Derrick Henry, Aaron Donald and 48 More Of The Highest-Paid NFL Players Who Aren’t Quarterbacks

Ask even the most casual observer of football who the most important player on the team is and you'll get the same answer: quarterback. However, ask them to rattle off the next one and you'll suddenly find wildly divergent opinions. A workhorse running back? A sure-handed receiver? A defensive end to get at the opponent's quarterback? Or a left tackle to protect your own?

Find Out: The 25 Richest NFL Team Owners
Learn More: 27 Richest No. 1 NFL Draft Picks

Aside from the quarterback, there's no consensus on which position is the most essential. The right player at the right position can make or break a game, but depending on the game, that can be just about any position.

There is, however, one way to get a good measure as to just how valuable a player is to his team. Player salaries in today's NFL are determined after hundreds of hours of careful scouting and statistical analysis, and those getting paid the biggest bucks are game-changers at a team's position of need.

Whoa: The Biggest Bargain on Every NFL Roster
Making Bank: Which NFL Hall of Famer Has the Highest Net Worth?

To better illustrate this, GOBankingRates compiled the 50 highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL. By perusing which positions pop up the most often, you can also get a better sense of the ones that matter the most to the people making decisions for NFL teams.

Check out which non-quarterbacks are making the most. 

Last updated: Sep. 14, 2021

Frank Clark

• Team: Kansas City Chiefs
• Position: Defensive end
• 2021 Base Salary: $18,500,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $5,200,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $2,100,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $25,800,000

Check Out: How Much Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Other QBs Make Per Career TD Thrown

DeMarcus Lawrence

• Team: Dallas Cowboys
• Position: Defensive end
• 2021 Base Salary: $17,000,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $5,000,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $3,000,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $25,000,000

Ouch: 13 NFL Players Who Lost Millions

Fletcher Cox

• Team: Philadelphia Eagles
• Position: Defensive tackle
• 2021 Base Salary: $15,000,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: N/A
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $1,000,000
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $7,880,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $23,880,000

So Rich: Here’s How Rich Every NFL Team Is

Von Miller

• Team: Denver Broncos
• Position: Outside linebacker
• 2021 Base Salary: $17,500,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: N/A
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $4,725,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $22,225,000

Money Smart: The 5 Best NFL Players When It Comes to Money

Amari Cooper

• Team: Dallas Cowboys
• Position: WR
• 2021 Base Salary: $20,000,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $2,000,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $22,000,000

Chandler Jones

• Team: Arizona Cardinals
• Position: Outside linebacker
• 2021 Base Salary: $15,500,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $3,000,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $2,333,334 

2021 Cap Hit: $20,833,334

Grady Jarrett

• Team: Atlanta Falcons
• Position: Defensive tackle
• 2021 Base Salary: $13,500,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $4,500,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $2,833,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $20,833,000

Joey Bosa

• Team: Los Angeles Chargers
• Position: Defensive end
• 2021 Base Salary: $13,750,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $7,000,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $20,750,000

Trey Flowers

• Team: Detroit Lions
• Position: Defensive end
• 2021 Base Salary: $14,375,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $5,614,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $19,989,000

D.J. Humphries

• Team: Arizona Cardinals
• Position: Left tackle
• 2021 Base Salary: $15,100,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $800,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $500,000
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $3,530,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $19,930,000

Tyrann Mathieu

• Team: Kansas City Chiefs
• Position: Free safety
• 2021 Base Salary: $14,550,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $4,933,334
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $250,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $19,733,334

Brandon Scherff

• Team: Washington Football Team
• Position: Guard
• 2021 Base Salary: $18,036,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: N/A
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $18,036,000

Allen Robinson

• Team: Chicago Bears
• Position: Wide receiver
• 2021 Base Salary: $17,880,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: N/A
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $100,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $17,980,000

Bobby Wagner

• Team: Seattle Seahawks
• Position: Inside linebacker
• 2021 Base Salary: $13,150,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $3,750,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $235,294
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $17,135,294

