Team | Current AAV | Draft Round | Draft Pick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LAR | $22,500,000 | 1 | 13 | |
| 2 | IND | $21,000,000 | 1 | 7 | |
| 3 | PHI | $17,100,000 | 1 | 12 | |
| 4 | ATL | $17,000,000 | 5 | 137 | |
| 5 | CIN | $16,300,000 | 4 | 120 | |
| 6 | KC | $16,126,000 | 2 | 37 | |
| 7 | CIN | $13,250,000 | 5 | 166 | |
| 8 | PHI | $13,000,000 | 3 | 89 | |
| 9 | CLE | $12,333,333 | 1 | 13 | |
| 10 | CHI | $12,000,000 | 3 | 89 | |
| 11 | SEA | $11,500,000 | 2 | 49 | |
| 12 | CHI | $10,510,000 | 2 | 39 | |
| 13 | BAL | $10,500,000 | 3 | 94 | |
| 14 | ARI | $10,000,000 | 2 | 52 | |
| 15 | PHI | $10,000,000 | 5 | 137 | |
| 16 | PIT | $9,866,667 | 1 | 31 | |
| 17 | MIN | $9,000,000 | - | - | |
| 18 | NO | $8,666,667 | 4 | 120 | |
| 19 | LAC | $8,500,000 | 2 | 46 | |
| 20 | LAR | $8,500,000 | 2 | 46 | |
| 21 | TB | $8,000,000 | 1 | 2 | |
| 22 | BUF | $7,500,000 | 1 | 30 | |
| 23 | WAS | $7,250,000 | 5 | 152 | |
| 24 | SF | $7,038,592 | 1 | 3 | |
| 25 | TEN | $7,000,000 | 4 | 112 |
Edge Defenders
| Player | Team | Current AAV | Draft Round | Draft Pick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHI | $23,500,000 | 1 | 5 | |
| 2 | DAL | $21,000,000 | 2 | 34 | |
| 3 | KC | $20,800,000 | 2 | 63 | |
| 4 | DEN | $19,016,667 | 1 | 2 | |
| 5 | DET | $18,000,000 | 4 | 101 | |
| 6 | JAC | $17,788,000 | 3 | 69 | |
| 7 | NO | $17,500,000 | 1 | 24 | |
| 8 | SF | $17,100,000 | 1 | 23 | |
| 9 | SF | $17,000,000 | 1 | 17 | |
| 10 | CLE | $17,000,000 | 3 | 72 | |
| 11 | BAL | $16,808,000 | 5 | 146 | |
| 12 | HOU | $16,667,571 | 1 | 11 | |
| 13 | ARI | $16,500,000 | 1 | 21 | |
| 14 | GB | $16,500,000 | 4 | 122 | |
| 15 | NYG | $16,126,000 | 1 | 6 | |
| 16 | CAR | $16,100,000 | 2 | 44 | |
| 17 | LAC | $16,000,000 | 1 | 18 | |
| 18 | PIT | $15,828,000 | 1 | 22 | |
| 19 | TB | $15,828,000 | - | - | |
| 20 | DEN | $15,100,000 | 3 | 77 | |
| 21 | ATL | $15,000,000 | 1 | 3 | |
| 22 | MIN | $14,400,000 | 3 | 88 | |
| 23 | CHI | $14,000,000 | 1 | 14 | |
| 24 | CIN | $13,550,000 | 2 | 54 | |
| 25 | HOU | $13,500,000 | 1 | 26 |
Linebackers
| Player Name | Team Abbr | Cont. AAV | Draft Round | Draft Pick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SEA | $18,000,000 | 2 | 47 | |
| 2 | NYJ | $17,000,000 | 1 | 17 | |
| 3 | JAC | $14,250,000 | 2 | 36 | |
| 4 | ATL | $14,250,000 | 2 | 52 | |
| 5 | CAR | $13,608,250 | 1 | 25 | |
| 6 | LVR | $11,750,000 | - | - | |
| 7 | DAL | $11,403,500 | 2 | 34 | |
| 8 | JAC | $10,750,000 | 4 | 99 | |
| 9 | NYG | $10,250,000 | 4 | 131 | |
| 10 | TB | $10,050,000 | 2 | 58 | |
| 11 | HOU | $10,000,000 | 2 | 43 | |
| 12 | MIN | $10,000,000 | 2 | 45 | |
| 13 | LAR | $10,000,000 | 1 | 9 | |
| 14 | KC | $9,000,000 | 4 | 119 | |
| 15 | ARI | $8,500,000 | 3 | 84 | |
| 16 | NYJ | $7,500,000 | 5 | 151 | |
| 17 | TB | $7,328,954 | 1 | 5 | |
| 18 | CHI | $7,250,000 | 6 | 188 | |
| 19 | GB | $6,500,000 | 3 | 71 | |
| 20 | PIT | $6,200,000 | 6 | 206 | |
| 21 | ARI | $6,000,000 | 4 | 115 | |
| 22 | LAC | $6,000,000 | 2 | 48 | |
| 23 | DEN | $5,000,000 | - | - | |
| 24 | PIT | $4,717,941 | 1 | 10 | |
| 25 | CHI | $4,619,292 | 1 | 8 |
