The Highest - Salaried NFL Players | Forbes.com: The Highest-Salaried NFL Players

Forbes.com: The Highest-Salaried NFL Players

The Highest - Salaried NFL Players

Passers and pass rushers dominate the list of those making big bucks. These ten players will pull in the most this season. Figures are based on salary and bonus money a player is due in 2012, not annual averages. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

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The Highest - Sa... Passers and pass rushers dominate the list of those making big bucks. These ten players will pull in the most this season. Figures are based on salary and bonus money a player is due in 2012, not annual averages. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

More From Forbes:
The Best Quarterbacks For The Buck
The World's Highest-Paid Tennis Players
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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Dwight Freeney Defensive End - Indianapolis Colts
2012 Salary: $19 million

Seven-time Pro Bowler has 102 sacks since 2002. He gets a $14 million base this season as part of six-year, $72 million deal signed in 2007. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Elvis Dumervil Defensive End - Denver Broncos
2012 Salary: $18.9 million

Premier pass rusher bounced back from an injury riddled 2010 season to record 9.5 sacks in 14 starts last year. Dumervil is owed $61 million through 2015, of which $43 million is guaranteed. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Peyton Manning Quarterback - Denver Broncos
2012 Salary: $18 million

Manning launches his Rocky Mountain chapter with five years and $96 million; only the $18 million for 2012 is initially guaranteed. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Sam Bradford Quarterback - St. Louis Rams
2012 Salary: $15.6 million

The No. 1 overall pick in 2010 was the last top selection to sign before the new rookie wage scale. His six-year, $78 million deal runs through 2015. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Philip Rivers Quarterback - San Diego Chargers
2012 Salary: $15.3 million

Rivers’ passer rating dropped to 88.7 last year after three straight years of 100-plus. The Chargers hope it’s not the start of a decline - their deal with the 31-year-old runs for four more years. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Jared Allen Defensive End - Minnesota Vikings
2012 Salary: $15.2 million

Four-time Pro Bowler led the NFL with 22 sacks last year. And talk about durable: Allen has missed three games in eight seasons with Kansas City and Minnesota. (AP Photo/Andy King)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Tamba Hali Defensive End - Kansas City Chiefs
2012 Salary: $14.5 million

A first round pick out of Penn State in 2006, Hali has started 95 of a possible 96 career games. His five-year $57.5 million contract signed in 2011 peaks in the second and third seasons (2012 and 2013). (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Michael Vick Quarterback - Philadelphia Eagles
2012 Salary: $13.9 million

After an initial look-see, the Eagles went all in on Vick before the 2011 season: five years and $80 million, with $32 million guaranteed. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Trent Williams Offensive Tackle - Washington Redskins
2012 Salary: $13.4 million

The fourth overall pick two years ago out of Oklahoma signed for $60 million over six years. Williams got hit with a suspension last year for flunking drug tests - now he’s day-to-day in training camp with a bruised foot. Is this the man the Skins want protecting RG3’s blind side? (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Larry Fitzgerald Wide Receiver - Arizona Cardinals
2102 Salary: $13.25 million

The Cards locked up the receiver extraordinaire with an eight-year contract for $128.5M. The money peaks in 2015, when he’s due $20.25M. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
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