NFL Contract Extension Candidates

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertMay 27, 2020
© USA TODAY Sports

The NFL offseason continues on, with many franchises switching from virtual to in-person meetings & workouts. We'll stay the course as well, offering our annual extension series -  breaking down one player from each franchise who could be staring down a new contract in the coming weeks or months, led of course by a group of notable QBs, a few defensive players looking to eclipse the $100M mark, & a few more running backs than might be expected.

 

Team Player POS 2020 Cash Projected Value Thoughts
ARI DeAndre Hopkins WR $12.5M $23.3M Hopkins has 3 years, $39.9M left on the contract he carries with him to Arizona. That $13.3M per year represents $10M less than his calculated market value. A strong 2020 makes a new deal in his new home a virtual lock.
ATL Takkarist McKinley  DE $3.25M $8.5M McKinley's on a path to follow Shaq Lawson into a mild 2nd contract, who locked in 3 years, $30M from MIA this March.
BAL Ronnie Stanley  OT $12.86M $22.1M Stanley's done everything right since entering the league, & he's about to be compensated as such. The 26-year-old should surpass Laremy Tunsil's $22M mark.
BUF Tre'Davious White CB $3.2M $16.7M White's been nothing short of fantastic the past two seasons in Buffalo. He enters year 4 in 2020, with a 5th-year optin available in 2021. It's likely he and Jalen Ramsey push the market closer to $18M per when it's said and done.
CAR Taylor Moton  OT $1.3M $14M Moton has entered himself into Tier 1 of RTs in the NFL, and will need to be paid as such. He'll follow in the footsteps of Jack Conklin, who recently locked in $14M with the Browns.
CHI Roy Robertson-Harris  DT $3.2M $8.25M Robertson-Harris has posted back to back solid seasons on the Bears' D-Line. He shouldn't break the bank, but is more than worth of doubling his money in the coming months.
CIN Joe Mixon  RB $1.7M $6.7M Mixon's been a solid RB on bad Cincy teams, but hasn't made much of a dent in the passing game. This will greatly reduce his next payday.
CLE Myles Garrett  DE $9.6M $20.1M

