Multiple NFL teams were proactive in signing players to contract extensions between the opening of training camps and the start of the regular season. The effect is twofold. Players who would have been highly sought after in free agency or franchise-tag candidates were taken off the market. The early extensions allowed teams to lock up very-good-to-great players for a number of years at more affordable rates than if their contracts had expired. Most notably, interior defensive lineman and edge rusher became charter Nic Dowd Jersey members of the $20 million-per-year non-quarterback club. Donald was the first to break the barrier when the gave him a six-year, $135 million extension with $86.892 million in guarantees. Le s than 48 hours later, Mack signed a six-year, $141 million extension containing $90 million in guarantees where a non-quarterback record $60 million was fully guaranteed in conjunction with his trade from the to the . More on the NFL helped solidify the dramatic reset of the running back market that started with the four-year, $57.5 million extension (worth a maximum of $60 million through realistically achievable salary escalators) he received from the Rams in July. Hours before the ' regular-season opener against the , Johnson signed a three-year, $39 million extension with $31,882,500 of guarantees. The deal is worth a maximum of $45 million through incentives.When I was an agent, I would usually recommend that a client accept a contract extension before the season if a deal contained at least 95% of what I perceived his market value to be and had a favorable structure. The player gained financial security without incurring the risk of injury or poor performance that could depre s his value in the open market. So, who can cash in with a big 2018 season? Here's a look at one player from each division to keep an eye on during their contract year. AFC North TB RB #6 Bell angered several of his teammates, particularly on the offensive Jaromir Jagr Jersey line, when he didn't sign his $14.544 million franchise tender in time to play in the season opener against the . He is foregoing $855,529 for each week he remains unsigned.Bell and his agent, Adisa Bakari, are concerned that a heavy usage season will impact his ability for a huge payday in 2019, presumably as an unrestricted free agent. Bell led the with 321 rushing attempts and 406 touches (combined receptions and rushing attempts) in 2017 despite sitting out the season finale for precautionary measures with the playoffs looming. Week 1 league best of 135 rushing yards and 192 yards from scrimmage while replacing Bell should help alleviate some of the concerns about his workload if and when he returns to the . Conventional wisdom suggests that Bell will sign his tender at some point before 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 13, which is the Tuesday after Week 10's games. This is the signing deadline for draft picks, unrestricted free agents getting a May tender and players with restricted free agent, franchise or transition tenders. If these types of players remain unsigned after this date, they are prohibited from playing during the 2018 season. A franchise player hasn't sat out a full season since defensive end did so in 1998.Playing this season will ensure that Bell won' Dennis Maruk Jersey t get franchised for a third and final time in 2019. The procedures outlined in the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement dictate that Bell's third tag will be the greater of 144 percent of his second franchise designation (his current tender) or the largest number at any position, which is almost always quarterback. A suming the 2019 salary cap is in the $190 million neighborhood, the quarterback number should be approximately $25 million. Bell will be looking to replace Gurley, whose deal averages $14.375 million per year, as the NFL's highest-paid running back next offseason. Gurley has a running-back record $45 million in guarantees. The way Gurley's contract is structured, he is a sured of making the $40 million in the first three years running through the 2020 season, if not the $49 million over the first four years. Contract security will be very important to Bell. A lack of guaranteed money led to Bell rejecting a five-year deal reportedly in the $14 million to $15 million per year range containing a $10 million signing bonus prior to the mid-July deadline for franchise players to sign multi-year contracts. Others: , WR, ; , TE, ; C.J. Mosley, ILB, Ravens; , DE/OLB, Ravens; , QB, BrownsAFC South CLE OLB #90 The put a Clowney extension on hold because of his slower-than-expected recovery from minor knee surgery performed early in the offseason, which was a reminder of the injuries that defined his first two NFL seasons. The 2014 first-overall pick mi sed all of Houston' Mike Gartner Jersey s offseason activities because of the surgery. Clowney, who has a $12.306 million fifth-year-option salary, seems destined for a non-exclusive linebacker franchise tag in 2019 with good health, since Houston has longstanding policy against in season contract negotiations. The linebacker number is expected to be in the $16.325 million neighborhood next year a suming the 2019 salary cap is in the $190 million range. Clowney said the blockbuster contracts of Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack, fellow 2014 first-round picks, are giving him additional motivation. He posted a career-high 9.5 sacks and 64 quarterback pre sures in 2017. Clowney should be able to join Donald and Mack in the $20 million-per-year non-quarterback club in 2019 with a career year. Others: , Jr., DE, ; , S, Texans; , WR, Jaguars NFC West BAL DB #29 Thomas ended his holdout, which began before the June minicamp, because his "pay me or trade me" ultimatum to the fell on deaf ears. Instead, the Seahawks gave contract-year extensions to two players, left tackle and wide receiver , who didn't withhold their services.Thomas indicated that he was still receptive to remaining in Seattle after ending his holdout. The Seahawks aren't inclined to move Thomas before the Oct. 30 trading deadline. A first-round pick for Thomas would probably be too good for Seattle to turn down. The four-year extension Thomas signed in 2014 averaging $10 million per Andre Burakovsky Jersey year made him the NFL's highest-paid safety at the time. The five-time All-Pro probably has his sights set on reclaiming his place at the top of the safety pay scale. is the current benchmark with the six-year, $78 million contract containing $40 million in guarantees he received from the Chiefs in 2017. Thomas is a potential franchise-tag candidate. It will be $12.48 million for Seattle to use the designation on him, which is 120 percent of his current $10.4 million salary cap number.Others: , LB/S, Cardinals; , DE, Seahawks; , WR, Cardinals; , DE/OLB, Cardinals; , S, Rams; , DT, Rams; K.J. Wright, OLB, Seahawks NFC East