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NFL DRAFT · 229 CAREERS

NFL first-round pick earnings

$15,665,459,488 earned by 229 players taken in the first round, an average of $68,408,120 a career.

A first-round career is worth $68,408,120, which is 8.4 times what a seventh-round career is worth. The rookie contract is slotted by pick, so the opening years of every career here were settled on draft night. What the table below shows is what happened to those careers afterwards.

EARNED $15.67bn
PER CAREER $68.4m
CAREERS 229
SHARE OF DRAFTED MONEY 43.9%
STILL CONTRACTED $2.41bn

The richest first-round careers

Money paid across a whole career

Aaron Rodgers $418.2m

Aaron Rodgers $418m Jared Goff $312m Patrick Mahomes $289m Trent Williams $251m Lamar Jackson $240m Von Miller $225m Josh Allen $221m Kyler Murray $213m Deshaun Watson $189m Daniel Jones $186m Justin Herbert $180m Joe Flacco $180m Tua Tagovailoa $180m Lane Johnson $179m Leonard Williams $172m Khalil Mack $170m Jalen Ramsey $164m Laremy Tunsil $164m Jordan Love $163m DeForest Buckner $161m

Aaron Rodgers alone holds 2.7% of everything this round has earned, and the top twenty hold 27.2% of it between them.

