We saw a plethora of players earn huge paydays once free agency opened this past March. Whether it was players signing long-term deals in free agency or being extended to even larger contracts, a whole heck of a lot of cash was thrown around by NFL teams.
We can expect this to continue leading into the 2018 season, during the season itself and when free agency gets going following the year.
Here’s a look at one player from each NFL team set to cash in big time with strong performances this coming season. That includes youngsters with a whole lot to prove and a few veterans who are still waiting for their huge paydays.
Los Angeles Rams: Marcus Peters
Recently acquired from Kansas City, this still young 25-year-old two-time Pro Bowler has an opportunity to earn a whole lot of cash long term by excelling in Wade Phillips defense this coming season. Los Angeles already picked up the 2019 option on Peters’ rookie deal, pretty much guaranteeing him north of $9 million for that season. But with 24 forced turnovers in three seasons, Peters’ importance comes in the form of his ball-hawking skills. Another similar season in 2018 would almost etch in stone a massive long-term extension to make Peters the highest-paid corner in the NFL.
Seattle Seahawks: Duane Brown
If Brown is able to help a previously disastrous Seahawks offensive line overcome talent issues elsewhere this coming season, it will certainly set the former Houston Texans Pro Bowler up with a nice long-term deal once he hits free agency next March. The 32-year-old Brown didn’t do a whole lot to help Seattle’s pass-protection issues in front of Russell Wilson after being acquired during the 2017 season. It’s possible that getting acquainted with new teammates and a completely different blocking scheme played a role in that. Though, if he does indeed turn it around in 2018, Brown is looking at his next (and potentially final) multi-year deal paying him top-five tackle money.
Arizona Cardinals: David Johnson
As a third-round pick, Johnson’s rookie deal was for only four seasons. He didn’t play a huge role in 2015, netting just north of 1,000 yards in a part-time role. Then in 2016, Johnson absolutely dominated a sophomore. That season saw him put up an absurd 2,118 total yards and 20 touchdowns, both NFL highs for a running back. Unfortunately, Johnson would go on to miss all but one game to injury last season. Looking to prove himself among the game’s best backs once again, this Northern Iowa product could cash in big time should he excel upon returning from injury. At the very least, a solid 2018 campaign would likely force Arizona to place the franchise tag on Johnson in 2019, guaranteeing him what will likely be north of $15 million.
San Francisco 49ers: DeForest Buckner
Buckner is already being recognized as one of the best defensive linemen in the entire league. Last season saw the freakish 6-foot-7 300-pound monster lead the NFL with 19 quarterback hits. Just recently, NFL Media’s Shaun O’Hara ranked Buckner as the sixth-best player at his position, ahead of Ndamukong Suh. Ultimately, the consistent pressure Buckner puts on quarterbacks will result in a huge number of sacks. With a breakout season in 2018, it would not be an absolute shock to see Buckner sign one of the richest contracts for a player at his position. Something to the tune of the $102.6 million deal Fletcher Cox signed with Philadelphia could make sense here.
Kansas City Chiefs: Tyreek Hill
Much like David Johnson, Hill’s status as a mid-round pick could actually be beneficial to him moving forward. The electric receiver from South Alabama has just two more seasons remaining on his rookie deal. Following a 2017 campaign that saw him put up 75 receptions for 1,181 yards, Hill has already proven himself to be a capable No. 1 receiver. That was the potential knock on him as a 5-foot-10 “athlete” heading into the 2017 NFL Draft. Now, with Patrick Mahomes under center, look for Hill’s production to increase even more. Heck, we can expect a continuation of these awe-inspiring plays (watch here and here). If so, the Chiefs would be pretty darn smart to lock Hill up following the 2018 campaign.
Los Angeles Chargers: Melvin Gordon
After struggling big time as a rookie back in 2015, Gordon has dominated in the backfield for the Chargers over the past two seasons. During that span, the former first-round pick has put up 2,997 total yards and 24 touchdowns. Those are some outrageous numbers given that some had concluded Gordon was a bust after his initial campaign. As a first-round pick, the Chargers will have to make a decision after this coming season. They’ve already picked up the $5.61 million option for the final year of his deal in 2019. Another splendid performance this fall would pretty much force the Chargers to make Gordon one of the five highest-paid running backs in the game.
