NFL · 3 months ago

Top 5 Highest-Paid NFL RBs Right Now (AAV): How Does James Cook’s New Deal Stack Up?

Paul Connor

Host · Writer

Cook's Standing
Cook's $12 million annual salary is tied for sixth at the position, alongside Green Bay's Josh Jacobs.
Introduction
Add Buffalo's James Cook to the growing list of running backs to cash in.

After sitting out much of training camp in pursuit of a new deal, Cook and the Bills officially agreed Wednesday to a four-year, $48 million extension, including $30 million guaranteed.

How does Cook’s payday compare to the league’s other top backs? Here are the five highest-paid players at the position by average annual value.

Tackle the Odds with SportsGrid’s Expert NFL Game Picks and NFL Player Prop Picks.
1. Saquon Barkley, Eagles
Average Annual Value: $20.6 M

2024 Regular Season Stats: 16 GP | 345 Att | 2005 Rush Yds | 5.0 YPC | 13 Rush TD | 33 Rec | 279 Rec Yds | 2 Rec TD

Career Stats (7 Seasons): 90 GP | 1546 Att | 7216 Rush Yds | 4.7 YPC | 48 Rush TD | 321 Rec | 2378 Rec Yds | 14 Rec TDs

Highlights & Awards:

- Super Bowl Champion (LIX)

- NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2024)

- 2,000 Yard Club (2024)

- First-Team All-Pro (2024)

- 3x Pro Bowl (2018, 2022, 2024)

- NFL Rushing Yards Leader (2024)

- NFL Rookie of the Year (2018)
2. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers
Average Annual Value: $19 Million

2024 Regular Season Stats: 4 GP | 50 Att | 202 Rush Yds | 4.0 YPC | 15 Rec | 146 Rec Yds

Career Stats (8 Seasons): 95 GP | 1347 Att | 6387 Rush Yds | 4.7 YPC | 52 Rush TD | 524 Rec | 4466 Rec Yds | 29 Rec TD

Highlights & Awards:

- NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2023)

- 2x First-Team All-Pro (2019, 2023)

- 3x Pro Bowl (2019, 2022, 2023)

- NFL Rushing Yards Leader (2023)
Download the SportsGrid App
Stay Ahead of the Game and Elevate Your Sports Betting Experience with SportsGrid. Download the SportsGrid App from the Apple Store and Google Play Store.
3. Derrick Henry, Ravens
Average Annual Value: $15 Million

2024 Regular Season Stats: 17 GP | 325 Att | 1921 Rush Yds | 5.9 YPC | 16 Rush TD | 19 Rec | 193 Rec Yds | 2 Rec TD

Career Stats (9 Seasons): 136 GP | 2355 Att | 11,423 Rush Yds | 4.9 YPC | 106 Rush TD | 174 Rec | 1651 Rec Yds | 5 Rec TD

Highlights & Awards:

- NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2020)

- 2,000 Yard Club (2020)

- First-Team All-Pro (2020)

- 2x Second-Team All-Pro (2019, 2024)

- 5x Pro Bowl (2019, 2020, 2022-24)

- 2x NFL Rushing Yards Leader (2019, 2020)

- 3x NFL Rushing Touchdowns Leader (2019, 2020, 2024)
4. Jonathan Taylor, Colts
Average Annual Value: $14 Million

2024 Regular Season Stats: 14 GP | 303 Att | 1431 Rush Yds | 4.7 YPC | 11 Rush TD | 18 Rec | 136 Rec Yds | 1 Rec TD

Career Stats (5 Seasons): 67 GP | 1228 Att | 6013 Rush Yds | 4.9 YPC | 51 Rush TD | 141 Rec | 1091 Rec Yds | 5 Rec TD

Highlights & Awards:

- First-Team All-Pro (2021)

- 2x Pro Bowl (2021, 2024)

- NFL Rushing Yards Leader (2021)

- NFL Rushing Touchdowns Leader (2021)
5. Alvin Kamara, Saints
Average Annual Value: $12.25 Million

2024 Regular Season Stats: 14 GP | 228 Att | 950 Rush Yds | 4.2 YPC | 6 Rush TD | 68 Rec | 543 Rec Yds | 2 Rec TD

Career Stats (8 Seasons): 1543 Att | 6779 Rush Yds | 4.4 YPC | 60 Rush TD | 573 Rec | 4762 Rec Yds | 25 Rec TD

Highlights & Awards

- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2017)

- 2x Second-Team All-Pro (2017, 2020)

- 5x Pro Bowl (2017-2021)
Cook's Standing
Cook's $12 million annual salary is tied for sixth at the position, alongside Green Bay's Josh Jacobs.
Introduction
Add Buffalo's James Cook to the growing list of running backs to cash in.

After sitting out much of training camp in pursuit of a new deal, Cook and the Bills officially agreed Wednesday to a four-year, $48 million extension, including $30 million guaranteed.

How does Cook’s payday compare to the league’s other top backs? Here are the five highest-paid players at the position by average annual value.

Tackle the Odds with SportsGrid’s Expert NFL Game Picks and NFL Player Prop Picks.

Top 5 Highest-Paid NFL RBs Right Now (AAV): How Does James Cook’s New Deal Stack Up?

Sports Betting

Sportsbook Promos

Social Casinos