9 players who should land big-money extensions before Week 1

A handful of star players are in line to see their bank accounts buoyed by big-money extensions, and most should be rewarded by the time the regular season rolls around.

Here are nine of those players, with predictions about their contract extension numbers:

Derek Carr, Raiders
Matt Ryan, Falcons
Matthew Stafford, Lions

When one of these dominoes falls, the other two should quickly follow. And all three have a shot at supplanting Andrew Luck as the NFL's highest-paid player.

Carr, Ryan, and Stafford are in great bargaining positions after MVP-type campaigns in 2016, with Ryan actually taking home the award.

There's more pressure for the Raiders and the Lions to lock up their franchise quarterbacks, however, as both are unrestricted free agents after this season. Ryan is contracted through 2018, and though the Falcons have said he isn't the top priority, it would be foolish of the veteran not to cash in on his career year.

Carr has said he'll cut off negotiations with Oakland if no deal is reached before training camp, so the fourth-year pro could get the ball rolling on these top-tier quarterback extensions by inking a deal within the next month or so.

Carr's contract prediction: Five-year, $120-million deal ($81 million guaranteed)
Ryan: Three-year, $75-million deal ($50 million guaranteed)
Stafford: Four-year, $95-million ($66 million guaranteed)

Aaron Donald, Rams

Donald, like many members of the lauded 2014 first-round draft class, had his fifth-year option exercised this offseason. However, it appears the star defensive tackle will leverage his elite play over the past two seasons into a monster extension earlier than most of his class.

He's currently staying away from voluntary OTAs, and it's reportedly a contract-related absence. Rams general manager Les Snead said he's working on a long-term deal for Donald, describing the current stage of negotiations as "serious."

Whether Donald can exceed Ndamukong Suh's average annual salary of just over $19 million remains to be seen, but the two-time first-team All-Pro has a decent shot, which would make him the highest-paid player at his position.

Contract prediction: Six-year, $111-million deal ($72 million guaranteed)

Le'Veon Bell, Steelers

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

The first of two franchise-tagged players on the list, Bell isn't participating in OTAs as he seeks a long-term contract. The star running back and the Steelers have until July to work out an extension, or he'll play the 2017 season on the $12.12-million tag, and that deadline will likely drive forward negotiations.

It's in the best interests of both parties to get a deal done. The Steelers would get their featured offensive player locked down, likely for an annual number lower than the tag, and Bell would get some much-needed long-term security.

Bell's suspension history is likely the Steelers' lone concern with handing him a huge extension, but the running back showed why he's the best in the game with 1,884 yards from scrimmage in just 12 games last season, and will probably be paid as such.

Contract prediction: Five-year, $50-million deal ($32 million guaranteed)

Melvin Ingram, Chargers

The second of the franchise-tagged players, Ingram is set to form a fearsome pass-rushing duo with Joey Bosa for the foreseeable future - the Chargers just need to get him under contract first.

Like Bell and the Steelers, the Chargers and Ingram have until July 15 to reach a deal. And, again like Bell, Ingram is expected to stay away from the team until he signs an extension.

Los Angeles and Ingram were given a blueprint for a potential deal earlier in the offseason when the Arizona Cardinals inked franchise-tagged linebacker Chandler Jones to a five-year, $83-million deal with $53 million guaranteed.

Jones' and Ingram's production is comparable over the past two seasons, and the Chargers would be wise to work out a deal in order to lower the linebacker's $14.55-million cap hit in 2017.

Contract prediction: Four-year, $64-million deal ($40 million guaranteed)

DeAndre Hopkins, Texans

Hopkins famously held out for one day during last year's offseason in order to facilitate a contract extension. And while it was likely wise to not extend his holdout, it's not hard to see why the receiver was unhappy with his deal.

The 25-year-old posted 111 catches for 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2015, elite production on par with the likes of Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr., and Julio Jones - and Hopkins didn't have elite quarterbacks throwing to him.

He's fighting from a weaker position after falling 46 yards short of his third straight 1,000-yard campaign in 2016, but most of the blame for his struggles lies on Brock Osweiler's shoulders. And the Texans would be smart not to try to undercut Hopkins for their mistake.

Contract prediction: Four-year, $58-million deal ($38 million guaranteed)

Ryan Shazier, Steelers

The Steelers don't need to extend Shazier this offseason, as the linebacker is contracted through the 2018 season thanks to the fifth-year option. But just as it did with former first-round guard David DeCastro, Pittsburgh could ink Shazier to an extension a year earlier than necessary.

Shazier proved himself worthy of a big-money deal in 2016. The 24-year-old emerged as one of the league's best young inside linebackers, highlighted by his four straight games with an interception from Week 16 to the divisional round.

If Pittsburgh waits a year, he could force them to add a few extra million onto his annual salary.

Contract prediction: Four-year, $46-million deal ($25 million guaranteed)

Jarvis Landry, Dolphins

Landry opted not to stay away from the Dolphins' OTAs as he seeks an upgrade on his rookie deal, which is set to expire after the 2017 season. The receiver tried that tactic before the 2016 campaign and went unrewarded, so it appears he's trying to prove to Miami he can be relied upon.

Landry's production more than warrants a new deal. He has 288 catches, 3,051 yards, and 14 total touchdowns in his first three seasons in the league. And while the 24-year-old isn't mentioned among the elite at his position, he's a good player who has yet to reach his ceiling.

Contract prediction: Five-year, $63.75-million deal ($36 million guaranteed)