30 Biggest Bargain Players in the NFL
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It doesn’t take a finance wiz to figure out the NFL success formula. The teams that get the most bangs for their bucks do the best. So it’s no coincidence that the most underpaid athletes in the 2020 season come mostly from playoff teams, several of which went above and beyond expectations.
Here are the guys who were paid the least to do the most . . .
30. Sione Takitaki
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Position: Inside linebacker
Career: 2 seasons (2019-present)
Team: Cleveland Browns (2019-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $3.7 million
2020 statistics: 1 interception, 1.0 sacks
* Salary and performance data was sourced from Spotrac and Pro Football Focus.
Bottom Line
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Even though the Brigham Young product played only 40 percent of the snaps last season, he outperformed his salary by a considerable margin. Now there’s talk that he will assume a far greater role in the season ahead.
Will team management want to extend the agreement before he enters his 2022 walk year? Stay tuned.
29. D.K. Metcalf
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Position: Wide receiver
Career: 2 seasons (2019-present)
Team: Seattle Seahawks (2019-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $4.6 million
2020 statistics: 1,303 yards from scrimmage, 10 total touchdowns
Bottom Line
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Metrics and the eye test tell us that this guy is as good as it gets in single coverage, a few dropped balls aside. Yet his Average Annual Value ($1.1 million and change) ranked 876th in the league.
That was 872 spots behind Amari Cooper. Amari Cooper?! Yes, that Amari Cooper.
28. David Onyemata
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Position: Defensive tackle
Career: 5 seasons (2016-present)
Team: New Orleans Saints (2016-present)
Current contract: 3 years, $26 million
2020 statistics: 6.5 sacks, 1 interception
Bottom Line
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This one-time mystery draft pick out of the University of Manitoba (Winnipeg) quietly put up career highs in sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hits. He did this at a $3.5 million cap hit, which ranked 38th at the position.
While the late-bloomer appears to have found a home in N’awlins, he’ll be in his early 30s when he hits the open market for the first time.
27. Foley Fatukasi
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Position: Defensive tackle
Career: 3 seasons (2018-present)
Team: New York Jets (2018-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $2.6 million
2020 statistics: 2.0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
Bottom Line
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You may have missed it, but the J-e-t-s took a step forward on defense last season, especially against the run. The uptick started with this 318-pound wide load over the center.
His salary will triple to a more respectable $2.2 million in this final year of his back-loaded contract.
26. Khari Willis
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Position: Strong safety
Career: 2 seasons (2019-20)
Team: Indianapolis Colts (2019-20)
Current contract: 4 years, $3.3 million
2020 statistics: 2 interceptions, 2.0 sacks, 1 total touchdown
Bottom Line
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Don’t you just hate it when some broadcaster asks, “He’s a football player?”
So rather than call this guy a football player, I’ll just say that this $866,776 salary cap hit was one of the biggest bargains in the league last season. He’s already one of the best run-stoppers at the position.
25. Darren Waller
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Position: Tight end
Career: 5 seasons (2015-16, 2018-20)
Teams: Baltimore Ravens (2015-16), Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2018-20)
Current contract: 4 years, $29.8 million
2020 statistics: 1,196 yards from scrimmage, 9 total touchdowns
Bottom Line
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There were times when this Baltimore Ravens reject was the offense last season. Yet eight players at the position made more cash — Jack Doyle, Jimmy Graham and Tyler Higbee, among them. Free agency beckons after the 2023 season.
D Wall fun fact: According to the NFL Next Gen Stats, the 256-pounder was clocked at 21.76 miles per hour on a touchdown pass, the only tight end to crack the top 10 league-wide.
24. Will Fuller
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Position: Wide receiver
Career: 5 seasons (2016-present)
Teams: Houston Texans (2016-20), Miami Dolphins (present)
Current contract: 1 year, $10.6 million
2020 statistics: 879 yards from scrimmage, 8 total touchdowns
Will Fuller
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The successor to DeAndre Hopkins did a pret-ty good impersonation in the first dozen games of last season. Problem was, the four-game suspension that ended his season came at a most inopportune time.
The free agent signed a one-year deal for similar money with the Miami Dolphins after the season. If the guy could only play a full season for once...
