6. Marcus Williams, S, New Orleans Saints
The Saints hit several home runs with their 2017 draft class. Unfortunately, that means New Orleans must pay all of those star players. The fifth-year rookie option gives the Saints another year before they have to deal with Marshon Lattimore and Ryan Ramczyk, but Alvin Kamara and Williams need new deals as soon as possible.
Since entering the NFL as a second-round pick in 2017, Williams has regularly performed at a high level. He’s an annual member of the top-ten safeties in the league. Serving as a center fielder, Williams intercepted ten passes during his first three seasons and broke up 23 other attempts.
Williams’ rookie contract makes him the 63rd highest-paid safety in the league (roughly $1.56 million annually). A new deal should put Williams among the top six highest-paid players at his position, meaning he’ll make between $11.5 and $14.6 million per year.
5. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Congratulations to all of the fantasy football analysts who predicted Godwin would go off in 2019. You were right. In his third season with the Buccaneers, Godwin made the Pro Bowl and earned a Second-Team All-Pro selection. His 95.2 receiving yards per game finished second in the NFL, only trailing Michael Thomas’ 107.8.
Last year, Godwin produced 86 receptions for 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns. The 24-year-old thrived alongside Mike Evans and could reach even greater heights with Tom Brady under center. Unless the Buccaneers reach an extension with Godwin, the team probably has him pegged for their franchise tag.
As a former third-round pick, Godwin only makes around $821 thousand annually. Assuming he remains somewhat consistent in 2020, the Penn State product should receive a contract that puts him among the top five or six highest-paid receivers in the NFL. That’s in the $17-20 million range.