The NFL's Most Underpaid Player at Every Position

Maximizing contractual value is one of the most important aspects of an NFL general manager’s job in the salary-cap era. Finding a way to squeeze in serviceable talent on cheap deals around highly paid stars is what largely separates contenders from pretenders in the modern game.

While having quality players on affordable contracts can strengthen a roster, it can also cause discontent and bitterness for the underpaid talent.

Contract disputes can lead to holdouts and other unwelcome distractions during critical offseason preparation periods—issues the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders are currently trying to navigate with Trey Hendrickson and Terry McLaurin, respectively.

Fortunately for front offices, rookie contract negotiations generally don't result in drama (notwithstanding the growing trend of offset language disputes). Ever since the owners and players agreed to implement scale contracts based on draft slot in 2011, rookie deals quickly began to represent some of the NFL's best bargains.

It should come as no surprise that players still on their first contract now make up the bulk of the league’s most underpaid talent at each position.

While there’s little these players can do to vastly improve their salaries during their initial seasons—although they can achieve performance escalators via playing time milestones and awards—they can at least set themselves up to cash in on a blockbuster extension as soon as they become eligible after their third pro season.

With that in mind, let’s highlight some of the league’s most underpaid players. Each of these names has greatly outperformed their meager salary-cap figure and is trending towards a massive new deal in the coming years.

Salary-cap and contract data courtesy of Spotrac.            

Quarterback: Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Average Annual Salary: $9.4 million

Jayden Daniels resoundingly answered any doubts about his ability to translate his unique dual-threat skill set to the NFL with a truly sensational rookie campaign.

The Washington Commanders received a gargantuan return on their investment of the 2024 No. 2 overall pick, watching as the LSU product led the team to a 12-5 regular-season record (its best since the Super Bowl-winning 1991 campaign) and a wildly unexpected trip to the NFC Championship Game.

With Daniels earning Rookie of the Year honors by completing 69 percent of his throws for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns against just nine interceptions—and adding another 891 yards and six scores on 148 totes—it's clear he's already one of the best quarterbacks the NFL has to offer.

Despite this status, his locked-in rookie deal means he's only ranked No. 27 at his position in terms of average annual value, well behind some players who have made far less impact in recent years such as Daniel Jones ($14 million AAV), Justin Fields ($20 million AAV) and Deshaun Watson ($46 million AAV).

The Commanders have already begun to capitalize on this affordable deal, which runs through the 2028 season, by loading up on veterans such as Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil to make another run.

It's shrewd maneuvering by general manager Adam Peters, who knows he must take advantage of the small window the club has before Daniels goes on to earn what could be a record-setting contract extension well above the $60 million AAV deal Dak Prescott is on.

Running Back: Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Average Annual Salary: $992,000

The Los Angeles Rams have leaned heavily on their starting running backs under head coach Sean McVay.

While the team has cycled through several high-usage rushers during the coach's eight-year tenure, Kyren Williams has put a stranglehold on the backfield over the last two seasons.

The Rams don't have any reason to change things up after the 24-year-old emerged as a bona fide Pro Bowler in just his second season. While he didn't make it back to the Pro Bowl in 2024, he still had a noteworthy campaign in which he posted career highs of 1,299 yards and 14 touchdowns on 316 totes.

With 31 touchdowns across his last 28 games, Williams is a scoring machine who has carved out his place among the NFL's best running backs. Expect the Rams to run him until the wheels fall off, which hopefully won't happen before he signs his second NFL contract.

As of now, Williams isn't even making $1 million per season. Players who haven't seen an NFL field yet—such as Ashton Jeanty ($9 million) and Omarion Hampton ($4.4 million)—are making far more on their new rookie deals.

The 2022 fifth-rounder is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is in line for a major pay bump. Regardless of whether he signs an extension with L.A. or inks a big deal in free agency, Williams could vault from the No. 140 highest-paid RB (out of 184 contracts listed on Spotrac) into the top five.

Wide Receiver: Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Average Annual Salary: $1 million

Puka Nacua was one of the surprise breakout stars of the 2023 NFL season and continued to show why he's one of the league's top up-and-comers last year.

