For this list, Sporting News will stick with average annual salary as the determining factor in ranking the NFL’s highest-paid defensive players. Thanks to our friends over at Overthecap.com for the contract figures.

NFL’s highest-paid defenders

  1. Everson Griffen, DE, Vikings

Average annual salary: $14.5 million Guaranteed: $34 million

  1. Trumaine Johnson, CB, Jets

Average annual salary: $14.5 million Guaranteed: $45 million

  1. Calais Campbell, DE, Jaguars

Average annual salary: $15 million Guaranteed: $30 million

  1. Josh Norman, CB, Redskins

Average annual salary: $15 million Guaranteed: $50 million

  1. Xavien Howard, CB, Dolphins

Average annual salary: $15.05 million Guaranteed: $39.3 million

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  1. Jurrell Casey, DT, Titans

Average annual salary: $15.1 million Guaranteed: $40 million

  1. Grady Jarrett, DE, Dolphins

Average annual salary: $15.2 million Guaranteed: $15.2 million

  1. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, Vikings

Average annual salary: $15.5 million Guaranteed: $40 million

  1. Jadeevon Clowney, DE, Texans

Average annual salary: $15.967 million Guaranteed: $15.967 million

  1. Melvin Ingram, DE, Chargers

Average annual salary: $16 million Guaranteed: $34 million

  1. Kawaan Short, DT, Panthers

Average annual salary: $16.1 million Guaranteed: $35 million

  1. Geno Atkins, DT, Bengals

Average annual salary: $16.3 million Guaranteed: $25 million

  1. Za’Darius Smith, OLB, Packers

Average annual salary: $16.5 million Guaranteed: $20 million

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  1. Chandler Jones, DE, Cardinals

Average annual salary: $16.5 million Guaranteed: $51 million

  1. J.J. Watt, DE, Texans

Average annual salary: $16.667 million Guaranteed: $51.876 million

  1. C.J. Mosley, ILB, Jets

Average annual salary: $17 million Guaranteed: $51 million

  1. Olivier Vernon, OLB, Browns

Average annual salary: $17 million Guaranteed: $52. million

  1. Fletcher Cox, DT, Eagles

Average annual salary: $17.1 million Guaranteed: $63.299 million

  1. Dee Ford, DE, 49ers

Average annual salary: $17.1 million Guaranteed: $33.35 million

  1. Trey Flowers, DE, Lions

Average annual salary: $18 million Guaranteed: $56 million

  1. Von Miller, OLB, Broncos

Average annual salary: $19 million Guaranteed: $70 million

  1. Frank Clark, DE, Chiefs

Average annual salary: $20.8 million Guaranteed: $62.3 million

  1. Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Cowboys

Average annual salary: $21 million Guaranteed: $65 million

  1. Aaron Donald, DT, Rams

Average annual salary: $22.5 million Guaranteed: $87 million

  1. Khalil Mack, DE, Bears

Average annual salary: $23.5 million Guaranteed: $90 million