Offensive tackles are Christopher Caldwellamong the most important players on the football. Tasked with protecting the quarterback against aggressive edge rushers, offensive tackles often go up against some of the quickest and most-skilled defensive players.

Going back to the 1997 NFL draft, only quarterbacks (19), pass rushers (four) or offensive tackles (three) have been selected with the No. 1 overall pick. Joe Thomas — who played 11 seasons at left tackle — was not among those top picks, but the No. 3 overall selection in the 2007 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns is a 2023 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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Who is the highest-paid NFL offensive tackle?

In March, Laremy Tunsil signed a three-year $75 million extension with the Houston Texans, making him the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL. In late July, the New York Giants gave Andrew Thomas a more lucrative contract ($117.5 million over five seasons), but his per-season total comes just short of Tunsil.

2023 NFL offensive tackle salary rankings

Here are the offensive tackle salary rankings based on average annual value, according to Over The Cap.

1. Laremy Tunsil (LT), Houston Texans: $25 million (3 years, $75 million)

2. Andrew Thomas (LT), New York Giants: $23.5 million (5 years, $117.5 million)

3. Trent Williams (LT), San Francisco 49ers: $23.01 million (6 years, $138.06 million)

4. David Bakhtiari (LT), Green Bay Packers: $23 million (4 years, $92 million)

5. Lane Johnson (RT), Philadelphia Eagles: $20.18 million (4 years, $80.75 million)

6. Jawaan Taylor (RT), Kansas City Chiefs: $20 million (4 years, $80 million)

7. Ronnie Stanley (LT), Baltimore Ravens: $19.75 million (5 years, $98.75 million)

8. Ryan Ramczyk (RT), New Orleans Saints: $19.2 million (5 years, $96 million)

9 (tie). Brian O'Neill (RT), Minnesota Vikings: $18.5 million (5 years, $92.5 million)

9 (tie). Jake Matthews (LT), Atlanta Falcons: $18.5 million (3 years, $55.5 million)

11. Kolton Miller (LT), Las Vegas Raiders: $18 million (3 years, $54.01 million)

12. Cam Robinson (LT), Jacksonville Jaguars: $17.58 million (3 years, $52.75 million)

13 (tie). Braden Smith (RT), Indianapolis Colts: $17.5 million (4 years, $70 million)

13 (tie). Mike McGlinchey (RT), Denver Broncos: $17.5 million (5 years, $87.5 million)

15 (tie). Garett Bolles (LT), Denver Broncos: $17 million (4 years, $68 million)

15 (tie). Taylor Moton (RT), Carolina Panthers: $17 million (5 years, $85 million)

17. Orlando Brown (LT), Cincinnati Bengals: $16.02 million (4 years, $64.09 million)

18. Jordan Mailata (LT), Philadelphia Eagles: $16 million (4 years, $64 million)

19 (tie). Terron Armstead (LT), Miami Dolphins: $15 million (5 years, $75 million)

19 (tie). Jack Conklin (RT), Cleveland Browns: $15 million (4 years, $60 million)

21. Taylor Decker (LT), Detroit Lions: $14.91 million (4 years, $59.65 million)

22. Dion Dawkins (LT), Buffalo Bills: $14.57 million (4 years, $58.3 million)

23. Joseph Noteboom (LT), Los Angeles Rams: $13.33 million (3 years, $40 million)

24. Charles Leno Jr. (LT), Washington Commanders: $12.5 million (3 years, $37 million)

25 (tie). Rob Havenstein (RT), Los Angeles Rams: $11.5 million (3 years, $34.5 million)

25 (tie). Kaleb McGary (RT), Atlanta Falcons: $11.5 million (3 years, $34.5 million)

27. Duane Brown (LT), New York Jets: $10 million (2 years, $20 million)

28. Chukwuma Okorafor (RT), Pittsburgh Steelers: $9.75 million (3 years, $29.25 million)

29. Andre Dillard (LT), Tennessee Titans: $9.66 million (3 years, $29 million)

30. Andrew Wylie (RT), Washington Commanders: $8 million (3 years, $24 million)

31. Trey Pipkins (RT), Los Angeles Chargers: $7.25 million (3 years, $21.75 million)

32. Paris Johnson Jr. (RT), Arizona Cardinals: $7.01 million (4 years, $28.05 million)

Here’s the list of all the positions

• Highest-paid NFL players
• Quarterbacks
• Running back
• Receivers
• Tight ends
• Offensive guards
• Centers
• Edge rushers
• Interior defensive linemen
• Linebackers
• Cornerbacks
• Safeties
• Kickers
• Punters