Oakland Raiders: Martavis Bryant
Oakland didn’t simply take a chance on this former Pittsburgh Steelers castoff. By sending a third-round pick to Pittsburgh for Bryant during April’s draft, the Raiders have made it clear that they expect a lot out of his highly divisive but talented pass catcher. And for good reason. Bryant put up a combined 14 touchdowns and north of 17 yards per catch in his first two seasons prior to being suspended for the entire 2016 campaign. He has the talent and size (6-foot-4) to dominate at this level. Still just 26 year old, Bryant enters his contract year with an opportunity to cash in big time once free agency starts next March. It’s now up to him to be more consistent and show a higher level of maturity.
Denver Broncos: Shane Ray
By virtue of seeing Denver decline the option on the final year of Ray’s rookie deal, he enters the 2018 campaign needing to prove himself all over again. A first-round pick back in 2015, Ray recorded a combined 12 sacks in his first two NFL seasons. At that point, those within the Broncos’ organization figured he was prepared to take over DeMarcus Ware’s role as a top-end pass rusher next to Von Miller. It didn’t happen. Ray tallied a single sack in an injury-plagued 2017 season that saw him miss eight games. Now that Denver exhausted a top-five pick on Bradley Chubb, one has to wonder where Ray fits in. There’s a chance he’ll be traded and given an opportunity to excel somewhere else. Either way, 2018 is a boom-or-bust year for the Missouri product.
Philadelphia Eagles: Nelson Agholor
Following a breakout 2018 campaign for this former fist-round pick, the defending champs decided to pick up the final year on Agholor’s rookie deal. It will call for him to make a cool $9.4 million in 2019 before hitting free agency. That’s obviously dependent on Philadelphia opting not to sign the USC product to a long-term extension. Agholor put up more receptions (62), receiving yards (768) and touchdowns (eight) last season than he did in his first two years combined. He seems to have found a nice rapport with Carson Wentz. If that continues into 2018, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Philly extend him rather quickly.
Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott
Now that Prescott is mere months away from being eligible to receive an extension, rumors about that happening have heated up. In fact, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has openly discussed potentially paying Prescott elite quarterback money. Earning an average salary of $680,848, Prescott is currently one of the most underpaid players in the NFL. That’s what happens when you jump on to the scene with an amazing rookie campaign after being selected in the fourth round. While Prescott did take a step back as a sophomore last season, he’s still averaging 3,500 passing yards with 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his first two seasons. Progression in 2018 will likely lead to him receiving a Jimmy Garoppolo like deal.
Washington Redskins: Jamison Crowder
The most underrated player on his team, Crowder will have an opportunity to put up some huge numbers with Alex Smith tossing him the rock this coming season. The Duke product excels in short-area speed and can get open in the beat of a heart underneath. For a quarterback that relies on the intermediate passing game, Crowder will be highly targeted. Crowder is averaging 64 receptions for 747 yards over his first three seasons, catching north of 70 percent of his targets in the process. An impending free agent, he can earn an absolutely huge payday with a breakout 2018 performance.
New York Giants: Odell Beckham Jr.
If you ask OBJ, he should have already been extended. It’s been a long, drawn out process for both the embattled receiver and his team. What we do know is that the Giants did entertain the possibility of trading their best player earlier in the offseason. Nothing came to fruition on that end. Either New York is going to have to make Beckham the highest-paid receiver in the NFL here soon or he will in fact be playing for another team. Prior to missing all but four games last season to an ankle injury, OBJ started his career at a record pace. From 2014-16, he put up a combined 288 receptions for 4,122 yards and 35 touchdowns. Set to earn $8.5 million in the final year of his deal, a rebound performance in 2018 would set OBJ up nicely to get paid big time moving forward.
New England Patriots: Trey Flowers
Set to become a free agent following the 2018 campaign, this former fourth-round pick has a lot to prove to both the Patriots and other teams that could chase after his services. He’s led New England in sacks in each of the past two seasons, putting up a combined 13.5 during that span. If the Arkansas product is somehow able to progress and put up double-digit sacks in 2018, he’ll be among the most-coveted free agent pass rushers on the market come next March.
Buffalo Bills: A.J. McCarron
Unless rookie No. 7 pick Josh Allen somehow morphs from inaccurate project to a starter-caliber quarterback this summer, McCarron will be under center for the talent-depleted Bills come Week 1. Signing a two-year, $10 million deal with Buffalo wasn’t what the Alabama product had envisioned when he won the right to become a free agent. But this was the team that offered him the best opportunity to start. A hot commodity on the trade market (ask Cleveland) over the past couple years, McCarron has an opportunity to eventually land a more lucrative long-term deal. This chance is now. He better not blow it.
