During his contract dispute, which stretches back a couple of years, Muhammad Wilkerson has watched similarly talented defensive linemen score big deals with their respective teams. We've reported the names and the contract numbers, connecting them to Wilkerson's situation. There's another interesting angle -- a look at how those players fared after reaping enormous riches.

For the most part, they regressed in terms of production, showing that bang for the buck isn't always a given -- at least not in Year 1 of the contract. You can bet the New York Jets are aware of the trend. This isn't to suggest they're concerned about Wilkerson falling into that trap; it just confirms there's a buyer-beware element to every major investment.

Muhammad Wilkerson wants the kind of long-term deal he has seen so many other D-linemen get. AP Photo/Bill Wippert

Let's take a look at the biggest deals from 2014 and 2015 (based on guaranteed money):

2015

Marcell Dareus, Buffalo Bills (six-year, $108 million extension, $60 million guaranteed): He was a dominant force in 2014, racking up 10 sacks and making the All-Pro team, but he fell off a cliff last season after signing his mega-deal. He managed only two sacks, a career low. Teammate Jerry Hughes ($22 million guaranteed) fell into the same category, going from 10 sacks to five. You think the Bills wish they could take a mulligan on those deals?

Ndamukong Suh, Miami Dolphins (six years, $114 million, $60 million guaranteed): Suh, one of the top free agents in recent years, was supposed to lift the Miami defense on his giant shoulders and carry it to dominance. Let's just say his overall performance fell short of expectations. He finished with only six sacks, down from 8.5 in the previous year with the Detroit Lions. He didn't even make the Pro Bowl, one year after an All-Pro season.

Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints (five-year, $60 million extension, $33.5 million guaranteed): Jordan bucked the trend, going from 7.5 sacks to 10 and making his first Pro Bowl. Overall, he was a more disruptive presence than in 2014, allowing the Saints to feel good about their investment.

Corey Liuget, San Diego Chargers (five-year, $51.3 million extension, $30.5 million guaranteed): He missed the final four games with a foot injury and battled a knee problem that required minor offseason surgery. He finished with only three sacks, down from 4.5.

2014

Robert Quinn, Rams (six years, $65.6 million, $41.2 million guaranteed): Talk about a disappearing act. He was coming off a 19-sack season when he signed the contract, but he hasn't come anywhere close to that over the past two years. He managed 10.5 sacks in 2014, but slipped to five last season after missing eight games with a back issue. His epic performance in '13 turned out to be an aberration, but Quinn parlayed it into big bucks.

J.J. Watt, Houston Texans (six-year, $100 million extension, $51.9 million guaranteed): The true exception to the rule, Watt got better -- a lot better -- after signing his new contract. He essentially doubled his sack production, going from 10.5 to 20.5 sacks. You could make the argument Watt has outperformed his contract, considering the money thrown at lesser defensive linemen in recent months.

2016 offseason

It'll be interesting to see how the Philadelphia Eagles' Fletcher Cox ($63 million guaranteed), New York Giants' Olivier Vernon ($52.5 million) and Jacksonville Jaguars' Malik Jackson ($42 million) perform after signing the biggest defensive-line contracts of the 2016 offseason. Technically, Wilkerson still could wind up in that group, but it's highly unlikely.

By rule, the Jets have until July 15 to sign him to a long-term contract or else he will play on a one-year contract for the amount of his franchise-tag tender ($15.7 million), which seems to suit the Jets. They're in no rush to lock up one of their best players, which certainly clouds his future.