Every first-round pick ranked by career earnings

Money paid, and what is still contracted

229 careers

# Player Position Drafted Franchise Contracted Career earnings
001 Aaron Rodgers Quarterback 2005 New York Jets $418,158,010$418.2m
002 Jared Goff Quarterback 2016 Detroit Lions $87.0m $312,127,068$312.1m
003 Patrick Mahomes Quarterback 2017 Kansas City Chiefs $209.0m $288,754,472$288.8m
004 Trent Williams Left Tackle 2010 San Francisco 49ers $251,418,608$251.4m
005 Lamar Jackson Quarterback Baltimore Ravens $52.0m $240,024,549$240.0m
006 Von Miller Defensive End 2011 Buffalo Bills $30.0m $224,853,311$224.9m
007 Josh Allen Quarterback 2018 Buffalo Bills $81.6m $221,076,199$221.1m
008 Kyler Murray Quarterback 2019 Arizona Cardinals $82.7m $213,272,938$213.3m
009 Deshaun Watson Quarterback 2017 Cleveland Browns $188,762,978$188.8m
010 Daniel Jones Quarterback 2019 New York Giants $186,129,056$186.1m
011 Justin Herbert Quarterback 2020 Los Angeles Chargers $138.5m $180,199,753$180.2m
012 Joe Flacco Quarterback 2008 Indianapolis Colts $180,175,063$180.2m
013 Tua Tagovailoa Quarterback 2020 Miami Dolphins $86.4m $179,510,807$179.5m
014 Lane Johnson Right Tackle 2013 Philadelphia Eagles $1.5m $178,936,625$178.9m
015 Leonard Williams Defensive End 2015 Seattle Seahawks $172,343,576$172.3m
016 Khalil Mack Outside Linebacker 2014 Los Angeles Chargers $169,545,498$169.5m
017 Jalen Ramsey Cornerback 2016 Miami Dolphins $45.7m $164,368,639$164.4m
018 Laremy Tunsil Left Tackle 2016 Houston Texans $163,802,675$163.8m
019 Jordan Love Quarterback 2020 Green Bay Packers $88.0m $162,883,455$162.9m
020 DeForest Buckner Defensive Tackle 2016 Indianapolis Colts $160,592,973$160.6m
021 Cameron Heyward Defensive End 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers $160,582,735$160.6m
022 Jake Matthews Left Tackle 2014 Atlanta Falcons $158,680,093$158.7m
023 Nick Bosa Defensive End 2019 San Francisco 49ers $67.2m $155,386,793$155.4m
024 Baker Mayfield Quarterback 2018 Tampa Bay Buccaneers $153,407,230$153.4m
025 Mike Evans Wide Receiver 2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers $151,362,362$151.4m
026 Cameron Jordan Defensive End 2011 New Orleans Saints $150,520,690$150.5m
027 Trevor Lawrence Quarterback 2021 Jacksonville Jaguars $192.3m $145,116,194$145.1m
028 DeAndre Hopkins Wide Receiver 2013 Tennessee Titans $1.3m $142,012,890$142.0m
029 T.J. Watt Outside Linebacker 2017 Pittsburgh Steelers $131,952,038$132.0m
030 Kenny Clark Defensive Tackle 2016 Green Bay Packers $20.0m $131,327,719$131.3m
031 Tyron Smith Left Tackle 2011 New York Jets $125,597,504$125.6m
032 Joshua Hines-Allen Outside Linebacker Jacksonville Jaguars $50.2m $124,674,951$124.7m
033 Arik Armstead Defensive End 2015 Jacksonville Jaguars $124,652,247$124.7m
034 Marshon Lattimore Cornerback 2017 New Orleans Saints $123,206,563$123.2m
035 Harrison Smith Safety 2012 Minnesota Vikings $122,735,243$122.7m
036 D.J. Moore Wide Receiver 2018 Chicago Bears $73.5m $120,910,079$120.9m
037 Taylor Decker Left Tackle 2016 Detroit Lions $21.0m $120,042,175$120.0m
038 Marlon Humphrey Cornerback 2017 Baltimore Ravens $119,982,999$120.0m
039 Brian Burns Outside Linebacker 2019 New York Giants $51.0m $119,759,466$119.8m
040 Quenton Nelson Guard 2018 Indianapolis Colts $118,819,452$118.8m
041 Jack Conklin Right Tackle 2016 Cleveland Browns $117,043,306$117.0m
042 Stephon Gilmore Cornerback 2012 Minnesota Vikings $116,426,433$116.4m
043 Amari Cooper Wide Receiver 2015 Cleveland Browns $116,260,570$116.3m
044 Bradley Chubb Outside Linebacker 2018 Miami Dolphins $23.3m $113,130,042$113.1m
045 Daron Payne Defensive Tackle 2018 Washington Commanders $112,947,360$112.9m
046 Christian Wilkins Defensive Tackle 2019 Las Vegas Raiders $25.7m $110,590,010$110.6m
047 Minkah Fitzpatrick Safety 2018 Pittsburgh Steelers $110,110,823$110.1m
048 Christian McCaffrey Running Back 2017 San Francisco 49ers $17.5m $109,659,263$109.7m
049 Jaire Alexander Cornerback 2018 Green Bay Packers $109,403,874$109.4m
050 Justin Jefferson Wide Receiver 2020 Minnesota Vikings $64.0m $109,041,172$109.0m
051 Ronnie Stanley Left Tackle Baltimore Ravens $108,645,183$108.6m
