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5 players from this Super Bowl who should see big raises next season

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – At one point this week, when Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman was asked about his pending free agency, he paused and pointed at the Super Bowl logo on his jersey.

"[This is] all that matters to me," he said. "After that game, that's probably when I'll have sea upon sea of questions about all that stuff."

He was hardly alone this week. Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller also waved off a question about free agency, saying he was more interested in "losing himself" inside Super Bowl preparations. Whether they want to talk about it or not, both Norman and Miller are set to become two of the highest paid defensive players in the NFL this offseason. It's also a foregone conclusion that neither Norman or Miller will actually see free agency thanks to a franchise tag that will be applied if they can't work out new deals in the coming weeks. As it stands, both positions (cornerback and linebacker) are projecting a tag value of around $14 million in 2016.

Josh Norman is somewhere in that mask. (AP)
Josh Norman is somewhere in that mask. (AP)

That actually might be a discount in Miller's case, considering his negotiations are aiming to make him one of the richest edge rushers in the NFL. That means the baseline starting position is the six-year, $101 million deal (with $52.5 million in guarantees) signed by Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston last summer. Norman's long-term number should be more in line with the single-season salary of the 2016 franchise tag, as his starting baseline will likely be the five-year, $70 million deal signed by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson. Norman's guaranteed money should fall somewhere between $40 million and $50 million as well.

While those two players are unlikely to hit free agency, a few others could and probably should shop themselves around. Signing budding young players or established veterans from Super Bowl teams often make sexy free-agent pickups, and this offseason will be no different. Indeed, a handful of players stand to reel in lucrative deals coming out of the big game, much like a handful of players from last year. Those included cornerbacks Byron Maxwell (who left the Seattle Seahawks for the Philadelphia Eagles), Darrelle Revis (New England Patriots to the New York Jets) and Brandon Browner (Patriots to the New Orleans Saints). Seahawks guard James Carpenter also went to the Jets on a lucrative deal.

With that in mind, here are three players, aside from Norman and Miller, who are looking to cash in as they come out of the Super Bowl …

Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler: He may not see the field in the Super Bowl, but he played enough of a role this season to have piqued the interest of quarterback-needy teams. With Peyton Manning seemingly headed into the sunset, it's hard to believe Denver would let Osweiler get to the market, particularly when there are so many franchises that are starved for a viable starter. Osweiler is young (25) and displayed enough success in Manning's absence (a 61.8 percent completion rate, 246 yards passing per game, and 11 total touchdowns vs. seven turnovers). He doesn't have the depth of work to command a massive long-term deal. Instead, it looks more likely that he could wrangle a short-term "show me" deal, possibly something in the neighborhood of two years for $25 million. One way or another, he's getting paid.

Malik Jackson (Getty Images)
Malik Jackson (Getty Images)

Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson: For a while, it seemed like an either/or situation between extending defensive end Derek Wolfe or Jackson. Well, Jackson's contract talks stalled and were set aside, and Wolfe recently inked an extension. That may leave Jackson as the next big prize (after Von Miller) this offseason. He's more proficient against the pass than the run, and that's not a bad thing, even in a 3-4 setting. Pro Football Focus credited him with seven sacks this season and 45 hurries, placing him amongst the most disruptive 3-4 ends this season.

Some teams also believe Jackson could have the versatility to roll inside on passing downs as an athletic 4-3 defensive tackle (if a team is capable of multiple fronts), so his market should be fairly wide. His paycheck will be, too. The table was set by Cameron Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers, when he signed a six-year, $59 million deal, with $15 million in guaranteed money. Jackson may not reach those numbers, but he'll likely be very close.

Broncos inside linebacker Danny Trevathan: Start the Chicago Bears talk right now since the marriage seems to make so much sense. The Bears could use the every-down Trevathan in their scheme, and he's fond of former coach John Fox. This one already feels a lot like the situation when former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Bart Scott left that franchise to join coach Rex Ryan with the New York Jets. Much like Scott, Trevathan will come at a premium price (meaning he'll be overpaid when compared to the depth of his skills). He's a good young starter in the middle of a 3-4 defense, and he's athletic enough to make plays in pass coverage. What is that worth? It's hard to say exactly, but bet the contract signed by Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks (four years and $29 million) is sure to come into play. Trevathan's camp will likely use those numbers as a starting point.

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