During the peak of NFL free agency, there were a number of players who changed teams.
There were a few big trades involving quarterbacks, including Russell Wilson and Carson Wentz, that changed the NFL playoff odds and NFL odds for the 2022 season. Players will continue to change teams, even on the defensive side of the ball, with linebackers, cornerbacks, and others going to different cities prior to training camp.
And when it comes to money, defensive linemen have some of the biggest salaries, and therefore cap hits, on that side of the ball.
Chris Jones Has Highest DL Cap Hit in NFL For 2022
After a bit of a slow start to his NFL career, Jones has turned into one of the best defensive linemen in all of football, totaling at least 7.5 sacks the last four seasons, including 15.5 in 2018.
Kansas City’s defensive tackle was rewarded with a four-year contract worth $85 million that he signed in the summer of 2020. It will run through the 2023 season and has him with a $29.4 million cap hit for the 2022 season, the biggest among NFL defensive linemen.
It will grow to over $27 million in 2023.
Jones has been one of the leaders of an underrated Chiefs defense for the last several years.
What is Aaron Donald’s Cap Hit For 2022?
Immediately following the Rams’ Super Bowl win over the Bengals, there were rumors the 30-year-old could retire. That hasn’t happened, so it’s assumed Donald will be back in Los Angeles for another season.
Donald has three years left on a massive six-year, $135 million contract that will run through the 2024 season. He has a $26.8 million cap hit for the 2022 season, the fourth-highest among NFL defensive linemen.
He was a major reason why the Rams won the Super Bowl, as he makes it extremely difficult for opponents to run against them and has the athleticism to get after the quarterback, too.
Cementing his legacy.
🎥 Top 10 plays from @AaronDonald97's Super Bowl-winning season. pic.twitter.com/4gwtMT6iMk
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 3, 2022
Full Rankings of 2022 NFL DL Cap Hits
| Defensive Lineman | Team | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Jones | Chiefs | $29.4 million |
| Leonard Williams | Giants | $27.3 million |
| Aaron Donald | Rams | $26.8 million |
| Grady Jarrett | Falcons | $23.8 million |
| Javon Hargrave | Eagles | $17.8 million |
| Cameron Heyward | Steelers | $17.4 million |
| DeForest Buckner | Colts | $16 million |
| J.J. Watt | Cardinals | $15.9 million |
| Carl Lawson | Jets | $15.3 million |
| Trey Hendrickson | Bengals | $14.5 million |
| DeMarcus Lawrence | Cowboys | $14 million |
| Stephon Tuitt | Steelers | $14 million |
| Frank Clark | Chiefs | $13.7 million |
| D.J. Reader | Bengals | $13.7 million |
| Yannick Ngakoue | Colts | $13 million |
| Myles Garrett | Browns | $13 million |
| John Franklin-Myers | Jets | $12.5 million |
| Cameron Jordan | Saints | $12.4 million |
| Danielle Hunter | Vikings | $12.3 million |
| Emmanuel Ogbah | Dolphins | $11.4 million |
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