Jeffery Simmons followed his first All-Pro season by signing a contract that made him the highest-paid defensive tackle ever in the NFL.
The Tennessee Titans believe the hefty price that included $100 million in guaranteed money was well worth it and plenty of others agree as Simmons was picked as the top interior defensive lineman in the NFL by The Associated Press.
A panel of eight AP pro football writers ranked the top five players at interior defensive line, basing selections on current status entering the 2026 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.