Cornerbacks
| Player | Team | Current AAV | Draft Round | Draft Pick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PHI | $16,683,333 | 2 | 36 | |
| 2 | MIA | $16,500,000 | 1 | 27 | |
| 3 | MIA | $15,050,000 | 2 | 38 | |
| 4 | NYG | $14,500,000 | 2 | 62 | |
| 5 | ARI | $14,010,000 | 1 | 5 | |
| 6 | CIN | $14,000,000 | 1 | 11 | |
| 7 | BAL | $14,000,000 | 1 | 18 | |
| 8 | CHI | $13,500,000 | 1 | 14 | |
| 9 | DEN | $13,500,000 | - | - | |
| 10 | NE | $13,000,000 | 1 | 10 | |
| 11 | TEN | $12,250,000 | - | - | |
| 12 | PIT | $11,200,000 | 1 | 7 | |
| 13 | LAC | $11,083,333 | 2 | 62 | |
| 14 | HOU | $10,500,000 | 1 | 31 | |
| 15 | WAS | $10,000,000 | 3 | 84 | |
| 16 | DET | $10,000,000 | 1 | 22 | |
| 17 | SF | $9,050,000 | 5 | 154 | |
| 18 | DET | $9,000,000 | - | - | |
| 19 | BAL | $8,600,000 | 4 | 104 | |
| 20 | PIT | $8,500,000 | 3 | 98 | |
| 21 | LAC | $8,500,000 | - | - | |
| 22 | NO | $8,375,000 | 2 | 39 | |
| 23 | IND | $8,325,000 | - | - | |
| 24 | ARI | $7,500,000 | 2 | 60 | |
| 25 | CLE | $7,291,339 | 1 | 4 |
Safeties
| Player | Team | Current AAV | Draft Round | Draft Pick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHI | $14,600,000 | 4 | 112 | |
| 2 | TEN | $14,100,000 | 3 | 64 | |
| 3 | WAS | $14,000,000 | 2 | 33 | |
| 4 | KC | $14,000,000 | 3 | 69 | |
| 5 | BAL | $13,750,000 | 1 | 14 | |
| 6 | NE | $11,500,000 | 1 | 27 | |
| 7 | DEN | $11,441,000 | 3 | 98 | |
| 8 | MIN | $11,441,000 | - | - | |
| 9 | DEN | $11,000,000 | 1 | 20 | |
| 10 | LVR | $10,500,000 | 2 | 41 | |
| 11 | MIN | $10,250,000 | 1 | 29 | |
| 12 | BUF | $9,750,000 | 7 | 218 | |
| 13 | SF | $9,500,000 | 1 | 30 | |
| 14 | GB | $9,000,000 | 5 | 142 | |
| 15 | NO | $8,000,000 | 1 | 14 | |
| 16 | MIA | $6,750,000 | 5 | 145 | |
| 17 | SF | $6,500,000 | 2 | 46 | |
| 18 | ATL | $6,500,000 | 5 | 147 | |
| 19 | SEA | $6,200,000 | 6 | 200 | |
| 20 | BUF | $6,100,000 | 5 | 159 | |
| 21 | CIN | $6,000,000 | 2 | 61 | |
| 22 | HOU | $6,000,000 | 4 | 106 | |
| 23 | CAR | $6,000,000 | 4 | 128 | |
| 24 | TEN | $6,000,000 | 1 | 15 | |
| 25 | NYJ | $5,564,685 | 1 | 6 |
Special Teamers
| Player | Team | Current AAV | Draft Round | Draft Pick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BAL | $5,000,000 | - | - | |
| 2 | SF | $4,750,000 | - | - | |
| 3 | HOU | $4,412,500 | - | - | |
| 4 | GB | $4,300,000 | 6 | 193 | |
| 5 | CAR | $4,250,000 | - | - | |
| 6 | PIT | $4,201,500 | - | - | |
| 7 | KC | $4,055,000 | 7 | 233 | |
| 8 | NO | $4,050,000 | - | - | |
| 9 | BUF | $4,000,000 | - | - | |
| 10 | NO | $3,962,500 | 5 | 164 | |
| 11 | JAC | $3,875,000 | - | - | |
| 12 | SEA | $3,862,500 | - | - | |
| 13 | PHI | $3,861,620 | 5 | 153 | |
| 14 | DET | $3,800,000 | - | - | |
| 15 | LAR | $3,762,943 | - | - | |
| 16 | DEN | $3,751,333 | - | - | |
| 17 | WAS | $3,412,500 | - | - | |
| 18 | MIN | $3,333,333 | - | - | |
| 19 | NYG | $3,259,000 | - | - | |
| 20 | ARI | $3,259,000 | 7 | 224 | |
| 21 | TEN | $3,162,500 | - | - | |
| 22 | MIN | $3,000,000 | - | - | |
| 23 | NYG | $2,900,000 | 7 | 228 | |
| 24 | IND | $2,900,000 | - | - | |
| 25 | HOU | $2,750,000 | 3 | 70 |