While the 24-year-old couldn't build on the ridiculous 105/1,486/6 stat line he posted as a rookie and missed a second consecutive Pro Bowl nod due to injuries, he still chalked up a notable 79/990/3 line in the 11 games he was healthy for in 2024.  

His accomplishments are made all the more impressive given he was an unheralded fifth-round pick. Even though one would be hard-pressed to name even five receivers better than him going into the 2025 season, he only ranks No. 235 on the list of average annual receiver value due to his Day 3 draft position.

That means Nacua is making nearly 40 times less than Ja'Marr Chase ($40.3 million AAV). He may be far off the top of the earnings chart for now, but it's only a matter of time before he joins the receivers who are pocketing over $30 million per year.

Tight End: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/Butch Dill

Average Annual Salary: $4.5 million

The Las Vegas Raiders hit a home run with their 2024 first-round pick. Although it wasn't the coveted franchise quarterback prospect they were hoping to land, they selected one of the best consolation prizes imaginable in Brock Bowers.

The Georgia product tore up the league despite Vegas' lack of competency under center. He reeled in 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns, becoming the first tight end to surpass Mike Ditka's longstanding rookie receiving yardage record for the position.  

While he may have had a historic opening campaign and begun establishing himself as one of the NFL's potential greats, Bowers is still only the No. 32 highest-paid active tight end.

Not only are megastars such as George Kittle ($19.1 million) and Travis Kelce ($17.1 million) vastly outclassing Bowers' current earnings, but even inconsistent journeymen such as Austin Hooper ($5 million AAV) are making more.

Bowers, 22, may not be handsomely paid quite yet, but don't be surprised when he sets the table for the position with a record-breaking extension as soon as he becomes eligible.

Offensive Tackle: Zach Tom, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

Average Annual Salary: $1 million

The Green Bay Packers maximized the value of the No. 140 pick in 2022, using it on Zach Tom and unearthing a bookend tackle to build around in the process.

After playing part time as a rookie, the 26-year-old became a 17-game starter for the first time in 2023 and continued his iron-man streak last season. He participated in a career-high 1,070 offensive snaps in 2024 and only allowed three sacks across them, earning a remarkable 87.5 grade from Pro Football Focus for his efforts.

Considering Pro Bowl edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr. called Tom the best offensive lineman he's faced, it's painful to realize massively disappointing tackles such as Dan Moore Jr. are taking home 20 times what Tom is on his current deal.

Tom rates No. 141 of 229 in terms of AAV at his position, but one of the better up-and-coming talents in the offensive trenches will soon be earning far more.

While he may not command the same salary as Tristan Wirfs ($28.1 million) or Penei Sewell ($28 million) at the negotiating table, he should easily join the small group of tackles making $20 million or more per year when the ink dries.

Interior Offensive Linemen: Alijah Vera-Tucker, New York Jets

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Average Annual Salary: $4 million

Alijah Vera-Tucker lined up all over the offensive line during his time playing college ball at USC and has continued to display that versatility during his time in the pros.

The 26-year-old has adeptly answered the call regardless of where the New York Jets have slotted him, assigning him to both guard spots and right tackle at various points over his first four years in the league.

Because he has proved capable of holding his own just about anywhere in the offensive trenches, Vera-Tucker is one of the biggest values in football. He's only the No. 112 highest-paid offensive lineman, making a shade under $4 million per year.

Vera-Tucker is due for a pay bump, but his salary could still remain a significant value going forward. Spotrac only expects the stud O-lineman to earn just $11 million per season on his next deal—a fantastic bargain if he can stay healthy after missing 25 games thus far.

Edge-Rusher: Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Average Annual Salary: $3.8 million

It was tempting to put Aidan Hutchinson in this spot, but the Detroit Lions star's $8.9 million AAV, coupled with him missing 12 contests last season, makes that rookie contract slightly less of an albatross than Jared Verse's deal.

Verse rates a mere 90th in contract value among edge-rushers, an incredibly low number given the on-field value he provided as a rookie.

The No. 19 overall pick last year had a dominant season, starting 16 of the 17 games he was available for while playing a whopping 75 percent of L.A.'s defensive snaps.