052 Roquan Smith Inside Linebacker 2018 Baltimore Ravens $20.0m $108,626,696$108.6m
053 CeeDee Lamb Wide Receiver 2020 Dallas Cowboys $61.0m $107,137,439$107.1m
054 Brandin Cooks Wide Receiver 2014 Dallas Cowboys $106,470,356$106.5m
055 Ryan Ramczyk Right Tackle 2017 New Orleans Saints $106,106,379$106.1m
056 Jadeveon Clowney Outside Linebacker 2014 Carolina Panthers $105,057,740$105.1m
057 C.J. Mosley Inside Linebacker 2014 New York Jets $102,906,002$102.9m
058 Rashan Gary Defensive End 2019 Green Bay Packers $22.5m $100,994,194$101.0m
059 Mike McGlinchey Right Tackle 2018 Denver Broncos $17.5m $99,481,766$99.5m
060 Andrew Thomas Left Tackle 2020 New York Giants $64.7m $99,320,588$99.3m
061 Derwin James Safety 2018 Los Angeles Chargers $97,972,956$98.0m
062 Brandon Graham Outside Linebacker 2010 Philadelphia Eagles $97,755,925$97.8m
063 Tremaine Edmunds Inside Linebacker 2018 Chicago Bears $97,670,678$97.7m
064 Odell Beckham, Jr. Wide Receiver 2014 Miami Dolphins $97,646,476$97.6m
065 Montez Sweat Defensive End 2019 Chicago Bears $21.0m $96,147,749$96.1m
066 Tristan Wirfs Left Tackle 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers $80.6m $94,472,026$94.5m
067 Jonathan Allen Defensive Tackle Washington Commanders $94,045,241$94.0m
068 Vita Vea Defensive Tackle 2018 Tampa Bay Buccaneers $93,911,596$93.9m
069 Jeffery Simmons Defensive Tackle 2019 Tennessee Titans $23.5m $93,843,214$93.8m
070 Chris Lindstrom Guard 2019 Atlanta Falcons $37.0m $93,727,754$93.7m
071 Kevin Zeitler Guard 2012 Detroit Lions $92,114,200$92.1m
072 Dexter Lawrence Defensive Tackle 2019 New York Giants $19.5m $92,001,040$92.0m
073 Calvin Ridley Wide Receiver 2018 Tennessee Titans $22.2m $91,995,024$92.0m
074 Jerry Hughes Defensive End 2010 Houston Texans $91,834,385$91.8m
075 Brandon Aiyuk Wide Receiver 2020 San Francisco 49ers $58.1m $88,531,342$88.5m
076 Leonard Floyd Defensive End 2016 San Francisco 49ers $85,376,577$85.4m
077 Mike Williams Wide Receiver 2017 New York Jets $84,188,155$84.2m
078 Ed Oliver Defensive Tackle Buffalo Bills $15.3m $83,713,022$83.7m
079 Penei Sewell Right Tackle 2021 Detroit Lions $72.0m $83,138,832$83.1m
080 Tytus Howard Right Tackle 2019 Houston Texans $81,330,394$81.3m
081 Bud Dupree Outside Linebacker 2015 Los Angeles Chargers $80,306,190$80.3m
082 Garett Bolles Left Tackle 2017 Denver Broncos $79,315,413$79.3m
083 Frank Ragnow Center 2018 Detroit Lions $78,734,930$78.7m
084 Kolton Miller Left Tackle 2018 Las Vegas Raiders $78,551,582$78.6m
085 T.J. Hockenson Tight End 2019 Minnesota Vikings $18.0m $77,233,996$77.2m
086 Patrick Surtain II Cornerback 2021 Denver Broncos $61.0m $75,764,678$75.8m
087 Marcus Mariota Quarterback 2015 Washington Commanders $75,541,683$75.5m
088 A.J. Terrell Cornerback 2020 Atlanta Falcons $36.0m $71,845,238$71.8m
089 David Njoku Tight End 2017 Cleveland Browns $70,385,968$70.4m
090 Jamal Adams Safety 2017 Tennessee Titans $70,081,238$70.1m
091 Tre'Davious White Cornerback 2017 Los Angeles Rams $69,810,619$69.8m
092 Christian Darrisaw Left Tackle 2021 Minnesota Vikings $63.7m $69,632,212$69.6m
093 Shaq Thompson Inside Linebacker 2015 Carolina Panthers $69,001,091$69.0m
094 Ryan Kelly Center 2016 Indianapolis Colts $67,998,507$68.0m
095 Jimmie Ward Safety 2014 Houston Texans $65,497,558$65.5m
096 Sheldon Rankins Defensive Tackle 2016 Cincinnati Bengals $65,359,273$65.4m
097 Sam Darnold Quarterback 2018 Minnesota Vikings $65,253,948$65.3m
098 Marcedes Lewis Tight End 2006 Chicago Bears $64,851,259$64.9m
099 DeVonta Smith Wide Receiver 2021 Philadelphia Eagles $44.7m $64,732,392$64.7m
100 Dante Fowler Jr. Defensive End 2015 Washington Commanders $64,431,466$64.4m
101 Andrus Peat Guard 2015 Las Vegas Raiders $62,469,208$62.5m
102 Jonah Williams Right Tackle 2019 Arizona Cardinals $60,327,818$60.3m
103 Josh Jacobs Running Back 2019 Green Bay Packers $13.5m $58,372,775$58.4m
104 Jerry Jeudy Wide Receiver 2020 Cleveland Browns $23.0m $57,819,140$57.8m
105 Laken Tomlinson Guard 2015 Seattle Seahawks $53,931,821$53.9m
106 Patrick Queen Inside Linebacker 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers $53,342,812$53.3m
