NFL offenses get all the glory and drive battles between networks for media rights, while star quarterbacks and offensive skill position players become magnets for lucrative endorsement deals.
On the other side of the ball, someone has to slow them down.
The highest-paid NFL defensive tackles earn wages that prove their value to their teams. Chris Jones takes the crown with his salary of $31.75 million.
The two-time All-Pro with the Chiefs signed his massive extension in March. He became the only defensive tackle to make $30 million a year.
Aaron Donald was the only other player earning $30 million, but recently announced his retirement. Jones is a three-time Super Bowl winner and his 74.5 career sacks are second on the list to Cameron Heyward.
Second is Christian Wilkins of the Raiders. The 29-year-old is set to earn $27.5 million in 2024-25. Like Jones, Wilkins signed his new deal in March of 2024 to net him $110 million over four years.
Justin Madubuike of the Ravens comes in third with his $24.5 million contract.
Madubuike had a breakout year last season, recording a career-high 13 sacks. He led all interior linemen in sacks and was a key part of Baltimore’s number-one scoring defense.
Rounding out the top five are two players tied earning $24 million a year: Derrick Brown of the Panthers and Quinnen Williams of the Jets.
Brown made his first Pro Bowl this past season after his most productive season as a pro. Williams made his second-straight Pro Bowl and has 33 career sacks.
2024 has been the year of the defensive tackle. Four of the top five highest-paid defensive tackles signed new contracts in the spring, resetting the market for the position.
Javon Hargrave and Christian Barmore, tied at eleventh, are the last players making over $20 million a year.
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 Over the Cap.
- Updated: June 1, 2024
| Rank | Player | Career Sacks | Team | Total Compensation |
| 1 | Chris Jones | 74.5 | Kansas City Chiefs | $31.75 million |
| 2 | Christian Wilkins | 20.5 | Las Vegas Raiders | $27.5 million |
| 3 | Justin Madubuike | 21.5 | Baltimore Ravens | $24.5 million |
| T-4 | Derrick Brown | 8 | Carolina Panthers | $24 million |
| T-4 | Quinnen Williams | 33 | New York Jets | $24 million |
| 6 | Jeffery Simmons | 26.5 | Tennessee Titans | $23.5 million |
| 7 | DeForest Buckner | 61 | Indianapolis Colts | $23 million |
| T-8 | Dexter Lawrence | 21 | New York Giants | $22.5 million |
| T-8 | Daron Payne | 30 | Washington Commanders | $22.5 million |
| 10 | Leonard Williams | 43.5 | Seattle Seahawks | $21.5 million |
| T-11 | Christian Barmore | 12.5 | New England Patriots | $21 million |
| T-11 | Javon Hargrave | 44.5 | San Francisco 49ers | $21 million |
| 13 | Jonathan Allen | 39 | Washington Commanders | $18 million |
| T-14 | Vita Vea | 23.5 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | $17.75 million |
| T-14 | Kenny Clark | 34 | Gren Bay Packers | $17.5 million |
| 16 | Dre’Mont Jones | 26.5 | Seattle Seahawks | $17.17 million |
| 17 | Ed Oliver | 24 | Buffalo Bills | $17 million |
| 18 | Grady Jarrett | 33 | Atlanta Falcons | $16.5 million |
| 19 | Cameron Heyward | 80.5 | Pittsburgh Steelers | $16.4 million |
| 20 | Zach Allen | 11.5 | Denver Broncos | $15.25 million |
| 21 | Arik Armstead | 33.5 | Jacksonville Jaguars | $14.5 million |
| 22 | Dalvin Tomlinson | 16 | Cleveland Browns | $14.25 million |
| 23 | Grover Stewart | 8.5 | Indianapolis Colts | $13 million |
| 24 | Sheldon Rankins | 29.5 | Cincinnati Bengals | $12.25 million |
| 25 | David Onyemata | 27 | Atlanta Falcons | $11.66 million |
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