It is common to hear about huge contracts in the NFL, often followed by complaints over the lofty salaries. Then there are the players that complain about being underpaid...one such athlete holds the first slide in this article.
Comments about players that claim to be under-paid are even more critical, as the average American finds it difficult to sympathize with someone making $500,000 a year.
Looking at the 2011 season, this list will discuss 25 players who provide huge value for their owners and fan bases. It won't use the term under-paid, though.
What it will do is focus on players being paid very little compared to their counterparts, yet producing at a superior level. So while an argument can be made that Brandon Lloyd provides fantastic value for his $1.4 million contract, there are other players that will post similar numbers at a far lower dollar amount.
There is one caveat...the 2011 NFL rookie class is not eligible for this list. In part, the new rookie wage scale would help them dominate the list based upon their anticipated output. The last part of that sentence is the bigger issue, though.
The rookie class is not proven in the NFL. Since there is no actual production with which to gauge them, they will have to wait to make this list.
Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans: $800,000
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Perhaps this isn't a fair addition, as Chris Johnson isn't currently playing in the NFL...and isn't likely to play under his current contract. For that reason I'll start with Johnson.
He signed a five-year, $12 million contract in 2008. In addition to the $800,000 salary, he received $6.25 million in bonuses the first three seasons, and would receive $2.2 million in 2012.
Johnson has rushed for more yards than any other NFL ball carrier since then, totaling 4,598 yards. He is looking for $10 million per year with $30+ million in guaranteed money.
The problem for Johnson is that while he did rush for 2,000 yards with a 5.6 YPC average in 2009, his production plummeted from Superman to simply very good in 2010.
His yards from scrimmage dropped by 900 yards. His yards per carry fell to 4.3, while his yards per reception fell from 10.1 to 5.6. He is asking for a contract near the top play-makers, but his current production didn't support the request.
Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants: $575,000
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Hakeem Nicks posted a 1,000 yard season in 2010. His salary for 2011 is a paltry $575,000. His cap number is higher than that, though, as he received a $6.5 million signing bonus over a five-year contract.
His average salary over the deal is $2.1 million per season, which is still a great value for a player expected to be a No. 1 receiver.
Carlos Dunlap, DL, Cincinnati Bengals: $405,000
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Carlos Dunlap's four-year, $3 million contract included a $1.2 million signing bonus.
Dunlap had a slow start to his career but gained a better grasp of the NFL as the season progressed. He finished the year with 9.5 sacks, setting a rookie record for the Bengals.
As long as Dunlap is able to get in the needed snaps, expectations for him are high. His role in 2011 is still uncertain, though.
Curtis Lofton, LB, Atlanta Falcons: $602,000
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Curtis Lofton has 195 tackles over the past two seasons and is the heart of the Falcons defense. He will be a free agent in 2012 and will be a sought-after commodity.
Clay Matthews, LB, Green Bay Packers: $660,000
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Clay Matthews' contract will pay him more than the $660,000 base salary in 2011. In total, his five-year deal could pay him just under $10 million.
Even at $2 million a season, Matthews is still a great value. He has two Pro Bowl nods in two seasons, and was a First-Team All-Pro. Considering lesser players are making three times what Matthews is earning, it is hard to argue against his inclusion on this list.
Jerod Mayo, LB, New England Patriots: $600,000
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While Jerod Mayo's base salary is just $600,000 for 2011, he signed a five-year, $18.9 million contract in 2008.
Still, an average salary of about $3.75 million for one of the better linebackers in the league is a very good value. He was a First-Team All-Pro selection, and several more Pro Bowls figure to be on his horizon.
Cameron Wake, LB, Miami Dolphins: $480,000
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I almost overlooked Cameron Wake in this article. That would have been a huge oversight.
In one start as a rookie in 2009, and seeing playing time in 13 other games, Wake had 5.5 sacks. Wake added 14 sacks last season, starting all 16 games. He was named to the Pro Bowl.
His four-year rookie contract is slated to pay him $2.3 million. He could make an additional $2.5 million in incentives.
Alterraun Verner, CB, Tennessee Titans: $405,000
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All-terrain vehic...sorry...Alterraun Verner...is one of the more promising young corners in the NFL. He had three interceptions in 12 starts last season, and could very well be the NFL's next shut-down corner.
Earl Thomas, FS, Seattle Seahawks: $625,000
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Perhaps it isn't fair to include Earl Thomas on this list, as he is scheduled to be paid $21 million over five years.
However, his $625,000 salary is a bargain for the safety that had five interceptions in 2010. He is the most highly-touted free safety in the league, and projects to be a Pro Bowl representative in the very near future.
Tanard Jackson, FS, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $550,000
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Tanard Jackson's 2011 salary is $550,000, but he'll make a bit less than that. He missed the 2010 season after being suspended for his second violation of the league's substance abuse policy. He won't be eligible to return until after Week 3.
Jackson was showing great promise and was a critical piece of the Tampa Bay secondary. If he is able to return, and return to form, he offers great production for his contract.
Jared Veldheer, OT, Raiders: $405,000
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Jared Veldheer was a wavering talent during the 2010 NFL draft. I had him projected as a second-round talent, while some boards had him projected much later. The Oakland Raiders made one of their best draft-day decisions in years, grabbing him in the third round.
