When professional football first started in the United States, it was a sideline at best. Players received as little as $100 to $300 per game – and teams often traded players for similar amounts of money. On the eve of the 1970 merger, NFL teams played ten-game seasons, and the average salary was about $25,000, or $156,400 in 2024 dollars. By 1978, the average salary had climbed to $62,600, and more players were treating the NFL as a full-time job. That year, the top salary was about $733,400 and was paid to tailback O.J. Simpson, which shows you that the sport was more of a running game, as opposed to the pass-heavy game we see in our own time. Going into the 2024 campaign, as you consider your sports betting on various futures props for the NFL, let’s look at the highest salary by position.
NFL Futures Player Props Preview: Highest Salaries by Position this 2024 Season
Player Props Quarterbacks
At this writing, 20 quarterbacks will make at least $10 million in annual salary going into 2024. The highest-paid quarterback right now is Joe Burrow, who pulls in an average of $55 million annually. Thirteen quarterbacks will make $40 million or more in 2024. However, the league is still waiting for Dak Prescott to sign an extension; all signs are that he wants to pass Burrow in compensation. We will see if the Dallas Cowboys sign him or let him pass into free agency. Behind Burrow is Jared Goff ($53 million per season), just ahead of Justin Herbert ($52.5 million) and Lamar Jackson ($52 million).
Player Props Running Backs
The San Francisco 49ers are getting their money’s worth out of tailback Christian McCaffrey, who has the top average salary at his position at $16.02 million. His current deal is valued at $64 million, with more than $36 million guaranteed. Right behind him is Alvin Kamara ($15 million), and then comes Jonathan Taylor ($14 million). Fourth is Saquon Barkley ($12.6 million), just ahead of Josh Jacobs ($12 million).
Player Props Wide Receivers
As of today, 23 wide receivers will make $15 million or more per season. Eighteen will make at least $20 million, but the highest salary right now belongs to A.J. Brown with an average yearly salary of $32 million. CeeDee Lamb is likely the next wide receiver to get a bank-breaking contract, but as with Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys are playing the waiting game. Amon-Ra St. Brown is second on the list at $30.003 million in average salary, just barely ahead of Tyreek Hill ($30 million). Davante Adams is fourth ($28 million), and Cooper Kupp takes fifth at $26.7 million.
Player Props Tight Ends
Right now, tight ends are on the short end of NFL compensation. A dozen will make at least $10 million per season in 2024 as of now, well behind the tailback and wide receiver groups. Four tight ends are set to make $15 million, and the leader is Travis Kelce ($17.1 million). He’s just ahead of Darren Waller ($17 million). T.J. Hockenson is third with $16.5 million, while George Kittle rakes in $15 million.
Bet On the NFL Futures, Odds and Lines for Players
Player Props Offensive Linemen
This group is getting paid, with 32 O-linemen getting $15 million or more in average yearly salary. A dozen are making $20 million or more. Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions hauls in $28 million per year, making him the highest paid player at this position. Laremy Tunsil of Houston is second ($25 million), followed by the Giants’ Andrew Thomas ($23.5 million) and San Francisco’s Trent Williams ($23.01 million).
Player Props Defensive Linemen
If you’re not a quarterback, then excelling as a D-lineman is a great way to get paid in the NFL. There are 15 of these guys making at least $15 million and 13 making at least $20 million per year. The top salary right now is going to Chris Jones (#31.75 million). Aaron Donald is right behind him at $31.7 million. Christian Wilkins ($27.5 million) is third, and Justin Madubuike is fourth with $24.5 million.
Player Props Linebackers
This position is sort of like the tight end of the defense, as least as far as compensation goes. Nine linebackers have an average salary of at least $10 million right now, with three set to bring in $15 million or more. Roquan Smith ($20 million) is getting the biggest paycheck. Fred Warner ($19 million) and Tremaine Edmunds ($18 million) round out the top three.
Player Props Cornerbacks
Salaries at this position are on the rise, as 17 cornerbacks are set to bring in at least $10 million per season, and eight will make at least $15 million. Jaire Alexander ($21 million) is the highest-paid corner right now, followed by Denzel Ward ($20.1 million) and Jalen Ramsey ($20 million). Rounding out the top five are Marlon Humphrey ($19.5 million) and (in a tie) Trevon Diggs and Marshon Lattimore ($19.4 million).
Player Props Safeties
A dozen safeties are set to bring in $10 million in annual salary, with five making $15 million or more. Antoine Winfield Jr has the biggest check at $21.03 million annually. Derwin James ($19 million) and Minkah Fitzpatrick ($18.2 million) make up the rest of the top three.
Player Props Specialists
Justin Tucker and Jake Elliott ($6 million) share the biggest salary at placekicker. Michael Dickson is the highest-paid punter ($3.68 million). What about long snapper? That honor goes to Luke Rhodes ($1.62 million).
WRs are getting paid this offseason:
— NFL (@NFL) May 30, 2024
💰 Jaylen Waddle (3 year, $84.75M extension)
💰 Nico Collins (3 year, $72.75M extension)
💰 A.J. Brown (3 year, $96M extension)
💰 Amon-Ra St. Brown (4 year, $120M extension)
💰 DeVonta Smith (3 year, $75M extension)
💰 Jerry Jeudy (3 year,…
Live Super Bowl 59 Betting Odds For Today
Bet NFL Football Lines in Xbet Sportsbook
NFL Futures
Love betting NFL football? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NFL lines for Regular Season
