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 in 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 the offseason vaulted him from outside of 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.
Madubuike had been offered a one-year franchise tag deal worth $22.1 million before the extension, 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: November 6, 2024
| Rank | Player | Team | Total Compensation |
| 1 | Chris Jones | Kansas City Chiefs | $31.75 million |
| 2 | Christian Wilkins | Las Vegas Raiders | $27.5 million |
| 3 | Nnamdi Madubuike | Baltimore Ravens | $24.5 million |
| 4 | Alim McNeil | Detroit Lions | $24.25 million |
| T-5 | Derrick Brown | Carolina Panthers | $24 million |
| T-5 | Quinnen Williams | New York Jets | $24 million |
| 7 | Jeffery Simmons | Tennessee Titans | $23.5 million |
| 8 | DeForest Buckner | Indianapolis Colts | $23 million |
| 9 | Daron Payne | Washington Commanders | $22.5 million |
| 10 | Dexter Lawrence | New York Giants | $21.88 million |
| 11 | Kenny Clark | Green Bay Packers | $21.33 million |
| 12 | Javon Hargrave | San Francisco 49ers | $21 million |
| 13 | Christian Barmore | New England Patriots | $20.75 million |
| 14 | Jonathan Allen | Washington Commanders | $18 million |
| 15 | Vita Vea | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | $17.75 million |
| 16 | Ed Oliver | Buffalo Bills | $17 million |
| 17 | Grady Jarrett | Atlanta Falcons | $16.82 million |
| 18 | Dalvin Tomlinson | Cleveland Browns | $14.25 million |
| 19 | Grover Stewart | Indianapolis Colts | $13 million |
| 20 | Sheldon Rankins | Cincinnati Bengals | $12.25 million |
| 21 | David Onyemata | Atlanta Falcons | $11.66 million |
| T-22 | DaVon Hamilton | Jacksonville Jaguars | $11.5 million |
| T-22 | Maliek Collins | San Francisco 49ers | $11.5 million |
| 24 | D.J. Reader | Detroit Lions | $11 million |
| 25 | Justin Jones | Arizona Cardinals | $10.39 million |
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