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The value of each NFL position is an often debated topic, and the dialogue has changed over the history of the league. Once upon a time, running backs were the stars of NFL franchises, and run-stopping linebackers and defensive linemen were viewed as premium players. However, today's pass-happy offenses have changed the pecking order of the most valuable building blocks to a 53-man roster.
In each NFL Draft cycle, teams reach on players in the first round at non-premium positions. First-round running backs have gotten most of the heat, and fairly so. That said, not all running back skill sets are created equal, so context matters. Backs like Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara are extensions of their team's passing game, so their value is obviously more profound than the average NFL back. Likewise, Travis Kelce's effect on winning cannot be understated, but that doesn't mean teams should be chasing tight ends with early draft picks or high-dollar contracts.
Without further ado, let's rank the most valuable positions in the NFL considering the play style of the modern game.
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17. Long Snapper
Highest Contract Value: $6.47 million - Luke Rhodes, Colts
Every NFL team needs a long snapper, and an injury to the position can cause serious issues for a special teams unit. It's also a great job to have that often comes with a six-figure salary. That said, it's still the least important position in football.
16. Fullback
Highest Contract Value: $27 million - Kyle Juszczyk, 49ers
When the run game dominated the NFL, fullbacks were fun to watch and important. There are still a few key fullbacks like Patrick Ricard and Kyle Juszczyk, but only about half of the NFL utilizes the position at all, while even fewer teams feature one.
2022 NFL Draft Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, is in for the 49ers in relief of Jimmy Garoppolo. Here's his first NFL touchdown pass, a short pass to Kyle Juszczyk. pic.twitter.com/m4Xi6ShnwO
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 4, 2022
15. Punter
Highest Contract Value: $14.7 million - Michael Dickson, Seahawks
Having a great punter can help a defense mightily. Backing up opposing offenses near their goal line is an underlooked and underrated aspect of any Sunday contest. It's impressive to see how powerful the legs of modern NFL punters have become, but ultimately, the position can only change a game so much compared to others.
14. Kicker
Highest Contract Value: $24.25 million - Younghoe Koo, Falcons
To be fair to kickers, they have one of the toughest and most stressful roles on a team. After 59-plus minutes of hard-fought football, they're often called upon to deliver game-winning field goals in the final seconds of a game. When they deliver, the credit is given to the quarterback or offenses that got them in position.
When they miss a crucial kick, they're seemingly solely blamed for the loss. Elite studs like Justin Tucker make it look easy and having a clutch kicker is invaluable. However, most would agree there are more valuable positions.
.@jtuck9 is like that 🥶️
TBT to this @Ravens record-breaking game winner pic.twitter.com/GM295SG9r4
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) June 22, 2023
13. Safety
Highest Contract Value: $76.53 million - Derwin James, Chargers
There are a few NFL safeties who make big differences in the back end of a defense, but in-the-box safeties have seen a value reduction similar to that of running backs. Having a ball-hawking safety in the center of the field can help cover up lackluster cornerback play, but it's a much bigger advantage to have lockdown corners and suspect safeties.
12. Running Back
Highest Contract Value: $75 million - Alvin Kamara, Saints
When the topic of positional importance comes up, running backs are the most hotly debated topic. As mentioned earlier, the receiving chops of Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara make them more valuable to an offense than an average NFL back.
However, rushing production is often deeply dependent on offensive line play and offensive schemes. Sure, some backs are better at breaking tackles or eluding defenders, but we've come to learn that a strong offensive line positively affects winning more than high-end running backs.
The running game is still somewhat important, but efficiency matters more than compiling league-leading rushing stats. The Super Bowl winner hasn't featured a star running back since the 2013 Seattle Seahawks with Marshawn Lynch.
In today's NFL, most teams are opting to save money at the position and have a group of ball carriers share the load for their offenses. As the game has progressed to be pass happier than ever, quarterbacks, wide receivers, and even tight ends have become more valuable. Longevity is a key negative here.
