USA TODAY International Edition
Players prepared to reap rewards in 2018
Franchise- tagged stars will set new salary standards
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins and fellow 2017 franchise tag players Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell and Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson will create ripple effects for salaries at their positions when negotiations begin after the season.
Here are some of the top players at those positions whose contracts are scheduled to expire at the end of the season. Quarterbacks 1. Matthew Stafford ( De
troit Lions): He is 29, boasts exceptional arm strength, comes off arguably his best season and is primed to cash in at the right time. An extension in Detroit seems to be the most likely outcome. His next deal will almost certainly break Derek Carr’s $ 25 million annual salary record.
2. Cousins ( Redskins): His camp didn’t submit a counteroffer with Washington, a hint that Cousins might want to play elsewhere. If Cousins reaches free agency, he could compete with Stafford to become the highestpaid player in league history. 3. Drew Brees ( New Orleans Saints): Even at 38, he has a few years of good football left. If the Saints let him get away, Brees could provide a contending team needing help under center a shot
to compete. He would likely fetch a two- to three- year deal and would still come at a premium. 4. Jimmy Garoppolo ( New
England Patriots): He’ll almost surely be a prized commodity, likely to command more than the four- year, $ 72 million pact similarly unproven Brock Osweiler received from the Houston Texans in 2016. The Patriots could also franchise Garoppolo. 5. Sam Bradford ( Minnesota Vikings): Much will depend on the recovery of Teddy Bridgewater from a significant knee injury suffered last year. But if Bradford plays well, he could be in line for another massive contract, though one that probably
won’t quite reach the threshold of Carr, Stafford or Cousins. Running backs 1. Bell ( Steelers): Whether Pittsburgh eventually re- signs him or if he winds up testing the market, Bell’s next contract will almost certainly set the bench mark for all other running backs. 2. Devonta Freeman ( Atlan
ta Falcons): He’s been angling for an extension, which could come as soon as training camp. While Freeman is an excellent, multiskilled back, he probably won’t get paid on par with Bell since his timeshare situation with Tevin Coleman depresses his touches and impact.
3. Jeremy Hill ( Cincinnati Bengals): Hill has been a consistent presence even while splitting touches with Giovani Bernard. But the Bengals invested big in the draft when they selected talented Joe Mixon in the second round, so Hill’s 2017 tape might be for other teams. 4. Carlos Hyde ( San Fran
cisco 49ers): Entering a contract year under a new regime, Hyde has to stay healthy and reestablish his worth — and quickly. He has been a bright spot on a roster lacking talent. But because the Niners drafted Joe Williams, Hyde’s best bet for a big contract might be to field outside offers. 5. Eddie Lacy ( Seattle Sea-
hawks): After he struggled with weight and injuries, Lacy’s career in Green Bay ended after he signed a one- year, prove- it deal with Seattle. Maybe a change of scenery was what he needed, but now he has to show he is worth more than the $ 4.25 million the Seahawks gave him. Cornerbacks 1. Malcolm Butler ( Patriots): Consistently one of the top corners in man coverage and capable of trailing No. 1 wideouts, Butler, 27, should fetch an offer that will make him among the highest- paid cornerbacks. 2. Xavier Rhodes ( Vikings): He has blossomed into one of the league’s top, young players after allowing a league- low 41.8% completion rate on passes thrown against him last season. Whether he receives the franchise tag, negotiates an extension or tests the market, he’s due a huge payday. 3. Trumaine Johnson ( Los
Angeles Rams): He might have the highest salary ($ 16.7 million) of any corner on this list after getting franchised for two consecutive years, but Johnson, 27, continues to have unfulfilled potential. He boasts excellent size and athleticism but needs to become more consistent in order to land a lucrative, multiyear deal. 4. Brent Grimes ( Tampa Bay Buccaneers): He is 34 but continues to be a reliable defender. Because of that advancing age, Grimes’ salary likely won’t be as high as others at his position, and he’ll likely have to take a shorter deal. 5. Vontae Davis ( Indianapolis Colts): After a subpar 2016, he needs to bounce back in a contract year. He’s fairly young at 29, so his earning power is still decent at a premium position.