They should not be compensated for position flex And shouldn't be looked at as a positive trait. Market for a rotational d lineman is probably 4-5 million maybe. The market will be skewed in his favor because he plays DE which brings more money but he doesn't give the pass rush ability of a DE. The FO messed up and this will be his last year with us.
DT is actually a higher paid position. Suh is now the highest paid DL.
I'm not a fan of paying position flex either. I hate this team philosophy of just moving guys all around. They got stuck somewhat with Crawford when the moved to a 4-3. And Crawford having the skills to move inside. But they should never have looked at that as a long term plan, and should not have given him a contract based on that.
Crawford is a 3-4 End. And even a bit undersized for that.
But I think, given time at DE, he can be an above average guy there. Probably not worth 9 mill a year since he does lack elite pass rush skills. But again, the elite pass rushers from end are getting 17+ mill a year. Just look at Lawrence. And you cant realistically have two 17+ mill a year guys at end and also have a premier 3T, that could be 19+ mill a year, if you go by what Suh just got.
You have to balance these salaries.