His 66-tackle, 4.5-sack, 2-forced fumble stat line may not jump off the page, but Defensive Rookie of the Year voters recognized Verse was a game-changer thanks to his 77 pressures—a lofty number that ranked fourth among defensive linemen and linebackers in 2024—and ridiculous 17.1 percent pressure rate that stood a cut above other high-usage pass-rushers.

Verse's presence helped stabilize a Rams pass-rushing unit that took a major blow in the form of Aaron Donald's retirement. While the Florida State product isn't a direct heir to the generational superstar, he'll be a key piece in the defensive trenches for years to come.

Defensive Tackle: Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Average Annual Salary: $5.5 million

The Philadelphia Eagles leveraged one of the most ferocious defensive fronts the league has seen into a Super Bowl victory last season. At the center of it all was Jalen Carter, the team's standout defensive tackle who changes the game with his presence.

The 24-year-old emerged as a full-time starter during his stellar sophomore campaign. While he only amassed 4.5 sacks (down from six as a rookie), he earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors for his consistency throughout the 831 offensive snaps he saw the field for across 16 regular-season contests.

While he was an integral part of the Lombardi Trophy-winning effort, he's being paid like a replaceable backup. His contract ranks just 43rd among interior defensive linemen, well behind position leader Chris Jones and his historic $31.8 million AAV deal.

If he continues on his current trajectory, it would be shocking if Carter doesn't become the second defensive tackle to breach the $30 million mark.

Linebacker: Jack Campbell

AP Photo/Scot Tucker

Average Annual Salary: $3.7 million

Jack Campbell may have gotten off to a relatively slow start to his NFL career, but the 2023 first-round pick blossomed in Year 2.

The 24-year-old proved to be the perfect man to lead a gritty Detroit Lions defense, elevating his coverage capabilities in 2024 to match the run-stuffing prowess he displayed from the jump.

Already one of the most well-rounded interior linebackers in the league, Campbell is poised to build upon an impressive campaign in which he registered 131 tackles, five pass defenses, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

If the Iowa product continues to dominate for a Lions squad that has become a perennial Super Bowl contender, he’s almost certain to earn a massive raise over a contract that currently only ranks No. 80 among the league's linebackers.

Just two off-ball linebackers (Roquan Smith and Fred Warner) are making $20 million or more per season, but Campbell is on track to join that exclusive club.

Cornerback: Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/David Dermer

Average Annual Salary: $3.5 million

Few corners have started their careers as red-hot as Trent McDuffie has.

The Kansas City Chiefs thrust the 2022 first-rounder directly into the line of fire, starting him for 11 games as a rookie and using him to help lock down opposing receivers on their way to a Super Bowl victory.

That experience paid off in 2023, when he elevated himself to an All-Pro level and helped the Chiefs defend their title.

While the 24-year-old may have taken the slightest of steps back in 2024—only managing to make second-team All-Pro—he still recorded the first two NFL interceptions and posted a career-high 13 pass defenses while matching up against some of the league's top receiving talent.

Kansas City is going to have to back up the Brinks truck to keep him around beyond the 2026 campaign.

Although he's already a top-three corner in the league, 50 other players at the position are playing on contracts worth more than McDuffie's. Derek Stingley Jr. ($30 million AAV) set the market for top-tier corners this offseason, and the Chiefs star could eclipse that mark when he inks his own extension.

Safety: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Average Annual Salary: $4 million

The league's best safety is far from its highest-paid safety.

Kyle Hamilton proved he is the cream of the crop by excelling at both the free and strong safety positions (as well as some nickel cornerback) during a magnificent 2024 campaign.

After opening the year working around the box and covering slot receivers, the 24-year-old then shifted back and continued his excellence in that spot.

There's not much Hamilton can't provide on defense for the Baltimore Ravens, the franchise that lucked into him with the No. 14 overall pick in 2022.

He's as good against the run as he is covering receivers and can also disrupt in the backfield on the blitz. He's earned back-to-back Pro Bowl nods and was a first-team All-Pro in 2023 and a second-team All-Pro this past season.

With career numbers of 250 tackles, 27 pass defenses, five interceptions and four forced fumbles, the Notre Dame product is clearly one of the game’s elite players and should soon be rewarded as such financially. 

Expect Hamilton to build upon the $21 million floor that both Kerby Joseph and Antoine Winfield Jr. recently set with their contract extensions.