DeForest Buckner

• Team: Indianapolis Colts
• Position: Defensive tackle
• 2021 Base Salary: $1,000,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: N/A
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $16,000,000
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $17,000,000

Landon Collins

• Team: Washington Football Team
• Position: Strong safety
• 2021 Base Salary: $12,500,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $3,000,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $218,750
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $1,200,000

2021 Cap Hit: $16,918,750

Davante Adams

• Team: Green Bay Packers
• Position: Wide receiver
• 2021 Base Salary: $12,250,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $3,600,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $437,500
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $500,000

 2021 Cap Hit: $16,787,500

Mike Evans

• Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Position: Wide receiver
• 2021 Base Salary: $12,250,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: N/A
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $4,387,500

 2021 Cap Hit: $16,637,500

Stephon Gilmore

• Team: New England Patriots
• Position: CB
• 2021 Base Salary: $7,000,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $3,600,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $735,286
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $4,930,309 

2021 Cap Hit: $16,100,000

Byron Jones

• Team: Miami Dolphins
• Position: Cornerback
• 2021 Base Salary: $14,000,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $2,100,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A

2021 Cap Hit: $16,100,000

Chris Godwin

• Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Position: Wide receiver
• 2021 Base Salary: $15,983,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: N/A
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $15,983,000

Tyreek Hill

• Team: Kansas City Chiefs
• Position: Wide receiver
• 2021 Base Salary: $990,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $1,450,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $11,885,500
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $1,525,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $15,850,500

Trae Waynes

• Team: Cincinnati Bengals
• Position: Cornerback
• 2021 Base Salary: $8,400,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $5,000,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $2,000,000
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $400,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $15,800,000

Odell Beckham Jr.

• Team: Cleveland Browns
• Position: Wide receiver
• 2021 Base Salary: $14,500,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: N/A
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $1,000,000
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $250,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $15,750,000

Keenan Allen

• Team: Los Angeles Chargers
• Position: Wide receiver
• 2021 Base Salary: $13,000,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $2,700,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A

2021 Cap Hit: $15,700,000

Mike Williams

• Team: Los Angeles Chargers
• Position: Wide receiver
• 2021 Base Salary: $15,680,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: N/A
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A

2021 Cap Hit: $15,680,000

Joe Haden

• Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
• Position: Cornerback
• 2021 Base Salary: $7,000,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $5,600,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $2,975,000

2021 Cap Hit: $15,575,000

Julio Jones

• Team: Tennessee Titans
• Position: Wide receiver
• 2021 Base Salary: $15,300,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: N/A
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A

 2021 Cap Hit: $15,300,000

Ronnie Stanley

• Team: Baltimore Ravens
• Position: Tackle
• 2021 Base Salary: $7,500,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $4,500,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $3,250,000

 2021 Cap Hit: $15,250,000

Xavien Howard

• Team: Miami Dolphins
• Position: Cornerback
• 2021 Base Salary: $12,075,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $1,400,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $710,294
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $1,000,000

2021 Cap Hit: $15,185,294

Kevin Byard

• Team: Tennessee Titans
• Position: Free safety
• 2021 Base Salary: $11,200,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $1,800,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $500,000
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $1,538,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $15,038,000

Andrew Norwell

• Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
• Position: Guard
• 2021 Base Salary: $12,000,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $3,000,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A

2021 Cap Hit: $15,000,000

Jarvis Landry

• Team: Cleveland Browns
• Position: Wide receiver
• 2021 Base Salary: $12,500,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $1,500,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $661,765
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $50,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $14,711,765

Robert Quinn

• Team: Chicago Bears
• Position: Outside linebacker
• 2021 Base Salary: $11,500,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $3,100,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $100,000
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $14,700,000

Ryan Kelly

• Team: Indianapolis Colts
• Position: Cornerback
• 2021 Base Salary: $10,000,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: N/A
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $4,650,000
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $14,650,000

