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Thursday, September 18, 2025

The Highest-Paid NFL Defensive Tackles

  • The top 13 highest-paid defensive tackles earn at least $20 million a year.
  • Four teams have 2 players featured among the highest-paid defensive tackles.
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive tackles don’t usually get as much attention as other positions. But the highest-paid NFL defensive tackles earn their fair share in salary for disrupting offenses. 

Chris Jones tops all defensive tackles with his $31.75 million annual salary. The Chiefs’ marquee defensive lineman signed a five-year, $158.75 million contract extension last March. 

Jones remains the only defensive tackle in the NFL earning at least $30 million annually. 

He’s also taking home the most guaranteed money among defensive tackles with $95 million of his contract guaranteed.

Christian Wilkins of the Raiders earns $27.5 million annually to come in second. 

His $110 million contract, signed during last offseason, vaulted him from outside the top 25 highest-paid defensive tackles to second. 

Nnamdi Madubuike is third earning $24.5 million annually. He signed a four-year, $98 million contract extension in March after recording a career-high 13 sacks in 2023. 

Before the extension, Madubuike had been offered a one-year franchise tag deal worth $22.1 million, but both sides agreed to the larger and longer contract he later signed. 

Alim McNeil of the Lions takes the fourth spot, earning $24.25 million. 

McNeil signed a contract extension worth $97 million in October that will keep him in Detroit through the 2028 season. 

He was rewarded after his most productive season in 2023, where he finished with career highs in QB hits and sacks.  

Ranking the Highest-Paid Defensive Tackles in the NFL

Here is the entire list of the top 25 highest-paid NFL defensive tackles. The list was compiled with data from Spotrac.

  • Updated: April 23rd, 2025
RankPlayerTeamTotal Compensation
1Chris JonesKansas City Chiefs$31.75 million
2Christian WilkinsLas Vegas Raiders$27.5 million
3Nnamdi MadubuikeBaltimore Ravens$24.5 million
4Alim McNeilDetroit Lions$24.25 million
T-5Derrick BrownCarolina Panthers$24 million
T-5Quinnen WilliamsNew York Jets$24 million
7Jeffery SimmonsTennessee Titans$23.5 million
8DeForest BucknerIndianapolis Colts$23 million
9Daron PayneWashington Commanders$22.5 million
10Dexter LawrenceNew York Giants$21.88 million
11Kenny ClarkGreen Bay Packers$21.33 million
12Christian BarmoreNew England Patriots$20.75 million
13Osa OdighizuwaDallas Cowboys$20 million
14Vita VeaTampa Bay Buccaneers$17.75 million
T-15Ed OliverBuffalo Bills$17 million
T-15Jonathan AllenMinnesota Vikings$17 million
17Tershawn WhartonCarolina Panthers$15.02 million
T-18Javon KinlawWashington Commanders$15 million
T-18Javon HargraveMinnesota Vikings$15 million
20Dalvin TomlinsonArizona Cardinals$14.5 million
21Grady JarrettChicago Bears$14.3 million
T-22D.J. JonesDenver Broncos$13 million
T-22Grover StewartIndianapolis Colts$13 million
24David OnyemataAtlanta Falcons$11.67 million
25DaVon HamiltonJacksonville Jaguars$11.5 million

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