The NFL's Most Overpaid Player at Every Position

Some of the highest-paid NFL players aren't the biggest stars or the most productive on the field. If an agent wins at the negotiating table, teams will overpay for average talent.

Every offseason, clubs overvalue free agents. One or two years later, those players are back on the open market.

We highlighted the most overpaid player at every position as an early warning for general managers who overspent this year and a reminder of the mistakes front offices made in the past.

These selections are mostly based on this year's cash salaries for a clear understanding of what these high-paid players are set to make in 2026. In some cases, a player's inflated 2026 cap hit was also taken into consideration.

We compared a player's cash earnings and cap hit to those of others at their position via Spotrac's contract rankings.

This list excludes rookies who are slotted into a pay wage scale in accordance with the league's collective bargaining agreement.

Quarterback: Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

2026 cash salary: $46 million

Cash rank among QBs: 9th

Last offseason, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam admitted that the team whiffed on the Deshaun Watson trade from 2022, which continues to cost the club a large cash sum.

Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot picked up the telling quote from Haslam.

"We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun. We thought we had the quarterback, we didn't and we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. So we've got to dig ourselves out of that hole. (It) was an entire organization decision and it ends with Dee and I, so hold us accountable." 

In three years with the Browns, Watson has missed 32 games because of a suspension and multiple injuries. Now, he's not even a surefire starter ahead of training camp.

According to The Athletic's Zac Jackson, Watson lacked consistency through organized team activities (OTAs) while in a competition with Shedeur Sanders for the lead position.

Among the top-10 highest-paid quarterbacks in cash, Watson could open the 2026 season as a backup behind Sanders, who fell to the fifth round in the 2025 draft. Nonetheless, he's unlikely to justify his 2026 salary even if he does start this year.

Running Back: RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara

2026 cash salary: $11.5 million

Cash rank among RBs: T-9th

Last season, Alvin Kamara showed signs of decline in his play, during which he accumulated a career-low 657 scrimmage yards and scored one touchdown. Moreover, the 30-year-old has missed 13 games over the previous three terms and earned his last Pro Bowl nod in 2021. 

The New Orleans Saints cast uncertainty around Kamara's short-term future when they signed running back Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year, $48 million deal.

According to ESPN's Katherine Terrell, Kamara's contract situation will dictate whether he remains on the Saints roster.

"The Saints need to address his $11.5 million salary this summer before the 30-year-old's roster spot is secure," Terrell wrote. 

Although Kamara is beloved within the Saints' fanbase, it's clear that he's on the downside of his career. The nine-year veteran will likely need to take a pay cut to remain with the team because of his recent availability issues and diminished production from the previous campaign.

Wide Receiver: Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Kayla Wolf

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson

2026 cash salary: $34.8 million

Cash rank among WRs: 3rd

As one of the biggest winners of free agency this offseason, Christian Watson signed a four-year extension worth $92 million with the Green Bay Packers.

Although the Packers won't take a steep cap hit with Watson's new contract until 2028, he's owed the third-most cash among wide receivers this year behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Drake London.

In four seasons, Watson has yet to finish a campaign with more than 41 catches or 620 receiving yards. Because of injuries, he's been unable to play through a full term, missing 20 career games.

Keep in mind that the Packers also signed wideout Jayden Reed to an extension, and they have paved the way for Matthew Golden to take a Year 2 leap at the same position.

Watson is paid like a lead receiver, but based on his recent production, he could finish third among Packers wideouts in several pass-catching categories.

Tight End: Evan Engram, Denver Broncos

AP Photo/Candice Ward

Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram

2026 cash salary: $11.5 million

Cash rank among TEs: 7th

Evan Engram hasn't aged well as a pass-catching tight end over the previous two years. After recording 114 receptions for 963 yards and four touchdowns in his 2023 Pro Bowl season, he saw a notable drop-off in production. In 2024 and 2025, Engram finished with fewer than 51 catches and 462 receiving yards with only one touchdown in both campaigns.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post believes wide receiver Jaylen Waddle's speed on the perimeter could open up the field for Engram on short-to-intermediate routes. 