107 Haason Reddick Outside Linebacker 2017 New York Jets $52,145,334$52.1m
108 Mitchell Trubisky Quarterback 2017 Buffalo Bills $51,221,690$51.2m
109 Adoree' Jackson Cornerback 2017 New York Giants $51,209,235$51.2m
110 Austin Jackson Right Tackle 2020 Miami Dolphins $49,785,256$49.8m
111 Nelson Agholor Wide Receiver 2015 Baltimore Ravens $49,105,572$49.1m
112 Chase Young Defensive End 2020 New Orleans Saints $48,568,594$48.6m
113 Cesar Ruiz Guard 2020 New Orleans Saints $9.5m $47,179,206$47.2m
114 Jabrill Peppers Safety 2017 New England Patriots $6.8m $46,256,988$46.3m
115 Cordarrelle Patterson Running Back 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers $45,707,585$45.7m
116 Devin White Inside Linebacker 2019 Philadelphia Eagles $45,486,814$45.5m
117 Kaleb McGary Right Tackle 2019 Atlanta Falcons $45,291,569$45.3m
118 Kyle Pitts Tight End 2021 Atlanta Falcons $43,863,192$43.9m
119 Darnell Savage Safety 2019 Jacksonville Jaguars $42,368,120$42.4m
120 Malik Hooker Safety 2017 Dallas Cowboys $41,403,383$41.4m
121 Noah Fant Tight End 2019 Seattle Seahawks $40,624,993$40.6m
122 Marcus Davenport Defensive End 2018 Detroit Lions $40,570,483$40.6m
123 Jordyn Brooks Inside Linebacker 2020 Miami Dolphins $38,485,608$38.5m
124 Micah Parsons Defensive End 2021 Dallas Cowboys $38,403,792$38.4m
125 Solomon Thomas Defensive Tackle 2017 New York Jets $38,315,548$38.3m
126 Bryce Young Quarterback 2023 Carolina Panthers $37,955,072$38.0m
127 Clelin Ferrell Defensive End 2019 Washington Commanders $37,616,008$37.6m
128 Travon Walker Outside Linebacker 2022 Jacksonville Jaguars $37,392,624$37.4m
129 C.J. Stroud Quarterback 2023 Houston Texans $36,279,244$36.3m
130 Will Anderson Defensive End 2023 Houston Texans $35,213,096$35.2m
131 Jeff Okudah Cornerback 2020 Houston Texans $34,601,335$34.6m
132 Jedrick Wills Left Tackle 2020 Cleveland Browns $34,046,497$34.0m
133 Anthony Richardson Quarterback 2023 Indianapolis Colts $33,994,031$34.0m
134 Jaycee Horn Cornerback 2021 Carolina Panthers $33,584,146$33.6m
135 Ahmad Gardner Cornerback 2022 New York Jets $33,450,802$33.5m
136 Caleb Williams Quarterback 2024 Chicago Bears $6.2m $33,306,595$33.3m
137 Marquise Brown Wide Receiver 2019 Kansas City Chiefs $32,463,511$32.5m
138 Devon Witherspoon Cornerback 2023 Seattle Seahawks $31,861,152$31.9m
139 Kayvon Thibodeaux Outside Linebacker 2022 New York Giants $31,339,038$31.3m
140 Alijah Vera-Tucker Guard 2021 New York Jets $31,198,028$31.2m
141 Drake Maye Quarterback 2024 New England Patriots $5.8m $30,848,432$30.8m
142 Derek Barnett Defensive End 2017 Houston Texans $30,702,939$30.7m
143 Zaven Collins Defensive End 2021 Arizona Cardinals $28,826,247$28.8m
144 Hayden Hurst Tight End 2018 Los Angeles Chargers $28,784,536$28.8m
145 Kenneth Murray Inside Linebacker 2020 Tennessee Titans $28,687,166$28.7m
146 Garrett Bradbury Center 2019 Minnesota Vikings $28,530,759$28.5m
147 Paris Johnson Left Tackle 2023 Arizona Cardinals $28,222,783$28.2m
148 Joe Alt Right Tackle 2024 Los Angeles Chargers $5.3m $27,843,996$27.8m
149 Ikem Ekwonu Left Tackle 2022 Carolina Panthers $27,568,050$27.6m
150 Jaelan Phillips Outside Linebacker 2021 Miami Dolphins $27,269,202$27.3m
151 Kwity Paye Defensive End 2021 Indianapolis Colts $27,031,833$27.0m
152 Greg Newsome Cornerback 2021 Cleveland Browns $26,125,736$26.1m
153 Payton Turner Defensive End 2021 New Orleans Saints $25,911,737$25.9m
154 Rashod Bateman Wide Receiver 2021 Baltimore Ravens $25,471,310$25.5m
155 Tyree Wilson Defensive End 2023 Las Vegas Raiders $25,005,500$25.0m
156 Greg Rousseau Defensive End 2021 Buffalo Bills $24,995,200$25.0m
157 Evan Neal Right Tackle 2022 New York Giants $24,551,258$24.6m
158 Malik Nabers Wide Receiver 2024 New York Giants $4.8m $24,429,875$24.4m
159 Charles Harris Defensive End 2017 Carolina Panthers $23,967,956$24.0m
160 Andre Dillard Right Tackle 2019 Green Bay Packers $23,936,749$23.9m
161 Javon Kinlaw Defensive Tackle 2020 New York Jets $22,738,692$22.7m
162 Isaiah Simmons Inside Linebacker 2020 New York Giants $21,723,394$21.7m
163 Drake London Wide Receiver 2022 Atlanta Falcons $21,690,977$21.7m
164 Charles Cross Left Tackle 2022 Seattle Seahawks $21,383,626$21.4m