23. Travis Kelce
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Position: Tight end
Career: 8 seasons (2013-present)
Team: Kansas City Chiefs (2013-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $57.3 million
2020 statistics: 1,416 yards from scrimmage, 11 total touchdowns
Bottom Line
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Just when one thought the best tight end in football couldn’t put up better numbers, he put up better numbers. Even so, his comparatively modest $9.25 million cash deposit ranked behind George Kittle, Austin Hooper and Hunter Henry at the position.
It won’t be until the final year of his contract (2025) that his salary ($16.25 million) catches up to his current performance level.
22. Rodrigo Blankenship
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Position: Placekicker
Career: 2 seasons (2019-present)
Team: Indianapolis Colts (2019-present)
Current contract: 3 years, $2.3 million
2020 statistics: 32 field goals, .865 field goal percentage
Bottom Line
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Don’t let those dark-rimmed Rec Specs fool ya. The guy has antifreeze in his veins. In games decided by seven points or less last season, the rookie nailed 28 of 30 attempts, 11 of which were field goals.
Not bad for the 32nd highest-paid kicker in the league, ya think?
21. Adrian Phillips
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Position: Free safety
Career: 7 seasons (2014-present)
Teams: San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2014-19), New England Patriots (2019-present)
Current contract: 2 years, $6 million
2020 statistics: 2 interceptions, 1.0 sacks
Bottom Line
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The Patriots secondary was no great shakes last season. Don’t blame this veteran, though. He more than held up his part of the bargain in his debut as a full-time starter.
The Texas product can hit the open market after the 2021 season, but what will the market be for a 30-year-old safety? We shall see . . .
20. Jason Sanders
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Position: Placekicker
Career: 3 seasons (2018-20)
Team: Miami Dolphins (2018-20)
Current contract: 5 years, $22 million
2020 statistics: 36 field goals, .923 field goal percentage
Bottom Line
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His $750,000 cash salary was 26th among kickers last season. I mean, the guy missed three attempts. Total.
The New Mexico product agreed to a long-term contract since then, but by the time the new deal runs its course, he might still be a bargain.
19. Justin Jefferson
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Position: Wide receiver
Career: 1 seasons (2020-present)
Team: Minnesota Vikings (2020-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $13.1 million
2020 statistics: 1,402 yards from scrimmage, 7 total touchdowns
Bottom Line
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It took a fair amount of testosterone to say buh-bye to veteran Stefon Diggs with no proven replacement, but the personnel wonks obviously knew something here.
Not only did this 22-year-old provide similar production in his rookie season, but he did it at about one-sixth the cost. His $2.4 million salary cap hit was a distant 57th among wideouts.
18. Frank Ragnow
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Position: Center
Career: 3 seasons (2018-present)
Team: Detroit Lions (2018-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $11.8 million
2020 team statistics: 30th in rush yards per game, 10th in pass yards per game
Bottom Line
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Hey, look, a Detroit Lion made the list! In the last two seasons, the former first-rounder allowed three sacks in 1,925 snaps. He was whistled for all of three penalties last season when his modest $2.3 million salary cap hit ranked 23rd at the position.
Before the management wonks pay $12.7 million to pick up the fifth year of his deal, they may want to consider a contract extension. Either way, he’s in a good place to become the highest-paid center in the league somewhere.
17. Mark Andrews
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Position: Tight end
Career: 3 seasons (2018-present)
Teams: Baltimore Ravens (2018-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $3.5 million
Statistics: 701 yards from scrimmage, 7 total touchdowns
Bottom Line
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His numbers dipped a bit last season, but if the Ravens had a wide receiver who merited double coverage, they would have been better. Maybe a lot better.
Spotrac has his market value at $11.1 million, more than three times what he’s scheduled to be paid in the 2021 season.
16. A.J. Brown
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Position: Wide receiver
Career: 2 seasons (2019-present)
Team: Tennessee Titans (2019-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $5.7 million
2020 statistics: 1,075 yards from scrimmage, 11 total touchdowns
Bottom Line
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Exactly 138 wide receivers had a higher cash salary than Brown’s $751,926 take last season. Let’s just say, hell will freeze over before you can convince us that all those players are better at the position.
