Fansided

NFL power rankings: 30 richest active players

By Brad Weiss

Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers during the first half in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers during the first half in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Dwight Freeney (93) pass rushes on Denver Broncos offensive tackle Russell Okung (73) in the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Dwight Freeney (93) pass rushes on Denver Broncos offensive tackle Russell Okung (73) in the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

18. Dwight Freeney – $97,645,940

Since being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the 11th-overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, Dwight Freeney has been quite the headaches for the opposing quarterbacks. A sack machine, Freeney still is a productive player today, helping lead the Atlanta Falcons to a berth in Super Bowl LI this past February. Many believed Freeney would be an excellent player during his days at Syracuse, but few could possibly see what has become a Hall of Fame career.

The Colts locked Freeney up to a long-term deal during his rookie season, giving him a rookie contract that would span the next seven years. While that contract was only for $13.5 million, the Colts would give the defensive end his big payday with the next deal. In 2007, Freeney signed a six-year extension with the team, earning $72 million. Since leaving the Colts in 2013, Freeney has bounced around between the San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, and the Falcons, collecting big checks along the way.

A seven-time Pro Bowler, Freeney led the Colts defense that would shut down the Rex Grossman-led Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. A three-time First Team All-Pro, Freeney was the 2005 AFC Defensive Player of the Year, and he will go down in history as one of the best sack masters the game has ever seen. His deal with Atlanta was only a one-year deal, which could mean the end of the line for the 37-year old, but what a career it has been.

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