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Most underpaid NFL player at every position
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is holding out of training camp due to his displeasure with his contract. Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports

Most underpaid NFL player at every position

Drafting well and finding free agent bargains are key to putting together a viable roster in the NFL given the salary cap. It can help teams acquire gems on the relative cheap, helping alleviate cap pressures to add even more talent. However, this system also means some of the players become highly underpaid compared to their production.

The following features the most underpaid players at every position in the NFL who are sure to be due raises in their next contracts.

 
1 of 22

Quarterback: Dak Prescott, Cowboys

Quarterback: Dak Prescott, Cowboys
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

The Cowboys have quite a salary cap advantage, only taking a $635,000 cap hit with their starting quarterback. Prescott will eventually get paid, but for now Dallas has the advantage of a second-year fourth-round pick starting under center and the small price tag that goes with it.

 
2 of 22

Running back: Jay Ajayi, Dolphins

Running back: Jay Ajayi, Dolphins
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Ajayi had a breakout sophomore season with 1,272 rushing yards for the Dolphins, but he will only be a $670,000 cap hit in 2017. He could build on last season after starting only 12 games.

 
3 of 22

Fullback: John Kuhn, Saints

Fullback: John Kuhn, Saints
Bob DeChiara / USA Today Sports Images

Fullback is one of the cheaper positions for NFL rosters because of the lack of demand, but Kuhn has been one of the most versatile players at the position recently. The former Packer has made three Pro Bowls, but his cap hit is tied for 10th among all fullbacks at $695,000.

 
4 of 22

Wide receiver: Tyreek Hill, Chiefs

Wide receiver: Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Arguably the fastest player in the NFL, Hill contributes in nearly every way possible and is set to become the Chiefs' No. 1 wideout in 2017. The speedy star is still just a $586,000 cap hit after being drafted in the fifth round last year.

 
5 of 22

Wide receiver: Jarvis Landry, Dolphins

Wide receiver: Jarvis Landry, Dolphins
Steve Mitchell / USA Today Sports Images

Landry will make bank after his fourth season, but he's only a $1.1 million cap hit for now. He has at least 84 receptions in all three of his seasons and has consecutive 1,100-yard years for Miami and back-to-back Pro Bowl honors.

 
6 of 22

Tight end: Jesse James, Steelers

Tight end: Jesse James, Steelers
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

James replaced Steelers legend Heath Miller at tight end and did a viable job as a starter last season. The 2015 fifth-round pick is a solid receiver and difficult to match up against with his 6-7 frame while counting about $665,000 against the cap in his rookie deal.

 
7 of 22

Left tackle: Taylor Lewan, Titans

Left tackle: Taylor Lewan, Titans
Joshua Lindsey / USA Today Sports Images

Lewan is one part of a dynamic tackle combo in Tennessee. He made his first Pro Bowl last season, yet he still counts just $3.6 million against the cap in his rookie deal.

 
8 of 22

Right tackle: Jack Conklin, Titans

Right tackle: Jack Conklin, Titans
Cary Edmondson / USA Today Sports Images

The eighth overall pick in the 2016 draft, Conklin showed himself as an elite right tackle in his rookie season. He was named an AP All-Pro but counts just $3.6 million against the cap.

 
9 of 22

Guard: Zack Martin, Cowboys

Guard: Zack Martin, Cowboys
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

A huge part of the Cowboys' elite offensive line, Martin has made three Pro Bowls in three NFL seasons. He's set to be paid soon but will count only $2.8 million against the cap in 2017.

 
10 of 22

Guard: Shaq Mason, Patriots

Guard: Shaq Mason, Patriots
Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today Sports Images

A fourth-round pick in 2015, Mason has been a key starter for a very good New England offensive line recently. Entering his third season, Mason is set to count only about $725,000 against the cap.

 
11 of 22

Center: Cody Whitehair, Bears

Center: Cody Whitehair, Bears
Matt Marton / USA Today Sports Images

Arguably the best center available in last year's draft, the Kansas State alumnus went in the second round and played at an elite level in his rookie season. Still, Whitehair counts less than $1 million against the cap.

 
12 of 22

Defensive end: Joey Bosa, Chargers

Defensive end: Joey Bosa, Chargers
Jake Roth / USA Today Sports Images

Bosa flashed elite ability in his rookie season, recording 10.5 sacks in only 12 games for the Chargers. The third overall draft choice is set to count less than $5.9 million against the cap for play that far exceeds that dollar amount.

 
13 of 22

Defensive end: Mario Addison, Panthers

Defensive end: Mario Addison, Panthers
Jeremy Brevard / USA Today Sports Images

Addison has established himself as an excellent situational pass rusher for the Panthers, notching a career-high 9.5 sacks in 14 games last season. He counts only about $4.3 million against the cap in 2017.

 
14 of 22

Defensive tackle: Aaron Donald, Rams

Defensive tackle: Aaron Donald, Rams
Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

Heading into the fourth season of his rookie deal, Donald is holding out from Rams training camp because of his salary. He has 28 sacks through three seasons from the tackle position but is making just over $3.2 million against the cap. That's an insane bargain for one of the best players in the NFL period.

 
15 of 22

Outside linebacker: Vic Beasley, Falcons

Outside linebacker: Vic Beasley, Falcons
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

The eighth overall pick in the 2015 draft, Beasley led the league with 15.5 sacks last season. He's still counting less than $4 million against the cap in 2017.

 
16 of 22

Outside linebacker: Markus Golden, Cardinals

Outside linebacker: Markus Golden, Cardinals
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

Arizona struck gold with its 2015 second-round pick, as Golden had 12.5 sacks in his sophomore season. The Mizzou alumnus counts just over $1 million against the cap in 2017.

 
17 of 22

Inside linebacker: Jatavis Brown, Chargers

Inside linebacker: Jatavis Brown, Chargers
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Brown looked like a steal in his rookie season for the Chargers. The fifth-round pick played 12 games, starting seven, and finished the year with 76 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He counts less than $600,000 against the cap in 2017.

 
18 of 22

Cornerback: Malcolm Butler, Patriots

Cornerback: Malcolm Butler, Patriots
Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today Sports Images

New England's former Super Bowl hero has become an elite NFL cornerback over the last two years. He had four interceptions and 16 passes defensed last year but is still set to count less than $4 million against the cap this year.

 
19 of 22

Cornerback: Marcus Peters, Chiefs

Cornerback: Marcus Peters, Chiefs
Jeff Curry / USA Today Sports Images

Peters is a lockdown corner and ball hawk, making 14 interceptions in his first two NFL seasons. He will count just over $2.6 million against the cap in 2017 for the Chiefs.

 
20 of 22

Safety: Reshad Jones, Dolphins

Safety: Reshad Jones, Dolphins
Steve Mitchell / USA Today Sports Images

Jones played only six games last season due to injury, but he's still been an elite safety for most of his career. He had 135 tackles and five picks in 2015 and had 51 tackles last season. He's set to count just over $3.7 million against the cap this year.

 
21 of 22

Kicker: Chris Boswell, Steelers

Kicker: Chris Boswell, Steelers
Mark Konezny / USA Today Sports Images

Boswell has been an especially accurate kicker during his two NFL seasons, making nearly 88 percent of his field goals. He will count only $615,000 against the cap in 2017.

 
22 of 22

Punter: Riley Dixon, Broncos

Punter: Riley Dixon, Broncos
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

A seventh-round pick in 2016, Dixon ranked in the top 10 in net punt average during his rookie season. He's counting just $560,000 against the cap this season, ranking 30th at the position.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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