165 Mekhi Becton Right Tackle 2020 Philadelphia Eagles $21,196,048$21.2m
166 Darnell Wright Right Tackle 2023 Chicago Bears $20,968,266$21.0m
167 Garrett Wilson Wide Receiver 2022 New York Jets $20,554,006$20.6m
168 Chris Olave Wide Receiver 2022 New Orleans Saints $19,271,874$19.3m
169 Mike Hughes Cornerback 2018 Atlanta Falcons $19,185,942$19.2m
170 Travis Etienne Running Back 2021 Jacksonville Jaguars $19,041,106$19.0m
171 Michael Penix Jr. Quarterback 2024 Atlanta Falcons $3.9m $18,967,276$19.0m
172 Justin Fields Quarterback 2021 Pittsburgh Steelers $18,871,956$18.9m
173 Rome Odunze Wide Receiver 2024 Chicago Bears $3.9m $18,830,704$18.8m
174 J.J. McCarthy Quarterback 2024 Minnesota Vikings $3.8m $18,079,596$18.1m
175 Jahmyr Gibbs Running Back 2023 Detroit Lions $17,845,134$17.8m
176 Jerry Tillery Defensive Tackle Minnesota Vikings $17,516,854$17.5m
177 Lukas Van Ness Defensive End 2023 Green Bay Packers $17,388,091$17.4m
178 Olu Fashanu Left Tackle 2024 New York Jets $3.6m $16,918,795$16.9m
179 Terrell Edmunds Safety 2018 Pittsburgh Steelers $16,601,463$16.6m
180 Will McDonald Defensive End 2023 New York Jets $16,321,672$16.3m
181 Jordan Davis Defensive Tackle 2022 Philadelphia Eagles $16,187,105$16.2m
182 Kenyon Green Guard 2022 Houston Texans $15,953,405$16.0m
183 Mac Jones Quarterback 2021 Jacksonville Jaguars $15,586,352$15.6m
184 Emmanuel Forbes Cornerback 2023 Washington Commanders $15,407,568$15.4m
185 Bo Nix Quarterback 2024 Denver Broncos $3.3m $15,280,007$15.3m
186 Christian Gonzalez Cornerback 2023 New England Patriots $15,102,868$15.1m
187 Brock Bowers Tight End 2024 Las Vegas Raiders $3.3m $14,870,314$14.9m
188 Zion Johnson Guard 2022 Los Angeles Chargers $14,746,678$14.7m
189 Jack Campbell Outside Linebacker 2023 Detroit Lions $14,721,977$14.7m
190 Jaxon Smith-Njigba Wide Receiver 2023 Seattle Seahawks $14,417,308$14.4m
191 Taliese Fuaga Left Tackle 2024 New Orleans Saints $3.2m $14,187,499$14.2m
192 Trevor Penning Right Tackle 2022 New Orleans Saints $14,143,316$14.1m
193 Zay Flowers Wide Receiver 2023 Baltimore Ravens $14,036,435$14.0m
194 Trent McDuffie Cornerback Kansas City Chiefs $13,992,484$14.0m
195 Laiatu Latu Defensive End 2024 Indianapolis Colts $3.1m $13,914,363$13.9m
196 Quay Walker Outside Linebacker 2022 Green Bay Packers $13,841,642$13.8m
197 Jamin Davis Outside Linebacker 2021 Washington Commanders $13,794,176$13.8m
198 Jordan Addison Wide Receiver 2023 Minnesota Vikings $13,731,740$13.7m
199 Dalton Kincaid Tight End 2023 Buffalo Bills $13,427,022$13.4m
200 L.J. Collier Defensive End 2019 Arizona Cardinals $13,394,418$13.4m
201 Tyler Smith Guard 2022 Dallas Cowboys $13,389,122$13.4m
202 Mazi Smith Defensive Tackle 2023 Dallas Cowboys $13,274,696$13.3m
203 Tyler Linderbaum Center 2022 Baltimore Ravens $13,238,286$13.2m
204 Anton Harrison Right Tackle 2023 Jacksonville Jaguars $13,198,520$13.2m
205 Jermaine Johnson Defensive End 2022 New York Jets $13,087,443$13.1m
206 Najee Harris Running Back 2021 Pittsburgh Steelers $13,047,447$13.0m
207 Devin Lloyd Inside Linebacker 2022 Jacksonville Jaguars $12,936,606$12.9m
208 Devonte Wyatt Defensive Tackle 2022 Green Bay Packers $12,861,184$12.9m
209 Dallas Turner Outside Linebacker 2024 Minnesota Vikings $2.9m $12,821,836$12.8m
210 Noah Igbinoghene Cornerback 2020 Washington Commanders $12,686,536$12.7m
211 Myles Murphy Defensive End 2023 Cincinnati Bengals $12,587,262$12.6m
212 Amarius Mims Right Tackle 2024 Cincinnati Bengals $2.9m $12,480,437$12.5m
213 Bryan Bresee Defensive Tackle 2023 New Orleans Saints $12,263,560$12.3m
214 Cole Strange Guard 2022 New England Patriots $12,255,970$12.3m
215 Troy Fautanu Left Tackle 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers $2.8m $12,207,300$12.2m
216 Chop Robinson Outside Linebacker 2024 Miami Dolphins $2.8m $12,139,014$12.1m
217 Quinyon Mitchell Cornerback 2024 Philadelphia Eagles $2.8m $12,002,446$12.0m
218 Nolan Smith Outside Linebacker 2023 Philadelphia Eagles $11,992,408$12.0m
219 George Karlaftis Defensive End 2022 Kansas City Chiefs $11,935,474$11.9m
220 Eric Stokes Cornerback 2021 Green Bay Packers $11,925,523$11.9m