With his suspension now a thing of the past, Garrett's inline to become the NFL's next $20M man, likely surpassing DeMarcus Lawrence's $21M figure.
DAL Dak Prescott  QB $31.4M $34M Prescott's tag is worth enough to wait out a "blow me away" contract from Dallas, with $40M per year in play.
DEN Justin Simmons  FS $11.4M $14.4M Extending Simmons should be a no-brainer, especially with such a young, inexpensive offense to boot. He should have no trouble surpassing Eddie Jackson's $14.6M figure. Honorable Mention: Von Miller 
DET Kenny Golladay  WR $2.3M $19M Golladay and Stafford were really finding their way in 2019 before the latter's injury. It's a big year for both players, and the Lions as a whole.
GB Aaron Jones  RB $2.1M $13M Jones doesn't belong in the "next man up" RB money conversation, but he's enough of a pass catching back to warrant a payday. Unfortunately, his stats align most closely with Melvin Gordon, who cashed in only $8M per year with Denver.
HOU Deshaun Watson QB $4.4M $35.7M Watson's contract might be the next major one on the docket, & it will have ripple effects for both Dak Prescott, & Patrick Mahomes shortly thereafter.
IND T.Y. Hilton  WR $14.5M $11.6M His value has taken a major hit with injuries and a lack of consistency, but there's a world where he's still a legitimate WR1, in which case a $12M projection is an insult. 30 year old Julio Jones reeled in $22M per year, so there's a lot of wiggle room in between.
JAC D.J. Hayden  CB $7.6M $6M Soon to be 30, Hayden projects to reup on a similar contract to the 3 year $19M deal he's set to finish out in Jacksonville.
KC Patrick Mahomes  QB $5.3M $36.3M The calculator says Mahomes' next contract should slightly surpass Russell Wilson's $35M figure, but logic says it will most likely blow it away - especially if Dak Prescott & Deshaun Watson lock in first.
LVR/OAK Johnathan Hankins  DT $5.8M $3M Hankins is more of a depth player for the Raiders now, so his pricetag stands to drop, but Vegas should consider locking him in another 2 or so years at the right price. He might also be on the trade block.
LAC/SD Joey Bosa DE $14.3M $21.5M Bosa should become the next $100M defensive player in the coming months, already projecting north of DeMarcus Lawrence's $21M figure. He's currently set to play out a 5th-year option in 2020.
LAR/STL Jalen Ramsey CB $13.7M $16.7M Ramsey wasn't exactly fantastic last year, but it matters little. The Rams gave up so much to acquire him from Jacksonville, that their choices are to reset the CB market with his next contract, or trade him away. He'll be pushing for $20M. Somewhere closer to $19M probably gets it done.
MIA Matt Breida  RB $3.2M $4.6M Breida was acquired on a restricted tender, but should link up with Jordan Howard to make for a really strong 1-2 punch out of the backfield. It makes sense for Miami to lock him in for 2-3 years at cost control to keep him in the fold through Tua's rookie contract run.
MIN Anthony Harris FS $11.4M $15.5M Harris has an $11.4M franchise tag in front of him, but back to back great seasons (including 6 INTs in 2019), push his calculated value north of $15M on a multi-year contract. It's not clear if Minnesota is williing to go this route. Back to back franchise tags would be $25M.
NE Joe Thuney  OG $14.7M $14M There are a number of players heading into contract years for the Patriots, but that might be exactly what NE wants, as they approach a bit of uncertainty. Paying an OG top dollar ahead of a potential rebuild would be a bit reckless, though solidifying an OL for a young QB certainly makes sense. If Thuney is a fit for the next 3 seasons, locking him in is the right move.
NO Demario Davis NO $9.9M $12.5M Davis has found a home in New Orleans, heading into a contract year in 2020. The 31 year old won't require top dollar, but his stats fill up the board enough to warrant a solid raise.
NYG Dalvin Tomlinson  DT $1.4M $9.5M Tomlinson is an above average run stuffer, and a true nose tackle. While these positions have been devalued of late, they're still of value, especially for a defense trying to find its way. The former 2nd round is entering a contract year in 2020.
NYJ Jamal Adams  SS $7.1M $14.7M Justin Simmons & Anthony Harris should reset the safety market again, putting a future deal for Adams in a really good space, potentially north of $16M when it's said and done.
PHI Sidney Jones CB $1.9M $7M Jones hasn't lived up to his 2nd round selection, & isn't even slated to be a starter in 2020. But the Eagles can buy low here, getting Jones on a depth-cost extension, with hopes he can provide starter production in the coming years.
PIT Cameron Heyward  DT $13.2M $16.7M Heyward continues to produce at a high level, even now into his 30s. He's entering a contract year in 2020, and is a near identical comp. to Kawaan Short, who locked in $16.1M recently.
SF George Kittle  TE $2.2M $12.5M Hunter Henry's tag & Austin Hooper's $10.5M deal this offseason didn't help a TE market that badly needs a reset & Kittle's calculated projection is a casualty of this. The truth is that Kittle might be the most important weapon on the 49ers, & would be in many other offenses as well. He'll be looking for TE1/WR2 money, which pushes things up into the $15M-$16M range.
SEA Quinton Dunbar  CB $3.4M $17.6M Dunbar absolutely fills up the stat sheet, making him a calculated projection dream. He, Tre'Davious White, & Jalen Ramsey should really push the CB market forward in the coming months.
TB Chris Godwin  WR $2.3M $16.8M Godwin was the highest rated WR according to PFF in 2019, & might not even be the best WR on his own team (Mike Evans). He's entering a contract year in 2020, and with Tom Brady now under center, the expectations are endless. Does TB try to lock him up before another huge year?
TEN Derrick Henry RB $10.2M $13.8M It's a mystery if the Titans truly believe they can get more than one outstanding year out of Derrick Henry. If it's no, the franchise tag is the perfect way to end their relationship. If it's yes, the franchise tag still might be the better option.
WAS Brandon Scherff OG $15M $13M Similarly to NE with Joe Thuney, the Redskins need to identify who they are as a franchise, and specifically at the QB position before addressing to many current players. Missed games keep Scherff's calculated value down, but the 28-year-old should be seeking a multi-year deal at $15M per.

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