He moved from the interior of the line, as the Raiders were solid in the middle. He took over as the starting tackle early in the season, becoming a vital cog in the Raiders' productive run game.
Rodger Saffold, OT, St. Louis Rams: $405,000
Saffold burst onto the scene for the Rams in 2010...
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Rodger Saffold was an uncertain draft prospect in 2010. He had some consideration as a late first-round pick but fell to the Rams with the 33rd pick. They leaped at the opportunity.
Saffold will make $6.3 million over four seasons. Most of that was paid in his rookie year, and his annual salary through 2013 makes him one of the biggest steals in the NFL.
Pierre Garcon, WR, Indianapolis Colts: $555,000
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Pierre Garcon has been a solid contributor for the Colts. He is in the final year of his contract and will be playing for relative peanuts this season.
Jacoby Ford, WR, Oakland Raiders: $405,000
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The Raiders have found several ways to incorporate Jacoby Ford into their offense. Playing under a four-year, $2.25 million contract is great motivation for Al Davis to continue to capitalize on his services.
At this point Ford is mostly promise, but the way he improved last season supports the assertion.
DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles: $600,000
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DeSean Jackson has averaged over 1,000 receiving yards over the last three seasons. His $600,000 salary is a huge bargain for the Eagles...but they can expect Jackson to make them pay in 2012.
Jackson's special teams contributions should also be noted. He has shown talent returning punts, including four returned for TDs in three seasons.
Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: $480,000
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In just two seasons, Mike Wallace is emerging as an elite WR. He averages over 20 YPC and had over 1,250 yards last season. He also notched 10 TDs in his sophomore campaign.
Wallace has stated he would like to surpass 2,000 yards receiving. It seems just a touch lofty, even if he maintains his average yards per catch.
Even if Wallace falls well short of his goal and "only" gets to 1,500 yards, he'll be about the best value at the WR position in the NFL.
Josh Freeman, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $940,000
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Freeman is one of the more promising young quarterbacks in the NFL. In his sophomore season he had a QB rating of 95.9, throwing for 3,451 yards and 25 TDs with just six INTs.
This is the only year Freeman will make this list, though, as his salary will skyrocket to over $6.5 million in 2012.
Chris Ivory, RB, New Orleans Saints: $405,000
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Chris Ivory's status for 2011 is still uncertain as he recovers from a late-season injury. Assuming he is able to play, and can get a share of the carries in a crowded Saints backfield, Ivory is a tremendous value.
Ivory signed a three-year, $1.2 million contract after the 2010 draft. Including his pro-rated signing bonus, his 2011 salary is still under $407,000. Yes...he was given an insulting $5,000 as a signing bonus.
Colt McCoy, QB, Cleveland Browns: $405,000
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This placement is contingent upon Colt McCoy being able to produce at the level expected of him based on his truncated rookie season. McCoy will earn just under $5 million over four seasons.
McCoy also received a $751,000 signing bonus and will earn $490,000 in 2012.
Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens: $555,000
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Ray Rice is another running back from the 2008 draft playing for the league minimum and awaiting a huge contract at the end of the 2011 season.
The one drawback in Rice's numbers is a lack of scoring. He has just 14 TDs the last two years. However, his 2,559 rushing yards (4.5 YPC) and 1,258 yards catching passes (8.8 YPC) during that time earned him a Pro Bowl bid.
Rice will be a free agent in 2012, making him one of many running backs that will hit the market. The Ravens will have to make some decisions, as Haloti Ngata will also be a free agent next season.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers: $612,500
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Rashard Mendenhall signed a five-year, $10 million contract in 2008. He's earned every penny of that contract...particularly over the last two seasons.
While he hasn't been a force in the receiving game, he has totaled over 2,300 yards the last two seasons. His 4.2 yards per carry isn't one of the more impressive totals in the league, but he has notched 21 TDs.
Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears: $555,000
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Matt Forte and the Chicago Bears are working on a new contract, but the two sides are reportedly far apart in their expectations.
Forte has over 3,200 yards rushing in three seasons. He has another 1,500 yards receiving and 25 TDs. He's been the most consistent part of the Bears offense and deserves a big contract.
Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns: $555,000
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To be fair, prior to the 2010 season Peyton Hillis had under 400 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Then came his breakout performance in his third season, where he amassed 1,177 yards rushing, 477 receiving yards and 13 TDs.
Hillis was rewarded with the Madden '12 cover, and can also be expected to get a big contract for the 2012 season.
Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans: $525,000
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Arian Foster will play the 2011 NFL season under an exclusive rights free agent tag, which is the NFL's version of an indentured servant. No other teams can negotiate with him, meaning he has no real option other than playing for the league minimum.
Foster led the league in rushing yards (1,616), yards from scrimmage (2,220) and rushing TDs (16) last season.
Having a First-Team All-Pro at a skilled position playing for the league minimum is a huge coup for the Texans. However, they might want to avoid the Chris Johnson situation and offer Foster some security. They would be risking Foster's ability to duplicate his performance, but it seems to be a solid gamble.
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