Wait, it gets worse — he won’t become a free agent until after the 2022 campaign.
15. Montez Sweat
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Position: Defensive end
Career: 2 seasons (2019-present)
Team: Washington Football Team (2019-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $11.6 million
2020 statistics: 9.0 sacks, one interception, one total touchdown
Bottom Line
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The team beancounters will have several decisions to make about their young defense in the near future. Here’s one of them. The former first-rounder will get a salary bump to $1.6 million in the season, but at 111th among edge rushers, he remains ridiculously underpaid.
That figures to change in the summer of 2024 when he can become an unrestricted free agent if his deal isn’t extended before then.
14. Taylor Moton
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Position: Offensive right tackle
Career: 4 seasons (2017-20)
Team: Carolina Panthers (2017-present)
Current contract: 1 year, $13.8 million
2020 team statistics: 21st in rush yards per game, 18th in pass yards per game
Bottom Line
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This Western Michigan product was paid all of $1 million and change to serve as the best o-lineman on the Carolina Panthers last season. This came on the heels of solid back-to-back campaigns.
The front office decided to ante up in the off-season when it slapped the franchise tag on the would-be unrestricted free agent. Now that’s more like it.
13. Kamren Curl
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Position: Cornerback
Career: 1 season (2020-present)
Team: Washington Football Team (2020-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $3.4 million
2020 statistics: 3 interceptions, 2.0 sacks
Bottom Line
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If we had a shot at general manager, our dream NFL team would draft at least one pass rusher and cornerback every season. The WFT borrowed this game plan, selected Chase Young in the first round and this Arkansas product in the seventh, and improved by four games.
Now that’s how you build a defense, ladies and gents.
12. Isaiah Wynn
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Position: Offensive left tackle
Career: 2 seasons (2019-present)
Team: New England Patriots (2019-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $11.4 million
2020 team statistics: 29th in rush yards per game, 30th in pass yards per game
Bottom Line
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Guess who said this about the 10th best o-tackle in the league per Pro Football Focus last season: “Isaiah is a good player, does a lot of things well. He’s a very athletic player with very good playing strength and leverage. He’s got good feet, and he’s a smart kid, and he really takes well to coaching and making adjustments and those kinds of things.”
Answer: Coach Bill Belichick. And Mr. Happy shares compliments, well, almost never.
11. Calvin Ridley
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Position: Wide receiver
Career: 3 seasons (2018-present)
Team: Atlanta Falcons (2018-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $10.9 million
2020 statistics: 1,375 yards from scrimmage, 9 total touchdowns
Bottom Line
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Think the Pro Bowl doesn’t mean anything? Because this Alabama product somehow has yet to play in one, he would be paid nearly $3.25 million less in 2022 in the event that team management picked up the fifth season on his deal.
The agreement is almost certain to be extended before then, but for now, the guy is a Blue Light Special.
10. Ryan Succop
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Position: Placekicker
Career: 12 seasons (2009-present)
Teams: Kansas City Chiefs (200-13), Tennessee Titans (2014-19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-present)
Current contract: 3 years, $12 million
2020 statistics: 28 field goals, 31 field goal attempts, .903 field goal percentage
Bottom Line
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Forget Tom Brady and the rest. At least financially, here was the biggest Bucs bargain in their Super Bowl campaign. The veteran was even better in the postseason when he connected on nine field goals in as many tries, three of which either tied the score or gave his team the lead.
Not bad for a guy who was signed off the scrap heap for a mere $1.75 million.
9. Davante Adams
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Position: Wide receiver
Career: 7 seasons (2014-present)
Team: Green Bay Packers (2014-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $58 million
2020 statistics: 1,374 yards from scrimmage, 18 total touchdowns
Bottom Line
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Yo, Aaron Rodgers, we have a Jeopardy answer for you — Davante Adams. Here’s the question: Whose $16.8 million salary cap hit ranked fourth behind Julio Jones, Amari Cooper (Amari Cooper?!) and Allen Robinson among wide receivers last season?
The league leader in touchdowns and pass yards per game (98.1) emerged as the best at his position last season, but he sure as hell wasn’t paid like it.
