2020 NFL All-Money Team: Highest Paid Players in the NFL

Defensive Line

The defensive line is considered the most valuable position group on the defensive side of the football. An excellent pass rusher can disrupt a quarterback several times a game – enough to stall offensive possessions and put teams behind the sticks. Because of that, the numbers that you will see in this position group are larger than almost anywhere else on the field.

Defensive Ends: Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers ($27M per year average); Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns ($25M per year average)

Joey Bosa and Myles Garrett were separated by one draft class. Bosa was the third overall pick to the then-San Diego Chargers in 2016, Garrett the first overall pick to the Cleveland Browns in 2017. Both have been incredible pass rushers and dominant game changers at the next level.

Bosa is a speed rusher with this incredible bend in his rare 6-foot-5 and 280-pound frame. Garrett is more of a technique/power rusher who can use speed to get upfield. Both are threats to the quarterback on every play of every game and are routinely game-planned against. They still find ways to impact the game.

Defensive Tackles: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams ($22.5M per year); DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts (21M per year average)

There was an argument on Twitter between all sorts of fans and analysts about whether Aaron Donald was really good. This is an absurd conversation. Aaron Donald is one of the best defensive tackles that the league has ever seen, winning the Defensive Player of the Year in both 2017 and 2018. Donald is smaller than most defensive tackles (6-foot-1 and 280-pounds) but uses his excellent hand technique and flashy burst to break the offensive lineman and penetrate the play on both passes and runs.

DeForest Buckner is the complete opposite spectrum of defensive tackles. He’s a monster, standing 6-foot-7 and 300-pounds. Buckner wins with brute power and strength and has the ability to get his large frame lower than the lineman he is up against. Low man wins, and Buckner does it on a consistent basis.