Miami Dolphins: Laremy Tunsil
Tunsil entered the NFL with a ton of fanfare back in 2016. Most had him pegged as a top-five pick before a video surfaced on draft day depicting him smoking marijuana years earlier. Tunsil ultimately fell to Miami with the 13th selection. Since then, the still young 23-year-old left tackle has more than proven himself to be a franchise cornerstone. He started all 15 games in which he appeared at the blindside last season, helping Dolphins quarterback go down just 33 times in the process. With a solid 2018 showing, Tunsil will pretty much force Miami to both pick up the 2020 option on his rookie deal and think about offering him top-five left tackle money ($12-plus million annually).
New York Jets: Leonard Williams
The last one standing. It was just a couple short years ago that New York had three legit Pro Bowl caliber defensive linemen in Williams, Sheldon Richardson and Mo Wilkerson. It’s now down to one, with the team anticipating Williams to be the cornerstone of its defensive front seven for years to come. The former top-six pick from USC has certainly done his part, acting as a top-end run stuffer and someone who can get to the quarterback on a consistent basis. He followed a seven-sack Pro Bowl 2016 season up with a lesser-quality 2017 campaign. But the talent is there for Williams to excel moving forward. Should he do that, expect an extension sometime next spring. For now, the Jets have already picked up Williams’ $14.2 million option for the 2019 season.
Minnesota Vikings: Stefon Diggs
Having signed fellow star receiver Adam Thielen to a four-year contract extension in March of 2017, the Vikings are now going to be forced to pay Diggs what will likely be No. 1 wide receiver money. A mere fifth-round pick out of Maryland back in 2015, Diggs has caught a combined 148 passes for 1,752 yards and 11 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He’s also hauled in a robust 65 percent of his targets during that span. This type of production has not gone unnoticed within the Vikings’ organization. And should Diggs break out even more with Kirk Cousins under center next season, he’ll be paid handsomely for it.
Green Bay Packers: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
While the Packers’ secondary has struggled mightily over the past couple seasons, this former first-round pick from Alabama continues to prove himself to be among the best safeties in the game. Last season saw Clinton-Dix tally 79 tackles, six passes defended and three interceptions. That came following a Pro Bowl performance back in 2016. With the Packers having already picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal for 2018, Clinton-Dix will be a free agent next March. That’s if he’s not extended before then.
Detroit Lions: Ezekiel Ansah
Ansah already signed the $17.1 million franchise tag tender Detroit handed him this past March. That makes him among the game’s highest-paid EDGE rushers. But the former Pro Bowler is looking to cash in on a long-term deal at some point here soon. He’s coming off a 12-sack performance for the Lions and just recently hit the prime of his career. With another stellar showing in 2018, Ansah will cash in big time. Whether its with the Lions or another team remains to be seen.
Chicago Bears: Leonard Floyd
Talented young EDGE rushers like Floyd don’t hit the market too often. This could very well be the case with Floyd, who has not yet seen the fifth-year option on his rookie deal picked up by the Bears. At just 25 years old, Floyd has racked up 11.5 sacks in his first two NFL seasons. He should continue to excel in Vic Fangio’s defense this coming season. If so, the Bears would be smart to lock the former first-round pick up on a long-term deal.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Le’Veon Bell
Bell is already set to be paid a handsome amount after Pittsburgh handed him the franchise tag tender back in March. That’s going to pay the All-Pro performer a whopping $14.54 million in 2018. It’s an average of $6-plus million than any other running back in the NFL. Though, Bell is also now in line to completely reset the long-term running back market as we know it. Here’s a guy that’s put up north of 3,800 total yards with 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons. A similar performance in 2018, and Bell is looking at a long-term deal valued at well north of $15 million annually. Whether that comes from Pittsburgh remains to be seen.
Baltimore Ravens: John Brown
Following an injury-plagued and unproductive season for the Arizona Cardinals, this former 1,000-yard receiver signed a one-year, $5 million prove-it deal with Baltimore. He’ll now be given an opportunity to start opposite fellow recent addition Michael Crabtree. It could very well lead to the still young 28-year-old pass catcher putting up a career-best season en route to cashing in big time next March. Remember, Brown is two seasons removed from putting up 65 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s proven to be productive in the past when healthy.
Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Eifert
Speaking of having something to prove, this former first-round pick has played in a grand total of 10 games over the past two seasons after jumping on to the scene with a 13-touchdown performance back in 2015. These injuries forced Eifert to sign a one-year, $5.5 million deal to remain in Cincinnati during a free agency period that would have otherwise showed him to be a hot commodity. Should Eifert prove himself to be healthy and repeat the dominating performance we saw in 2015, he’ll earn a huge payday once free agency comes calling next March. That’s a given.
