Fansided

30 highest-paid NFL players on their current contracts

By Rucker Haringey

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 03: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs yells out against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 3, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 03: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs yells out against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 3, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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DeMarcus Lawrence, Cowboys
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 15: Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on before the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

26 (tie). DeMarcus Lawrence

Lawrence is squarely in the middle of the massive 5-year, $105 million deal he signed with the Cowboys prior to the 2019 season. At times, Lawrence has been the only quality edge rusher present for the Dallas defense.

It is, however, noteworthy that he hasn’t notched double-digit sacks since his new deal took effect. He graded out well overall last year, but he still only took the opposing quarterback down 6.5 times for his squad.

That’s simply not enough production for a player who is making $21 million this season. It’s not an outrageous overpay, but the Cowboys front office should be looking for more value at such a crucial position.

The good news is that Lawrence still has time to bounce back and make this deal a positive value for Dallas once again. The odds might be stacked against him doing that as he enters his early 30s, but he’s a savvy enough pass rusher to adjust to his declining athleticism in the coming years.

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