
The NFL wage cap creates challenges as groups attempt to construct a championship squad. Here’s a glance at among the most overpaid and underpaid players at every position getting into the 2022 season. Salaries are based mostly on cap hits from Spotrac.com.
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The fifteenth general draft alternative in 2021, Jones made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season after throwing for over 3,800 yards. Still, on his rookie deal, Jones provides the Pats flexibility with a cap hit simply above $3.5 million this season.

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Tannehill’s play has been inconsistent since he was named the Titans starter in 2019 and is at the pinnacle of a run-heavy offense. Yet, he has the highest cap hit within the NFL this season at $38.6 million, a quantity that restricted Tennessee’s skill so as to add expertise within the offseason.

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An undrafted free agent out of Illinois State in 2020, Robinson continues to be one of many league’s greatest bargains with a cap hit slightly below $900,000. The working again fell simply in need of 1,000 yards from scrimmage final season after ending with 1,414 yards in his rookie marketing campaign.

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One of the most dynamic working backs within the NFL when wholesome, McCaffrey has spent extra time on the coach’s desk over the past two seasons. He’s performed a complete of 10 video games over that point, however his cap hit of almost $8.8 million this season is the fifth highest at the position.

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Jefferson has arguably one of the best first two seasons of any wideout in NFL historical past, accumulating over 3,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. The former first-round choose stays an enormous cut price with a cap quantity beneath $3.6 million.

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Golladay signed a large four-year, $72 million contract with the Giants final season, however he was an entire dud in his first season with the workforce. His cap hit shall be over $21.1 million this season, and New York wants higher than final yr’s 37 catches for 521 yards and 0 touchdowns.

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Freiermuth appeared like a steal for the Steelers in his rookie season, because the second-round choose caught 60 passes for 497 yards and 7 touchdowns. His rookie deal necessitates solely a cap hit close to $1.4 million this yr.
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Overpaid tight finish: Jonnu Smith, New England Patriots

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New England’s signing of Smith did not work out in his first season with the workforce. The former Titan had solely 28 catches for 294 yards final yr, however his cap hit close to $13.7 million this yr is the second-highest within the league amongst tight ends.

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A primary-round rookie final yr, it did not take lengthy for Slater to be acknowledged among the many elite tight ends within the recreation as a Pro Bowler. He’s solely a $3.8 million cap hit for the Chargers this season.

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Stanley was an All-Pro in 2019, however he is been unable to remain wholesome since then, enjoying a complete of seven video games in two seasons. He’s nonetheless making a reasonably penny, with a cap hit of over $18.5 million this yr.

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Smith dropped to the sixth spherical of final yr’s draft attributable to well being issues regardless of his standing as a former elite recruit at Tennessee. He rewarded Kansas City for taking the danger as a mauling guard, and his cap hit is about $850,000 this season.

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Seattle acquired Jackson to strengthen their offensive line final yr, however he struggled for a lot of the season. Despite these struggles, Jackson is among the many high paid guards within the league with a cap hit of $9 million this season.

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A second-round choose final yr, Humphrey had a outstanding rookie season as an All-Pro who completed third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. The middle can have a cap hit underneath $1.3 million.

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Hudson had a forgettable first season in Arizona, lacking 5 video games and struggling at occasions when he did play. The three-time Pro Bowler has the biggest cap hit at his position of over $12.6 million.

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Greenard’s play has helped Texans followers recover from the lack of J.J. Watt, as he recorded eight sacks and 19 pressures in solely 12 video games final season. The former third-round choose has a cap hit of round $1.2 million this yr.
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Overpaid defensive finish: J.J. Watt, Arizona Cardinals

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The aforementioned Watt went to Arizona for an opportunity to win final yr. He’s set to have a cap variety of $15.9 million this season, however Watt has been unable to remain wholesome in 4 of the final six seasons. He performed solely seven video games final yr, recording one sack.

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Simmons is rapidly turning into a famous person on the Titans’ line of defense, making the Pro Bowl in his third season with 8.5 sacks and 54 tackles. Tennessee nonetheless has Simmons on his rookie deal for now, as his cap quantity is simply over $4 million.

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Detroit added Brockers final yr however did not see nice outcomes. The veteran had just one sack and 5 pressures in 16 video games, however his cap hit is hefty close to $9 million this yr.

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Gary had a breakout season in 2021, his third yr within the league. The former first-round choose recorded 9.5 sacks and 20 hurries, and his cap quantity stays round $5 million this season.
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Overpaid outdoors linebacker: Romeo Okwara, Detroit Lions

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Detroit signed Okwara to a three-year, $37 million contract final season, however already may have purchaser’s regret. He performed solely 4 video games attributable to damage in 2021, recording one sack. Okwara’s cap hit is $14.5 million.

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Parsons jumpstarted the Cowboys’ protection after he was chosen within the first spherical of the draft, with 84 tackles and 13 sacks. He was remarkably the Defensive Rookie of the Year, and likewise completed second in Defensive Player of the Year balloting. Parsons is locked up for at least the subsequent three years and has a comparatively low cost cap hit of $3.9 million this season.
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Overpaid inside linebacker: Devin Bush, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Bush acquired the ire of Steelers trustworthy together with his struggles final season coming off a knee damage. He recorded solely 70 tackles in 14 video games and has a cap hit of $6 million in what may very well be his last season with the workforce.

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Diggs was a breakout performer for Dallas final season, main the NFL with 11 interceptions and being named an All-Pro. He’s solely getting into his third yr, with a cap hit of about $1.7 million.

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Jackson had a really tough go in his first season with Washington after signing a three-year, $40.5 million contract. He performed solely 12 video games and allowed an opposing QB Rating above 100. Jackson’s cap quantity is above $13.8 million this season.

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Winfield has been an elite performer because the Bucs drafted him in 2020. He was an All-Pro in his rookie season and was named to his first Pro Bowl final season after recording 88 tackles and two interceptions. Winfield enters his third season with a cap hit underneath $2 million.

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Jackson was an elite performer early in his profession, together with an All-Pro designation and two Pro Bowls. The final two years have seen his play deteriorate, as he allowed a 143.6 QB Rating and 66% completion fee to opposing quarterbacks in 2021. Jackson’s cap hit is above $15 million this yr.