The NFL's highest-paid defensive tackles: See the position's 2023 salary rankings
The top 15 highest-paid NFL players are all quarterbacks. Breaking that run on the list is Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
Donald is a three-time defensive player of the year, nine-time Pro Bowl selection and seven-time first-team All-Pro. His spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is waiting for the should-be first-ballot enshrinee, and his name will be mentioned alongside the greatest of all time at his position.
While Donald — who is entering his 10th season — is in the twilight of his career, the New York Jets' Quinnen Williams might be ready to challenge Donald as the dominant defensive tackle in the game today.
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Who is the highest-paid interior defensive lineman in the NFL?
Donald easily is the highest-paid defensive tackle, earning $31.66 million annually on a three-year, $95 million deal signed in June 2022. At the time, the contract made Donald the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history – but he was surpassed in September 2023 by San Francisco 49ers star edge rusher Nick Bosa, who landed a five-year, $170 million deal.
2023 NFL interior defensive linemen salary rankings
Here are the interior defensive linemen salary rankings based on average annual value, according to Over The Cap.
1. Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams: $31.66 million (3 years, $95 million)
2. Quinnen Williams, New York Jets: $24 million (4 years, $96 million)
3. Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans: $23.5 million (4 years, $94 million)
4 (tie). Daron Payne, Washington Commanders: $22.5 million (4 years, $90 million)
4 (tie). Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants: $22.5 million (4 years, $90 million)
6 (tie). Javon Hargrave, San Francisco 49ers: $21 million (4 years, $84 million)
6 (tie). Leonard Williams, New York Giants: $21 million (3 years, $63 million)
6 (tie). DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts: $21 million (4 years, $84 million)
9. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs: $19.5 million (1 year, $19.5 million)
10. Jonathan Allen, Washington Commanders: $18 million (4 years, $72 million)
11. Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $17.75 million (4 years, $71 million)
12. Kenny Clark, Green Bay Packers: $17.5 million (4 years, $70 million)
13. Dre'Mont Jones, Seattle Seahawks: $17.17 million (3 years, $51.53 million)
14 (tie). Ed Oliver, Buffalo Bills: $17 million (4 years, $68 million)
14 (tie). Arik Armstead, San Francisco 49ers: $17 million (5 years, $85 million)
16. Grady Jarrett, Atlanta Falcons: $16.5 million (3 years, $49.5 million)
17. Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers: $16.4 million (4 years, $65.6 million)
18. Zach Allen, Denver Broncos: $15.25 million (3 years, $45.75 million)
19. Dalvin Tomlinson, Cleveland Browns: $14.25 million (4 years, $57 million)
20. D.J. Reader, Cincinnati Bengals: $13.25 million (4 years, $53 million)
21. David Onyemata, Atlanta Falcons: $11.66 million (3 years, $35 million)
22 (tie). Davon Hamilton, Jacksonville Jaguars: $11.5 million (3 years, $34.5 million)
22 (tie). Maliek Collins, Houston Texans: $11.5 million (2 years, $23 million)
24. Davon Godchaux, New England Patriots: $10.4 million (2 years, $20.8 million)
25 (tie). Grover Stewart, Indianapolis Colts: $10.25 million (3 years, $30.75 million)
25 (tie). Zach Sieler, Miami Dolphins: $10.25 million (3 years, $30.75 million)
27 (tie). D.J. Jones, Denver Broncos: $10 million (3 years, $30 million)
27 (tie). Folorunso Fatukasi, Jacksonville Jaguars: $10 million (3 years, $30 million)
27 (tie). B.J. Hill, Cincinnati Bengals: $10 million (3 years, $30 million)
30. Sheldon Rankins, Houston Texans: $9.75 million (1 year, $9.75 million)
31. Larry Ogunjobi, Pittsburgh Steelers: $9.58 million (3 years, $28.75 million)
32. Sheldon Joseph-Day, Los Angeles Chargers: $8 million (3 years, $24 million)
Here’s the highest-paid list for all the positions
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Highest paid NFL defensive tackles: The top 32 ranked by 2023 salary
