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The NFL's highest-paid defensive tackles: See the position's 2024 salary rankings

jim reineking, usa today
·2 min read

If the Kansas City Chiefs had any ambitions of the first Super Bowl three-peat in NFL history, they had to secure their star defensive tackle.

Five-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro Chris Jones is nearly as important to the Chiefs defense as quarterback Patrick Mahomes is to the offense. Jones has been a foundational piece on the Chiefs during their budding dynasty. During the team's Super Bowl 58 victory celebration, Jones made his intentions clear that he wanted to remain with the team. In March, the Chiefs reciprocated with a five-year, $158 million contract.

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Who is the highest-paid interior defensive lineman in the NFL?

Jones' average-per-season salary of $31.75 million easily out-paces the next highest-paid interior defensive lineman, Christian Wilkins, who received a four-year, $110 million contract from the Las Vegas Raiders in March.

Chris Jones has been an All-Pro selection in each of the past two seasons.
Chris Jones has been an All-Pro selection in each of the past two seasons.

2024 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. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs: $31.8 million (5 years, $158.8 million)

2. Christian Wilkins, Las Vegas Raiders: $27.5 million (4 years, $110 million)

3. Nnamdi Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens: $24.5 million (4 years, $98 million)

4. Alim McNeill, Detroit Lions: $24.25 (4 years, $97 million)

5 (tie). Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers: $24 million (4 years, $96 million)

5 (tie). Quinnen Williams, New York Jets: $24 million (4 years, $96 million)

7. Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans: $23.5 million (4 years, $94 million)

8. DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts: $23 million (2 years, $46 million)

9 (tie). Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants: $22.5 million (4 years, $90 million)

9 (tie). Daron Payne, Washington Commanders: $22.5 million (4 years, $90 million)

11. Leonard Williams, Seattle Seahawks: $21.5 million (3 years, $64.5 million)

12. Kenny Clark, Green Bay Packers: $21.3 million (3 years, $64 million)

13 (tie). Christian Barmore, New England Patriots: $21 million (4 years, $84 million)

13 (tie). Javon Hargrove, San Francisco 49ers: $21 million (4 years, $84 million)

15. Jonathan Allen, Washington Commanders: $18 million (4 years, $72 million)

16. Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $17.8 million (4 years, $71 million)

17. Dre'Mont Jones, Seattle Seahawks: $17.2 million (3 years, $51.5 million)

18. Ed Oliver, Buffalo Bills: $17 million (4 years, $68 million)

19. Grady Jarrett, Atlanta Falcons: $16.5 million (3 years, $49.5 million)

20. Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers: $16.4 million (4 years, $65.6 million)

21. Zach Allen, Denver Broncos: $15.3 million (3 years, $45.8 million)

Here’s the highest-paid list for all the positions

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Highest paid NFL defensive tackles: The top 32 ranked by 2024 salary