Cleveland Browns: Josh Gordon
Gordon was hoping to become a restricted free agent this offseason after returning to the field following a two-year absence from the NFL due to multiple violations of the league’s substance abuse policy. Having played in just five games, he didn’t accrue the necessary time. Instead, Gordon was forced to sign a one-year, $790,000 exclusive rights deal to remain in Cleveland. If Gordon is able to continue proving himself to be clean off the field, his on-field talent suggests the 27-year-old pass catcher will earn a huge deal on the restricted free agent market in March of 2019. Gordon put up 335 yards in five games last season and led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,646 back in 2013. He’s an extraordinary talent.
New Orleans Saints: Michael Thomas
Unlike other receivers that came before him in New Orleans, Thomas is in no way a product of Drew Brees’ excellence and Sean Payton’s offensive scheme. He’s legitimately one of the primary reasons this unit remains one of the most daunting in the NFL. Over the course of his first two seasons with the Saints, this former Ohio State standout has recorded 198 receptions for 2,382 yards while boasting an insane 76.8 catch percentage. A second-round pick, Thomas has only two years remaining on his rookie deal. With another strong showing in 2018, there’s no reason to believe the Saints won’t offer their No. 1 receiver a huge long-term extension next offseason.
Carolina Panthers: James Bradberry
Bradberry is now the face of Carolina’s secondary after just two seasons with the team. A second-round pick out of Arkansas State back in 2016, the physical 6-foot-1 corner is coming off a 2017 campaign in which he recorded 85 tackles, 10 passes defended and two interceptions. In the same draft class as the above-mentioned Michael Thomas, the Panthers would be smart to secure a long-term deal with Bradberry once he becomes eligible for one after this coming season.
Atlanta Falcons: Vic Beasley
Despite a down 2017 season, Atlanta exercised the fifth-year option on Beasley’s rookie contract for the 2019 campaign. Though, that’s guaranteed for injury only. An All-Pro performer back in 2016, Beasley saw his sack numbers drop from 15.5 to five. He must have a productive performance this coming season in order for Atlanta to justify handing the former top-10 pick a long-term deal that would make him among the game’s highest-paid EDGE rushers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Donovan Smith
Smith entered the NFL without much fanfare as a second-round pick from Penn State back in 2015. Since then, he’s turned into a quality left tackle in front of of Jameis Winston. In fact, Smith has started all 16 games at that position during his three-year career. He’s steadily improved each season and now has to be considered a potential franchise blindside protector. Set to become a free agent following the 2018 campaign, a solid performance this coming season would earn Smith top-five left tackle money. That’s a whole lot of cash.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Dante Fowler Jr.
With the Jags having decided against picking up the fifth-year option on Fowler’s rookie contract, he’ll hit the free agent market next March. Still with a whole lot to prove, this talented former Florida standout is coming off a 2017 campaign that saw him put up eight sacks in a part-time role. He now needs to prove himself capable of taking on a larger role while remaining healthy after missing his entire rookie season with a knee injury. Should that happen, Fowler will be highly sought-after free agent next March.
Tennessee Titans: Kevin Byard
Already an All-Pro performer after just two seasons, this former third-round pick from Middle Tennessee State should cash in on a long-term extension following the 2018 campaign. It’s all about Byard showing himself to be consistently good, not just a flash in the pan. After all, the 24-year-old safety recorded an NFL-best eight interceptions last season. Even if he doesn’t match that number in 2018, the safety does a lot of other things well. He’s a true cover guy in the back end of the defense. In today’s NFL, that’s a big deal.
Houston Texans: Tyrann Mathieu
After a surprising release from the Arizona Cardinals, Honey Badger decided to bet on himself. Turning down lucrative long-term deals, this former All-Pro performer settled on a one-year deal with $6.5 million guaranteed. Sure Mathieu has had his injury issues over the past two seasons. But he’s also just a couple years removed from putting up 89 tackles and five interceptions. Still only 26 years old, Mathieu has an opportunity to put up a huge 2018 season behind Houston’s elite-level pass rush.
Indianapolis Colts: Jack Mewhort
Here’s another guy that had to settle on a small one-year deal due to recent injury issues. A second-round pick out of Ohio State back in 2014, Mewhort started all 40 games in which he appeared in his first thee NFL seasons. He then missed all but five games last year. Already a proven guard, it will be interesting to see how the Colts plan to use him this coming season. But there’s no reason to believe Mewhort won’t start. If so, he’ll have an opportunity to earn a nice paycheck.