It took three years, but players are beginning to benefit financially from the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement.

How do we know this? Well, because even space-eaters are getting paid.

“Trust me, I’ve seen it,” said Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton. “I’ve kept an eye on it.”

Paul Soliai will be paid $11 million by the Atlanta Falcons this year. That’s $11 million for every sack he had last year with the Miami Dolphins.

Linval Joseph, who had three sacks with the New York Giants last year, will make $9 million to plug the middle for the Minnesota Vikings this year. Earl Mitchell, who had a career-best 1½ sacks last year with the Houston Texans, will get $5 million this year to play for Miami.

Then there’s Knighton, nicknamed “Pot Roast.” He was effective last season as a run stuffer and also had four sacks, including a key capture of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the AFC championship game.

Knighton will make $2.5 million in 2014, the final year of a two-year, $4.5 million contract he signed with the Broncos.

It’s all about timing. Knighton was benched by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012, the year before he became a free agent. The Broncos were able to get him at a discount.

Had he hit the market coming off the productive year he had with the Broncos in 2013, Knighton might be a $10 million player. Through his agent, Tony Fleming, Knighton approached the Broncos about getting a new contract, but the team isn’t ready to renegotiate.

Here’s why: After allocating $32 million in 2014 money to defensive end DeMarcus Ware, cornerback Aqib Talib and strong safety T.J. Ward, the Broncos have blown their defensive budget. Also, Knighton is one of many key Broncos who are in the final year of their contracts. They include Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Chris Harris, Orlando Franklin, Rahim Moore, Kevin Vickerson, Nate Irving and Virgil Green.

“I’m definitely going to honor the contract,” Knighton said. “I want to get something done and I’d like to get something done here. I don’t want to bounce around. But I’m at the point now where once the season starts, I’m just strictly football.”

Footnotes. The Broncos plan to pick up the 2015 option on Von Miller’s contract this week. It calls for Miller to receive a $9.754 million salary next year. … Week 2 of the team’s Phase I offseason program continues Monday. The Broncos will start Phase II — coaches can instruct players during individual and position drills — next Monday. While in Phase II, the entire offense can practice, and the entire defense can practice, but the offense and defense can’t practice against each other.