Who are the highest paid safeties in the NFL entering the 2023 season?

Here's a look at the Top 10 safeties in the league, ranked by average annual salary, per overthecap.com, a site that tracks NFL player contracts (through July 25, 2023).

The Los Angeles Chargers' Derwin James leads the list, at $19 million per year.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick is second, at $18.2 million per season, followed by the Seattle Seahawks' Jamal Adams, at $17.5 million.

The Atlanta Falcons' Jessie Bates III if fourth at $16.01 million, with the Minnesota Vikings' Harrison Smith fifth with an average annual salary of $16 million.

NFL's highest paid players in 2023: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Cornerbacks | Safeties | Linebackers | O-linemen | D-linemen | Edge rushers | Highest paid players: Overall | By position | By team

NFL's highest paid safeties in 2023 (average salary per year):

• 1. Chargers safety Derwin James: $19 million

• 2. Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick: $18.2 million

• 3. Seahawks safety Jamal Adams: $17.5 million

• 4. Falcons safety Jessie Bates III: $16.01 million

• 5. Vikings safety Harrison Smith: $16 million

• 6. Broncos safety Justin Simmons: $15.25 million

• 7. Cardinals safety Budda Baker: $14.75 million

• 8. Bears safety Eddie Jackson: $14.6 million

• 9. Ravens safety Marcus Williams: $14 million

• 10. Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs: $13 million

- Source: overthecap.com

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL's highest paid safeties: Rankings for 2023 NFL season