NFL Free Agency 2013: Players Who Will Get so Much More Than They're Worth

The NFL world is buzzing with rumors about free agents and the teams that are showing interest in them. Though many players will prove well worth the money they get with their contracts, there are a few that will luck out and score contracts much heftier than they deserve. Let’s take a look at three of them.

Tight end Jared Cook is coming off of a pretty good season with the Tennessee Titans, grabbing four touchdowns in 2012. He’s also a unique player in that he has size and speed; Cook is 6’5’’ and 250 pounds, but he can run a 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds.

Yet, Cook doesn’t seem worth what rumors project him to earn. According to Rotoworld.com, Cook could grab between $8 and $10 million annually, which is a steep price for a tight end who only had 44 receptions last season and totals only eight touchdowns in his entire career.

Danny Amendola is another player who doesn’t seem to be good enough for the rumored salary he could grab after four seasons with the Rams. According to NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling, the Philadelphia Eagles are seriously interested in the wide receiver, and the New England Patriots may even be in the running to make Amendola Wes Welker’s backup. Amendola is reportedly looking for some where around $6 million annually.

Amendola’s problem lies in the fact that he’s injury-prone for a 27-year-old. He missed five games last year and has missed 22 games in his entire career due to injury. It doesn’t matter how good he is or how strong he could be; an injury-prone player is unreliable and could be a serious waste of money if he continues to get hurt.

Finally, there’s linebacker Paul Kruger who could reportedly cause a bidding war between the Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts. According to Dan Hanzus of NFL.com, Kruger is expected to grab between $10 and $12 million annually, and a bidding war could surely drive his price to the upper limit of this interval.

Moreover, Ravens Insider Aaron Wilson reported via Twitter Tuesday morning, “Sources say Browns are closing in on their target: Ravens pass rushing outside linebacker Paul Kruger.”

The 27-year-old linebacker is coming from Baltimore, which means he looks more appealing with a Super Bowl win under his belt. Yet, he only has six starts in his regular season career, meaning Kruger is not a star player. As Bryan Manning on Bleacher Report says, “[Kruger] is solid in every phase of the game, but not outstanding in any one facet.” And, a player who is not “outstanding” does not really merit an outstanding contract of $10 or more million dollars per year.