8. Mike Onwenu
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Position: Guard
Career: 1 season (2000-present)
Team: New England Patriots (2000-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $3.5 million
2020 team statistics: 29th in rush yards per game, 30th in pass yards per game
Bottom Line
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In performance and versatility, this sixth-round draft pick was an absolute steal in his pro debut. The natural guard was forced into duty at right tackle, where Pro Football Focus had him ranked among the top 10 in the league.
The Michigan man also held his own at both guard positions when called upon. Alas, he won’t become an unrestricted free agent until after the 2023 season.
7. Fred Warner
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Position: Inside linebacker
Career: 3 seasons (2018-present)
Team: San Francisco 49ers (2018-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $4 million
2020 statistics: 2 interceptions, 1.0 sacks
Bottom Line
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The former third-round draft pick made a quantum leap last season when he was among the most improved players in the league.
One season remains on his contract, but the smart money says that team management will lock up for the long term sooner than later.
6. Josh Allen
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Position: Quarterback
Career: 3 seasons (2018-present)
Team: Buffalo Bills (2018-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $21.2 million
2020 statistics: .692 completion percentage, 4,977 total yards, 45 total touchdowns
Bottom Line
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This former first-round pick took off last season, and so did his team. Yet no fewer than 29 QBs had higher salary cap hits.
Chill, Bufftown. Team management plans to extend his deal as soon as possible if not earlier. Figure about four years and $168 million.
5. Jessie Bates
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Position: Free safety
Career: 3 seasons (2018-present)
Team: Cincinnati Bengals (2018-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $4.9 million
2020 statistics: 3 interceptions
Bottom Line
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Pro Football Focus had this ball hawk as the highest-rated safety in the league in the 2020 season. It wasn’t a fluke — he picked off three passes in each of the last three seasons. He also had the most pass breakups (15) in the league a year ago.
If his deal isn’t extended before then, the former second-rounder will be in position to cash in after the 2021 season when he can become an unrestricted free agent.
4. Andrew Van Ginkel
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Position: Outside linebacker
Career: 2 seasons (2019-20)
Team: Miami Dolphins (2019-20)
Current contract: 4 years $2.8 million
2020 statistics: 5.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 total touchdown
Bottom Line
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Do these stats look like the 162nd best linebacker in the league? And he was on the field for only 49 percent of the snaps. Yet 162nd is where his $752,695 salary cap hit checked in overall.
The Van man has two years left on his rookie contract.
3. T.J. Watt
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Position: Outside linebacker
Career: 4 seasons (2017-present)
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers (2017-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $9.3 million
2020 statistics: 15.0 sacks, 1 interception
Bottom Line
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The best linebacker in pro football also is its most underpaid from here to Turtle Creek. Spotrac estimates his market value to be $25.4 million per season, which is about 8.6 times more than what he earned a year ago.
His salary cap hit will jump from $2.9 to $10.1 million in the 2021 season, but even that’s an insult to his performance level. It’s past time for the Stillers to pay the man.
2. Wyatt Teller
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Position: Guard
Career: 3 seasons (2018-present)
Teams: Buffalo Bills (2018), Cleveland Browns (2019-present)
Current contract: 4 years, $2.7 million
2020 team statistics: third in rush yards per game, 24th in pass yards per game
Bottom Line
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Who was most responsible for those Nick Chubb blow-bys between the tackles last season? You’re lookin’ at him, bra. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the best at the position. He also had the highest percentage of positive plays.
His cash value will triple to $2.2 million in the season ahead, but consider that it still won’t crack the top 30, that’s still a pittance of what he deserves.
1. Mike Hilton
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Position: Cornerback
Career: 4 seasons (2017-present)
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (2017-2020), Cincinnati Bengals (present)
Current contract: 4 years, $24 million
2020 statistics: 3 interceptions, 3.0 sacks
Bottom Line
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OK, slot defender isn’t the most glam position on the field, but fair is fair. Any core piece of the best pass defense in the league should be compensated like one. Except this Hilton was paid like a Red Roof Inn.
The No. 7 player at the position (per Pro Football Focus) ranked 51st with a $3.3 million cap hit. Since then, the Bengals signed the free agent to a deal that was closer to Marriott level.