Here’s one way to measure positional value in the NFL

Positional value is a real thing in the NFL. Teams value some positions more than others, which is a big part of the reason why Saquon Barkley, a running back, is no longer a member of the New York Giants.

In what order, though, do NFL teams rank, or value positions? Some work in The Athletic’s ‘Scoop City Newsletter’, offers some insight into current positional value thinking in NFL front offices.

The Athletic looked at how salaries by position have risen in relation to the salary cap since 2014. The cap, in that decade, has gone up 92%. The list below is based on the player with the highest average annual salary at each position, not a cumulative average of average annual salary for all players or the top 10 players at each position.

Below, the positions at which the salary fo the highest-paid player has grown more than the salary cap:

• Defensive tackle: 151.9% increase
• Quarterback: 150%
• Offensive line: 143.5%
• Edge defender: 104.8%
• Linebacker: 100%

Now, the positions at which the Average Annual Value for the highest-paid player has grown more slowly than the salary cap:

• Safety: 75%
• Tight end: 71%
• Wide receiver: 70.2%
• Cornerback: 31.3%
• Running back: 18.2%

Here are The Athletic’s takeaways:

There are a few surprises, none bigger than the salary of the top inside linebacker rising faster than the salary cap. From Patrick Willis’ $10 million APY in 2014 to Roquan Smith’s current pay of $20 million, we’ve seen a 100 percent increase in the top-end salary despite that position being regularly snubbed in the draft (just one drafted in the first two rounds in 2024).

Given the common narrative (and Zoom calls), it’s not surprising to see running backs at the lowest mark, but were you expecting to see cornerback growth so low? After we saw many veteran safeties cut this offseason, that would’ve been my candidate for second-lowest growth. Receiver growth is surprisingly in line with tight ends.

The biggest takeaway: The NFL values the trenches, as defensive tackle and offensive line standouts saw the biggest increases in pay, with the former growing even more quickly than QBs. The only other two positions to outpace the salary cap: edge rusher and inside linebacker.

Valentine’s View

It is absolutely apparent how much the league values the offensive line and the defensive front seven, including inside linebacker. While inside linebacker is often an interchangeable position, the 100% increase in the top AAV shows that the NFL recognizes the difference-making ability of the top players at the position. It is why the Giants paid Bobby Okereke $40 million over four years.

It was surprising to see that cornerback salaries have risen so slowly, with only running back salaries inching up at a slower pace.

While safety salaries have jumped, we saw the residual effect of that this offseason with a number of teams cutting highly-paid safeties, and the Giants refusing to enter a bidding war for Xavier McKinney.