Friend of Rumblings and ESPN AFC East blogger Tim Graham has put together a list of all the AFC East players that will make $1 million or more in 2011 (should there be as season). Surprisingly, the Buffalo Bills had the most players over the threshold, and the highest percentage of players on the roster in seven-digit territory, as well.
- Buffalo Bills: 19 of the 54 players under contract will make more than $1M, or 35.2% of the roster
- Miami Dolphins: 15 of 55, 27.3%
- New England Patriots: 14 of 60, 23.3%
- New York Jets: 14 of 57, 24.6%
That number does not include the team's third overall selection, which will likely add another player to the list.
In order of descending base salary, here's the list of Buffalo's millionaires: Lee Evans, Terrence McGee, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Spencer Johnson, Shawne Merriman, Dwan Edwards, Geoff Hangartner, Chris Kelsay, Fred Jackson, Kyle Williams, Rian Lindell, Brian Moorman, Reggie Corner, Stevie Johnson, Bryan Scott, Andra Davis, Roscoe Parrish, George Wilson and Leodis McKelvin.
Based solely on this list, the Bills could field an entire nickel defense: Edwards, Williams, and Johnson on the DL; Kelsay, Davis, and Merriman at LB; McGee, McKelvin, Corner, Wilson, and Scott in the defensive backfield. If Paul Posluszny and Donte Whitner are back on their RFA tenders or as re-signings, the team would boast 13 defenders that were part of the league's worst defense a year ago all being paid more than a million dollars.
The offense isn't as lopsidedly overpaid. The skill positions of WR (Evans, Johnson, Parrish), QB (Fitzpatrick), and RB (Jackson) are on the list, but only one offensive lineman, potential backup Hangartner, made the list.
Longstanding special team stalwarts Moorman and Lindell round out the list. Check out Graham's post for the salary each player will make in 2011.