Here’s how much the highest-paid NFL players make now, compared to their first year in the league

Players in the National Football League include some of the highest-paid athletes in the world, such as the Indianapolis Colts's Andrew Luck and the New Orleans Saints's Drew Brees.

But even star quarterbacks weren't bringing in top dollar their first years in the game.

CNBC Make It used data from Sportrac to rank the highest-paid NFL players by average yearly salary, then compared it with historical numbers from Over the Cap. The results reveal how the players' current salaries compare to their guaranteed base salaries from their first years in the league.

While these statistics provide a fun look at how each player's earnings have grown over time, keep in mind that the base salaries don't include signing bonuses, which many players receive. Depending on which round the player is signed, bonuses can range from $60,000 to several million, paid out over time.

Below, check out the 15 highest paid NFL players, along with how much each one earned during his rookie year.

Team: Miami Dolphins
Average annual salary 2017-2018: $19,062,500
Base salary in 2012: $390,000

Team: New England Patriots
Average annual salary 2017-2018: $20,500,000
Base salary in 2000: $193,000

Team: Atlanta Falcons
Average annual salary 2017-2018: $20,750,000
Base salary 2008: $295,000

Team: Carolina Panthers
Average annual salary 2017-2018: $20,760,000
Base salary in 2011: $375,000

Team: San Diego Chargers
Average annual salary 2017-2018: $20,812,500
Base salary in 2004: $1,305,000

Team: New York Giants
Average annual salary 2017-2018: $21,000,000
Base salary in 2004: $1,744,000

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Average annual salary 2017-2018: $21,850,000
Base salary in 2004: $6,000,000

Team: Seattle Seahawks
Average annual salary 2017-2018: $21,900,000
Base salary in 2012: $390,000

Team: Green Bay Packers
Average annual salary 2017-2018: $22,000,000
Base salary in 2005: $620,000

Team: Baltimore Ravens
Average annual salary 2017-2018: $22,133,333
Base salary in 2008: $295,000

Team: Washington Redskins
Average annual salary 2017-2018: $23,943,600
Base salary in 2012: $390,000

Team: New Orleans Saints
Average annual salary 2017-2018: $24,250,000
Base salary in 2001: $320,000

Team: Arizona Cardinals
Average annual salary 2017-2018: $24,350,000
Base salary in 2003: $1,070,000

Team: Indianapolis Colts
Average annual salary 2017-2018: $24,594,000
Base salary in 2012: $390,000

Team: Oakland Raiders
Average annual salary 2017-2018: $25,000,000
Base salary in 2014: $420,000

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