Most overpaid, underpaid players in AFC West

Most underpaid: Alex Singleton, linebacker |  Singleton's 2023 cap hit is only $3.3M, 58th among LBs. Denver is getting a bargain with this tackling machine. Over the past three seasons, he has logged the league's third-most tackles (257). Jacksonville's Foyesade Oluokun (308) and Baltimore's Roquan Smith (296) are the only players with more tackles, and they make much more. Smith earns $20M annually while Oluokun makes $15M annually. Singleton, meanwhile, earns $6M annually.

Kansas City Chiefs 

Most overpaid: Justin Reid, safety |  Reid's 2023 cap hit is $12.7M, seventh among safeties and higher than Pro Bowlers Derwin James Jr. of the Chargers and Minkah Fitzpatrick of the Steelers.  Reid, who has never made a Pro Bowl, underperformed last season. In 17 games, he had no interceptions and allowed a 106.1 passer rating in coverage — the second-highest figure in his career — per Pro Football Reference.

Most underpaid: Isiah Pacheco, running back |  Only entering his second season, the 251st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has a bright future. The 24-year-old started 11 games last season, rushing for 830 yards and five touchdowns. He also registered 76 rushing yards and a TD in the Chiefs' 38-35 Super Bowl LVII victory over the Eagles. Pacheco's 2023 cap hit is only $889.7K, 111th among RBs. Kansas City should feel lucky if he becomes an elite playmaker. He's a steal. 

Las Vegas Raiders

Most overpaid: Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback |  Garoppolo's 2023 cap hit is $23.8M, fifth among QBs. Given his injury history, this is a massive overpay by the Raiders. Garoppolo missed 31 games over the past five seasons with injuries, including an ACL tear and a high ankle sprain. A broken left foot suffered late last season kept him sidelined during OTAs and mandatory mini-camp, which is a red flag.

Most underpaid: Daniel Carlson, kicker |  Carlson registered the fourth-best field-goal percentage in the league (93 percent) over the past three seasons, and in 2022, he earned a first-team All-Pro nod. 

Baltimore's Justin Tucker has the highest cap hit ($5.9M) among kickers in 2023. Carlson, however, has made more field goals (107) than Tucker (98) over the past three seasons and has a $4.2M cap hit. Carlson deserves more.  

Los Angeles Chargers

Most overpaid: J.C. Jackson, cornerback |  Jackson's 2023 cap hit ($17M) is the highest on the Chargers and third among CBs. He missed most of the season with a tear in his right knee. In the five games he played, he allowed a 149.3 passer rating in coverage in five games, the highest mark of his career. Jackson must rebound this season to prove to Los Angeles he's not a declining player.

Most underpaid: Justin Herbert, quarterback |  The Chargers are lucky Herbert's still on his rookie contract because he's worth far more than they're paying him. Herbert's 2023 cap hit ($8.5M) is 21st among QBs, and his average annual salary ($6.6M) is 26th. In his first three seasons, Herbert threw for 14,089 passing yards, an NFL record, and 94 TDs, the second most behind Hall of Famer Dan Marino. It's only a matter of time before he receives a colossal extension, especially if he inserts himself into the 2023 MVP discussion.