That Alvin Kamara balance is different 🤯#LVvsNO | 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/HeErDzhsWr
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 30, 2022
11. Tight End
Highest Contract Value: $75 million - George Kittle, 49ers
Just a decade ago, someone arguing for tight ends being more valuable than running backs would have made someone call you crazy. In 2024, that's the case. While low and mid-level tight ends still aren't crucially valuable, there has never been more tight end talent in the NFL than right now.
Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Sam LaPorta, T.J. Hockenson, Mark Andrews, and others are key pieces in their team's passing games. No longer do tight ends simply help block or run two-yard routes.
Now, they are legit game-changers and can serve as a team's No. 1 receiver. Tight ends help in pass protection, run blocking, short passing game, intermediate passing game, and deep passing game. As times roll forward, they'll continue to be even more involved in Sunday game plans.
10. Center
Highest Contract Value: $60 million - Erik McCoy, Saints
Centers aren't often left on an island with elite pass-rushers like offensive tackles are, but as interior defensive linemen continue to get better, the importance of the center grows.
NFL defensive coordinators are getting creative with alignment, as star edge-rushers like Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons have lined up inside from time to time. The center must not only handle the rush of an elite athlete, but they're in charge of communicating the protection scheme to the rest of his running mates.
Even the NFL's greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady, struggled with interior pressure. Ask him how important a strong center is to an offense. All that said, the other offensive line positions are more valuable.
Crossover hesi mid game?
Myles Garrett 🐐 pic.twitter.com/mYTeaj0JcK
— SN Ohio (@SN_Ohio) September 11, 2023
9. Inside Linebacker
Highest Contract Value: $100 million, Roquan Smith, Ravens
Inside or middle linebackers are another position that has seen devaluation as the NFL moves to an air raid feel. Thumping linebackers like Ray Lewis, Dick Butkus, and Mike Singletary were some of the most important and valuable players in the NFL during their careers, while just a handful of today's inside linebackers are viewed as irreplaceable to their defenses.
Having a linebacker who can lock down a tight end and even hold his own against a slot receiver is a cheat code, but there are very few who can get that done. NFL teams have opted to go cheap at linebacker, and instead invest in secondary help and pass-rushers.
The definition of range... @fred_warner is a missile out there 😳 @49ers pic.twitter.com/6vGZlf5nFo
— NFL (@NFL) November 2, 2022
8. Guard
Highest Contract Value: 102.5 million - Chris Lindstrom, Falcons
Offensive tackles have been the stars of offensive lines for a while, but guards are seeing their values go up thanks to the guys on the other side of the ball like Aaron Donald and Chris Jones. The NFL used to have very few high-end interior disruptors, but that's far from the case in 2024.
Guards help struggling tackles and centers in pass protection, pave lanes and gaps for the run game, and deliver devastating blocks on screen passes.
7. Interior Defensive Lineman
Highest Contract Value: $96 million - Quinnen Williams, Jets
Aaron Donald, Chris Jones, Quinnen Williams, Jeffery Simmons, Dexter Lawrence, DeForest Buckner, and many more interior defensive linemen have wrecked games for opposing offenses and will continue to do so. While offenses can move the pocket or help outside against elite edge-rushers, interior pressure is incredibly difficult to make up for.
The best interior defensive linemen make a great impact in the pass-rush game, but they also hold their own against the run. Credit these mammoth men with creating a ton of long down and distances for their opponents.
Aaron Donald sets his rush up with stutter, then executes a club/swim inside & gets to Burrow for the sack! #passrush #ramshouse pic.twitter.com/kcelGAhdXC
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) September 26, 2023
6. Right Tackle
Highest Contract Value: $96 million - Ryan Ramczyk, Saints
The left tackle position is still more important than the right tackle since they protect the quarterback's blindside (except Tua Tagovailoa), but the best edge-rushers are no longer lining up exclusively on the left side of a defense. This makes right tackles more important than in years past when they were mostly viewed as the run-blocking tackles.
Having a strong right tackle to pair with a high-end left tackle can elevate your team, as evidenced by the Detroit Lions with Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell.
5. Cornerback
Highest Contract Value: $100.5 million - Denzel Ward, Browns
The NFL rules favor offenses mightily, but the elite corner can still hold their own against top-flight wideouts. Having the luxury of leaving a cornerback on an island to take away one side of the field is invaluable -- just ask the coaches of Sauce Gardner and Trent McDuffie.
