The most overpaid & underpaid NFL players at every position

Nix had an outstanding rookie season after being drafted 12th overall in 2024. Denver has time to take advantage of his cheap rookie contract, and his cap hit is just over $4.2 million this season.

Even before rupturing his Achilles last season, Watson was seen as a clear bust contract for the Browns. He signed an unprecedented, fully guaranteed five-year deal worth $230 million in 2022, and his cap hits over the next two seasons are $36 million and nearly $81 million. During his three seasons on the field with the team, Watson was 9-10 as a starter with a poor 80.7 Passer Rating.

Irving was a great find out of the 2024 draft for the Bucs. The fourth-round pick had more than 1,500 yards from scrimmage, and his cap hit this season is set to be just over $1.5 million.

Mixon helped the Texans offense in his first season with the team in 2024, but he received a substantial raise this season only to be sidelined due to injury. His cap hit is more than $9.4 million this year.

McConkey was a terrific find for Jim Harbaugh and company last season as a second-round pick. The former Georgia star had 82 catches for 1,149 yards and seven scores as a rookie, and his cap hit will be less than $2.3 million this season.

Atwell's one-year, $10 million contract, signed last offseason, was a bit of a head scratcher considering he's never had 600 receiving yards in a season. He's down in the pecking order behind Davante Adams and Puka Nacua.

The Lions still have the benefit of one of the top tight ends in the game on a rookie deal. The 2023 second-round pick has a cap hit of nearly $2.6 million this season, and scored 17 times over his first two seasons.

Hill's contract was a stretch even before he suffered a torn ACL last December. The 35-year-old showed signs of age last season and is in the final year of a contract in which he has a cap hit of more than $14.2 million this season.

Alt has shifted from right tackle to left tackle this season due to injuries on the Chargers offensive line, and the 2024 first-round pick has been dominant. His cap hit is still over $7.5 million, but that still puts him well outside the top 10 at the position.

Still the highest-paid right tackle in the league, Taylor has frustrated Chiefs fans with constant penalties since his arrival in 2023. He committed 30 total over his first two seasons with the team, and had six in only the team's first three games this year. Taylor's cap hit is nearly $27.4 million this season.

Ratledge has been terrific early as a rookie second-round pick for the Lions. The Georgia alum is signed for four seasons and has a cap hit of under $1.4 million this season.

Ruiz is a former first-round pick in his third season and has struggled at times. He has a cap hit of nearly $5.9 million this season, just outside the top-10 guards.

Bortolini has stepped in admirably as Indy's starting center this season after serving as a role player last year. The fourth-round pick is off to a great start to the season, and his cap hit is less than $1.2 million.

The highest-paid center in the league, Cushenberry, has struggled at times for the Titans. His cap hit is nearly $14.3 million, and Tennessee has an out after this season.

The 19th overall draft choice in 2024, Verse won Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 66 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 18 quarterback hits. He's hoping to build on that performance this season, and his cap hit is under $3.5 million.

Reddick is hoping to rebound with the Bucs this season after a lost 2024, but the early returns haven't been great. After recording only one sack in 10 games with the Jets last season, the former Pro Bowler has one sack in his first three games as a Buccaneer. His cap hit is nearly $13.2 million this season.

Laulu was a diamond in the rough in last year's draft as a seventh-round pick out of Oklahoma. While he was waived by the Colts, Laulu found a home in Las Vegas. He started seven games as a rookie and recorded three sacks through his first three games this season. Laulu's cap hit is less than $1 million this season.

Hamilton received a huge raise this season, his sixth year with the Jaguars. His cap hit is more than $10.8 million, but he's been somewhat unproductive on the interior of Jacksonville's defensive line.

After joining the Dolphins mid-season, Dodson has thrived as a starter for the Team. He leads the league in solo tackles through three weeks after recording more than 100 combined tackles last season, and his cap hit is just over $2.5 million.

Overcoming one injury after another, Milano hasn't been the same player early this season that we've seen in the past. He played a combined nine games over the last two seasons for Buffalo, and his cap hit of nearly $12.2 million is massive for his position.

Howie Roseman and company continue to draft well on defense, and Campbell is the latest example. The 31st overall pick in the draft has already made an impact with 18 tackles in three games, and his cap hit is just over $2.7 million.

New England overpaid to attract talent this offseason, including Spillane. The former Raider was among the league leaders in tackles over the last two seasons, but he's off to a slow start this year. His cap hit is more than $9 million this season.

Finding defensive backs in the draft has been a strength of the Bucs for years, and Parrish appears to be the newest example. The third-round pick has shone in his career both in coverage and as a blitzer. His cap hit is just over $1.5 million this season.

The Titans might have buyer's remorse after trading for Sneed last year and signing him to a massive extension. The former Chief played only five games last season and has been burned multiple times early this year. He got a huge raise this season, with a cap hit of nearly $22.6 million.

A second-round pick in 2023, Branch has quickly emerged as an elite safety. He made the Pro Bowl last season, recording 109 tackles and 16 passes defensed. His cap hit remains a reasonable $2.2 million.

Byard has a strong track record now in his 10th NFL season with two Pro Bowls, but he's struggled in coverage as a member of the Bears. His cap hit is $8.5 million this season, ranking 14th among safeties.