| Player | Position | Team | Experience | 2004 cap hit | Median Positional Cap Hit, 25 Highest-Paid Players | Key Stat |
| Marc Bulger | QB | Rams | 4 | $379,900 | $5,146,357 | 3964 passing yards |
| Billy Volek | QB | Titans | 5 | $610,000 | $5,146,357 | 87.1 quarterback rating |
| Domanick Davis | RB | Texans | 2 | $336,333 | $3,185,033 | 13 total TDs |
| Nick Goings | RB | Panthers | 4 | $394,000 | $3,185,033 | 1215 total yards, 7 TDs |
| Rudi Johnson | RB | Bengals | 4 | $499,366 | $3,185,033 | 1454 rushing yards, 12 TDs |
| David Givens | WR | Pats | 3 | $313,700 | $3,385,714 | 15.6 yard per catch avg. |
| Drew Bennett | WR | Titans | 4 | $380,000 | $3,385,714 | 1247 receiving yards, 11 TDs |
| Nate Burleson | WR | Vikings | 2 | $401,333 | $3,385,714 | 1006 receiving yards, 9 TDs |
| T.J. Houshmandzadeh | WR | Bengals | 4 | $404,433 | $3,385,714 | 978 receivings yards |
| Deion Branch | WR | Pats | 3 | $509,500 | $3,385,714 | Super Bowl MVP |
| Antonio Gates | TE | Chargers | 2 | $228,500 | $1,501,550 | 13 TDs |
| Jeb Putzier | TE | Broncos | 3 | $325,833 | $1,501,550 | 15.9 yard per catch avg. |
| Dan Koppen | OL | Pats | 2 | $254,000 | $4,571,428 | 16 games started |
| Artis Hicks | OL | Eagles | 3 | $307,000 | $4,571,428 | 13 games started |
| Kevin Shaffer | OL | Falcons | 3 | $314,433 | $4,571,428 | 15 games started |
| Justin Hartwig | OL | Titans | 3 | $327,233 | $4,571,428 | 15 games started |
| Derrick Dockery | OL | Redskins | 2 | $346,000 | $4,571,428 | 16 games started |
| Keydrick Vincent | OL | Steelers | 4 | $379,800 | $4,571,428 | 16 games started |
| Kynan Forney | OL | Falcons | 4 | $405,200 | $4,571,428 | 16 games started |
| Rick DeMulling | OL | Colts | 4 | $405,266 | $4,571,428 | 11 games started |
| Salary data cited from USA TODAY | ||||||
| Player information and stats cited from NFL.com |