The table holds the 220 biggest of 229 careers the file has from this round. Money written into a season not yet played sits in its own column and is not counted in the career figure beside it.

Early in the round against late in it

The same round, split at its median pick

182 careers with a pick number

Early in the round $75m
Late in the round $55m
Half of the round Careers Per career Richest Earned
Early in the round 91 $74.9m Patrick Mahomes $6,816,894,374$6.82bn
Late in the round 91 $54.7m Aaron Rodgers $4,979,681,646$4.98bn

The first half of the round has earned $74,910,927 a career against $54,721,776 in the second half, off the same round and the same slotted rookie deal. The whole draft is ranked round by round here.

How a first-round contract is paid

Every itemised dollar from the round, against the league's own split

37.5% signing and option bonus

  • Base salary 45.4%
  • Signing bonus 30.8%
  • Restructured money 8.1%
  • Roster bonus 8.1%
  • Option bonus 6.8%
  • Workout bonus 0.6%
Part of the contract Share in this round Share across the league Paid
Base salary 45.4% 52.9% $8,139,751,402$8.14bn
Signing bonus 30.8% 27.6% $5,514,625,016$5.51bn
Restructured money 8.1% 6.3% $1,457,321,993$1.46bn
Roster bonus 8.1% 6.6% $1,458,716,998$1.46bn
Option bonus 6.8% 5.3% $1,212,221,603$1.21bn
Workout bonus 0.6% 0.7% $115,015,902$115.0m
Incentives 0.2% 0.5% $26,934,554$26.9m

37.5% of a first-round career is signing or option bonus against 33.0% across the league, so more of this round's money is paid up front and cannot be taken back. The signing bonus page ranks every career in the league by that part alone.

