Re: The numbers don't back that...

I know how you view the DT position. That’s fine; I respect that. I don’t think NFL powers that be view it the same way.

Great left tackles may be hard to come by but that doesn’t negate the fact that DTs are the 3rd highest paid position. You look at the first two highest paid positions of QB and DE and it’s obvious why. Clearly NFL GMs value QBs and DEs as they should. But now you’re trying to tell me that they don’t value DTs the 3rd highest but for some reason choose to pay them at that level anyway? That doesn’t pass the smell test.

Moreover, economics 101 disproves your theory. The first law of economics is supply and demand. When something is in great supply, the price and value of it will increase. If DTs are sooooo easy to find, then the supply is plentiful. That would have a downward effect on their salaries. But the reality is, their salaries are much higher than LTs. This means that either they are not much easier to find (not in greater supply) OR the demand for them is much higher than it is for LTs.

You mention trends. I believe the modern trend of high powered offenses is why the DT position is so highly paid now. The NFL is desperate for pass rushers. Other than QB, people who rush the passer are considered the most valuable commodity in the game.

And FWIW, here’s the answer to your question of number of Pro Bowl LTs on new contracts versus Pro Bowl DTs. It’s even.

LT Pro Bowlers, Under 30, Recent Contracts

Trent Williams – $13.6 mil.
Russell Okung – $13.25 mil.
Terron Armstead – $13 mil.
Tyron Smith – $12.2 mil.
David Bakhtiari –$12 mil. – Pro Bowl and All Pro in 2016

Average: $12.81 mil.

All of these LTs are pro bowlers, under 30, and have all signed contracts in the last few years. I left Joe Thomas, Andrew Whitworth, Jason Peters, Branden Albert, Duane Brown, and Joe Staley off the list because they are over 30 and past their prime. The contracts they recently signed reflect that.

DT Pro Bowlers, Under 30, Recent Contracts

Ndamukong Suh - $19.0625 mil.
Fletcher Cox - $17.1 mil.
Kawann Short - $16.1 mil.
Marcell Dareus - $16.095686 mil.
Gerald McCoy - $15.866667 mil.

Average: $16.84 mil.

All of these DTs are pro bowlers, under 30, and have all signed contracts in the last few years. I left Haloti Ngata and Kyle Williams off the list because they are over 30 and past their prime. I left Geno Atkins and Linval Joseph off the list because they have not signed recent contracts.


You have 5 pro bowl LTs with new contracts versus 5 pro bowl DTs with new contracts. The number of new contracts doesn't favor the DTs at all. And yet the DT salaries are nearly 33% higher. That’s a huge difference.