The five-highest paid players in the NFL are quarterbacks who average a combined $146 million per season (or $29.2 million each) in annual value. The five quarterbacks combined to go 28-37-2 in 2018, and none of them players led their teams to the playoffs.

Despite sitting out the 2018 season, Le'Veon Bell (just signed with the New York Jets) had a historic start to his career. Bell has averaged 129.0 scrimmage YPG in his five-year career, more than any other player through their first five seasons in NFL history. Rounding out the top five? Edgerrin James, and Hall of Famers Eric Dickerson, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Jim Brown.

Veteran running backs Frank Gore, Adrian Peterson, and Marshawn Lynch have combined for 46,678 scrimmage yards and 301 touchdowns in their careers. They've combined to amass 26.5 miles worth of scrimmage yardage in the NFL. In fact, each of the running backs (Gore, 10.5 miles; Peterson, 8.8 miles; Lynch, 7.2 miles) has essentially covered the 7.3-mile drive from the Akron/Canton airport to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on George Halas Drive.

DeMarcus Lawrence is one of just four players to amass 25+ sacks and 5+ forced fumbles over the last 2 seasons. The others? Aaron Donald, Chandler Jones and Ryan Kerrigan, who also happen to be the only three players in the league with a higher sack rate than Lawrence (3.0 pct) since 2017, minimum 500 pass rushes. Lawrence will earn $20.6 million under his second franchise tag in 2019.

Tyrann Mathieu has been praised for his versatility since coming into the league in 2013. Mathieu is one of two players with 10+ INT, 7.0+ sacks, 10+ QB hits, and 40+ passes defensed since 2013. The other is perennial All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly. Kuechly is also the only player in the NFL with more 1+ INT & 1.0+ sack seasons (6) than Mathieu (5) over that span.

Five of the New England Patriots' Super Bowl LIII starters (22.7 pct) joined the team through veteran free agency, including the player who made the game-sealing interception: Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore (signed in 2017).

Earl Thomas (just signed with the Baltimore Ravens) had three INTs in 2018, tying for the Seahawks team lead despite missing 12 games. It's nothing new for the nine-year veteran: Thomas ranks among the top five safeties in INT (28, 2nd) and passes defensed (67, 4th) since his rookie season. In fact, Thomas and Chiefs safety Eric Berry are the only safeties with three All-Pro selections since each entered the NFL in 2010.

Dez Bryant may not have played a snap in 2018, but his production still aligns with the best players at the position. Since 2012, the only player with more receiving TDs than Bryant (58) is Antonio Brown (72). Brown just signed with the Oakland Raiders.

Mark Ingram (just signed with the Baltimore Ravens) has averaged 4.9 yards per carry since 2016, the 2nd-most in the NFL (minimum 300 carries) over that span. The only player with a higher yards per carry over that span? Former teammate Alvin Kamara (5.1). "Boom and Zoom" have combined for the most rushing yards (3,380) and rushing TDs (40) in the NFL over the last two seasons.