NFL teams spent a record $1.528 billion in total contract compensation on 142 unrestricted free agents.

Free-agency spending has been growing steadily over the past four years. It was $1.43 billion in 2014, $1.271 billion in 2013 and $1.16 billion in 2012.

With the salary cap expected to rise to around $150 million next year, expect $1.6 billion to be spent. As always, spending is fast.

In the first 11 days, 98 players received contracts worth $1.472 billion. After March 20, 44 players received $55.6 million. From that group of 44, the only player to receive more than $3 million was wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who went to the Oakland Raiders for a one-year deal at $3.2 million.