Khalil Mack

• Team: Chicago Bears
• Position: Outside linebacker
• 2021 Base Salary: $2,046,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $6,800,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $5,800,000

 2021 Cap Hit: $14,646,000

Aaron Donald

• Team: Los Angeles Rams
• Position: Defensive tackle
• 2021 Base Salary: $1,892,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $8,000,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $4,500,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $14,392,000

Carl Lawson

• Team: New York Jets
• Position: Defensive end
• 2021 Base Salary: $6,200,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $333,333
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $7,800,000
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $14,333,333

Za'Darius Smith

• Team: Green Bay Packers
• Position: Outside linebacker
• 2021 Base Salary: $990,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $5,000,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $8,130,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $14,120,000

Cam Robinson

• Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
• Position: Left tackle
• 2021 Base Salary: $13,754,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: N/A
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $13,754,000

D.J. Reader

• Team: Cincinnati Bengals
• Position: Defensive tackle
• 2021 Base Salary: $4,300,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $4,062,500
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $5,000,000
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $200,000

2021 Cap Hit: $13,562,500

Derrick Henry

• Team: Tennessee Titans
• Position: Running back
• 2021 Base Salary: $10,500,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $3,000,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $13,500,000

Kolton Miller

• Team: Las Vegas Raiders
• Position: Left tackle
• 2021 Base Salary: $9,500,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $1,969,333
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $2,000,000
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $13,469,333

Taylor Lewan

• Team: Tennessee Titans
• Position: Left tackle
• 2021 Base Salary: $11,600,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $1,793,971
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $13,393,971

Danielle Hunter

• Team: Minnesota Vikings
• Position: Defensive end
• 2021 Base Salary: $7,150,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $300,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $3,220,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $13,370,000

Duane Brown

• Team: Seattle Seahawks
• Position: Left tackle
• 2021 Base Salary: $10,000,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $2,000,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: $941,176
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $350,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $13,291,176

James Bradberry

• Team: New York Giants
• Position: Cornerback
• 2021 Base Salary: $5,900,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $3,000,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $4,100,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $13,250,000

Kendall Fuller

• Team: Washington Football Team
• Position: Cornerback
• 2021 Base Salary: $10,000,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $3,125,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $13,125,000

Jack Conklin

• Team: Cleveland Browns
• Position: Right tackle
• 2021 Base Salary: $10,000,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $3,000,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $13,000,000

Yannick Ngakoue

• Team: Las Vegas Raiders
• Position: Defensive end
• 2021 Base Salary: $13,000,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: N/A
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: N/A 

2021 Cap Hit: $13,000,000

Calais Campbell

• Team: Baltimore Ravens
• Position: Defensive end
• 2021 Base Salary: $2,000,000
• 2021 Signing Bonus Pay: $5,000,000
• 2021 Roster Bonus: N/A
• 2021 Miscellaneous Pay: $6,000,000 

2021 Cap Hit: $13,000,000

More From GOBankingRates

• 101 Easy Ways To Save Money Daily
• Can You Afford Education in America at These Prices?
• 5 Bulk Food Items You Need To Be Buying at Costco This Fall
• The Hidden Costs of Education at Every Level

Joel Anderson contributed to the reporting for this article. 

Methodology: In order to determine the 50 highest-paid NFL players who aren't quarterbacks, GOBankingRates used Spotrac's NFL salary rankings took the 50 players with the highest cap hit for the 2021 season and ranked them from highest to lowest total cap hit. For the top 50 highest paid non-quarterbacks GOBankingRates also found (where applicable) each players 2021 base salary, 2021 signing bonuses, 2021 roster bonuses, and 2021 miscellaneous pay including restructuring, contract incentives, and workout bonuses. All data was collected and is up to date as of August 30, 2021.

Photo Note: All images are for representational purposes only and may not represent the player's current team.