Like quarterbacks and wide receivers, cornerbacks will continue to see their value rise -- meaning more eye-popping contracts to come.
Sauce Gardner’s Rookie Resume ✍️
✈️ 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year
✈️ First-team All-Pro
✈️ 51 Solo Tackles
✈️ 20 Passes Defended (led the NFL)
✈️ 2 Interceptions
✈️ 1 TD Allowed in Pass Coverage pic.twitter.com/ZBoBYsMzXY— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) July 13, 2023
4. Wide Receiver
Highest Contract Value: $140 million - Davante Adams, Raiders
The recent trades involving star wide receivers Tyreek Hill and A.J. Brown have highlighted the importance of the position more than ever before.
Tua Tagovailoa took his game to the next level when Hill arrived, while Jalen Hurts went from a suspect passer to an MVP candidate with the help of Brown. The Bengals opting to pick Ja'Marr Chase over elite tackle prospect Penei Sewell in the 2021 NFL Draft drew a ton of criticism, but Chase's arrival helped propel Joe Burrow to superstar status. He was also a driving factor in their run to the Super Bowl.
Top wideouts are signing eye-popping contracts, and they're only going to continue to grow in value. There are very few teams who can compete at a high level with a mediocre wideout group.
TUA TO TYREEK ON A 78-YARD TD
📺: #MIAvsWAS on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/xvCjbLUIcN pic.twitter.com/I7MXJ3qJbU— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2023
3. Edge-Rusher
Highest Contract Value: $170 million - Nick Bosa, 49ers
There's only one thing that can make up for a weak secondary, and that's relentless pressure off the edge from players like Nick Bosa, Maxx Crosby, Micah Parsons, T.J. Watt, and Myles Garrett. These players are the most important pieces of a defense and can be credited with winning games seemingly alone.
If you can't generate pressure on the quarterback, offenses have a much larger margin of error and can let plays develop. Eventually, someone on offense gets open, meaning the defense is in for a long day. Including postseason action, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-11 in games without Watt's game-breaking talents. That's just one example of a premier pass-rusher's effect on a game.
New @Steelers franchise record in sacks: @_TJWatt (81.5)
📺: #CLEvsPIT on ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/zWM8hlwLFw pic.twitter.com/UdPDA6daj1— NFL (@NFL) September 19, 2023
2. Left Tackle
Highest Contract Value: $138.06 million - Trent Williams, 49ers
Many of today's top quarterbacks have become experts at moving around and outside the pocket, but recognizing and evading pressure for their blindside is a difficult task.
This is where left tackles come in and why they are paid so handsomely. The left tackle is expected to be the best pure pass blocker on an offensive line, and many of them have rare combinations of size, strength, and athleticism that make them high-end run blockers, too.
Tackles like Trent Williams, Tyron Smith, Laremy Tunsil, and Jordan Mailata are invaluable to an offensive line, while a weak left tackle can detail an entire offense.
San Francisco 49ers Trent Williams has not allowed a sack since Week 13 of last season 👀 pic.twitter.com/UclLepmZhj
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) December 7, 2023
1. Quarterback
Highest Contract Value: $450 million - Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Even the most casual football fans know the quarterback position is everything to an NFL team. There's a reason quarterbacks are selected so high in the draft, as you almost certainly need a special one to have a chance to win a Lombardi Trophy.
As of 2024, there are 15 quarterbacks with contracts exceeding $112.5 million in total value. Nine quarterbacks have deals with at least $230 million in total value. That said, they are expected to elevate a team in order to cover up for lack of cap space to spend at other positions.
Patrick Mahomes is the most effective in doing so, as he took home his third Super Bowl victory this year despite having a seventh-round running back and one of the worst wide receiving corps in the NFL. No matter how great a roster is, the quarterback position trumps all.
Mahomes. Kelce. TOUCHDOWN.
The BEST playoff duo ever at it again. 🙌
(via NFL, CBS)
— Rotoworld by NBC Sports (@rotoworld) January 28, 2024
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