What the first round produces

Career earnings by position

14 positions

Quarterback $3.52bn Defensive End $1.92bn Wide Receiver $1.62bn Left Tackle $1.51bn Cornerback $1.18bn Defensive Tackle $1.17bn Outside Linebacker $1.17bn Right Tackle $980m Safety $613m Inside Linebacker $579m Guard $567m Tight End $354m Running Back $264m Center $200m

Quarterback takes 22.5% of the round's money off 27 careers. A round is not a neutral sample of the league: clubs spend the picks they have on the positions they value, and the money follows years later. Every position is ranked here.

Where the first-round men are now

The franchises holding them, and what those careers are worth

32 franchises

# Franchise Players Career earnings
01 New York Jets 13 $975,579,991$975.6m
02 Detroit Lions 9 $770,887,548$770.9m
03 San Francisco 49ers 5 $690,372,583$690.4m
04 Baltimore Ravens 9 $689,407,695$689.4m
05 Miami Dolphins 8 $682,335,044$682.3m
06 Green Bay Packers 11 $654,391,402$654.4m
07 Minnesota Vikings 11 $651,003,789$651.0m
08 New York Giants 9 $650,462,950$650.5m
09 Buffalo Bills 6 $619,286,444$619.3m
10 Cleveland Browns 7 $610,444,195$610.4m
11 Indianapolis Colts 7 $602,526,222$602.5m
12 Los Angeles Chargers 7 $599,399,607$599.4m
13 Pittsburgh Steelers 9 $562,424,159$562.4m
14 New Orleans Saints 10 $561,359,418$561.4m
15 Houston Texans 9 $555,215,031$555.2m
16 Jacksonville Jaguars 10 $546,832,609$546.8m
17 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5 $504,472,834$504.5m
18 Atlanta Falcons 8 $473,252,041$473.3m
19 Chicago Bears 7 $452,685,330$452.7m
20 Philadelphia Eagles 8 $448,289,763$448.3m
21 Tennessee Titans 5 $426,619,532$426.6m
22 Washington Commanders 8 $426,470,038$426.5m
23 Kansas City Chiefs 5 $358,260,715$358.3m
24 Arizona Cardinals 6 $355,230,963$355.2m
25 Seattle Seahawks 6 $334,562,476$334.6m
26 Dallas Cowboys 7 $330,645,621$330.6m
27 Carolina Panthers 7 $307,011,161$307.0m
28 Las Vegas Raiders 5 $291,486,614$291.5m
29 Denver Broncos 4 $269,841,864$269.8m
30 New England Patriots 4 $104,464,258$104.5m
31 Cincinnati Bengals 3 $90,426,972$90.4m
32 Los Angeles Rams 1 $69,810,619$69.8m

Which programmes the first round comes out of

Career earnings by college

65 schools

Alabama $1.52bn Oklahoma $979m Clemson $948m California $881m Ohio State $821m Oregon $686m Southern California $613m Texas A&M $551m Notre Dame $495m Louisiana State $482m Louisville $436m Georgia $425m Florida State $395m Texas Tech $352m Michigan $351m

Alabama has put 23 men into this round, worth $1,515,433,577. Every college is ranked by NFL earnings here.

What first-round picks are paid each season

Every year of every career from this round, added together

Peak in 2024

2024 is the round's biggest year on record at $2,630,541,088. The whole 2024 payroll is ranked by player here.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a first-round NFL pick earn?

$68,408,120 across a career, on 229 careers on record. Aaron Rodgers is the highest of them on $418,158,010, ahead of Jared Goff on $312,127,068.

Who is the highest paid first-round pick in NFL history?

Aaron Rodgers, $418,158,010, taken in 2005 and now at New York Jets.

Is the first round worth more than the round after it?

A first-round career is worth $68,408,120 against $33,669,720 in the second, a gap of $34,738,400 a man.

Does it matter where in the first round a player goes?

The first half of the round has earned $74,910,927 a career against $54,721,776 in the second half, off the same round and the same slotted rookie deal. The split here is the median pick of the 182 careers in this round with a pick number on record.

Which position does the first round pay most?

Quarterback, $3,520,783,654 across 27 careers, which is 22.5% of everything the round has earned.

How many first-round picks are in the NFL now?

125 men of the 229 here was on a roster in 2026, and $2,409,106,965 is written into contracts for seasons not yet played.

Where to next

The other rounds, and the rest of the money

Round 2 · Round 3 · Round 4 · Round 5 · Round 6 · Round 7 · The whole draft · NFL career earnings

Round 1 careers

Every round

By season

Elsewhere in American football