On the other hand, the Broncos have a crowded wide receiver group with Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims Jr. and 2025 third-rounder Pat Bryant in the mix. Consequently, Engram may not see many targets in the passing attack.

Entering his age-32 season, Engram will likely play in a limited role similar to his first year in Denver, which would make him arguably the most overpaid tight end at his salary.

Offensive Tackle: Dan Moore Jr., Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr.

2026 cash salary: $20 million

Cash rank among OTs: T-14th

Dan Moore Jr. justifiably made the list of most overpaid players last year and following peak free agency in March. The high-paid offensive tackle will remain in that category until he improves as a pass-blocker.

According to Pro Football Focus, Moore allowed eight sacks while on the field for 621 pass-blocking snaps in 2025. He struggled in pass-blocking sets through four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Tennessee Titans' previous coaching staff didn't help him make strides in that aspect.

Under a new coaching staff, Moore has a blank slate, but he hasn't shown much progress to indicate imminent improvement in pass protection.

Among tackles, Moore's contract ranks 14th in cash earnings this year, but it's third in cap hits behind All-Pros Tristan Wirfs and Penei Sewell. He won't have any guaranteed money left on his deal after the 2026 season. Barring a strong turnaround, expect Tennessee to release him next offseason.

Interior Offensive Lineman: Zion Johnson, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Cleveland Browns' Zion Johnson

2026 cash salary: $18.8 million

Cash rank among IOLs: 5th

The Cleveland Browns revamped their starting offensive line and will roll out a new starter at all five positions, three of them free-agent pickups. 

Among the Browns' free-agent additions for their offensive line, Zion Johnson is the most head-scratching acquisition. Through four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, he struggled at both guard spots.

In 2025, Johnson allowed three sacks while on the field for 663 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

While that's decent in terms of allowed sack rate, ESPN's Kris Rhim (h/t ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi) noted that Johnson's subpar pass protection contributed to Justin Herbert being the most pressured and hit quarterback in 2025. The Chargers also experimented with him at center, but that didn't work out well.

The Browns need to see a much better version of Johnson to feel justified in giving him a three-year, $49.5 million contract. As the fifth-highest paid guard in cash, he's an underwhelming signing.

Defensive Tackle: Alim McNeill, Detroit Lions

2026 cash salary: $24 million

Cash rank among DTs: 3rd

Typically, the highest-paid defensive tackles can make a significant impact in the pass rush. Coming off an 11-sack season, Tennessee Titans interior defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons earned every dollar of his three-year, $105.8 million extension.

You can't say the same about Alim McNeill, who's entering the third term of a four-year, $97 million contract. In 2025, he recorded just one sack, bringing his career total to 12.5. 

In addition to his lack of pass-rushing production, McNeill has missed 14 games over the previous three seasons. Because of his spotty availability in recent years and inability to pressure quarterbacks, the 26-year-old may need to restructure his contract to remain with the team next offseason, or he could be a cut candidate.

Among defensive tackles, McNeill is owed the second-highest cash salary, but he's been a below-average playmaker since tearing his ACL in December 2024.

Inside Linebacker: Patrick Queen, Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen

2026 cash salary: $13.3 million

Cash rank among ILBs: 13th

In 2024, his first year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Patrick Queen earned a Pro Bowl nod, but that accolade is misleading when you look at his numbers.

Although Queen registered 129 tackles, six for loss and a career-high seven pass breakups, he allowed a 114 passer rating and four touchdowns in coverage. Last year, the athletic linebacker slightly improved in that regard, permitting a 100.4 passer rating and two touchdowns as a cover defender.

Queen is a decent linebacker, but his lapses in coverage raise questions about whether his production aligns with his salary and cap hit.

While his contract is in the middle of the pack among inside linebackers in cash, it's fourth at the position in cap hit this year.

As a high-paid linebacker, Queen should be a reliable three-down defender, but that's not the case on passing downs. Perhaps he fares better under the new Steelers defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham, though the six-year pro is overpaid coming off two mediocre seasons in coverage.

Edge-Rusher: Jaelan Phillips, Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Derik Hamilton

Carolina Panthers linebacker Jaelan Phillips

2026 cash salary: $36.2 million 

Cash rank among edges: 4th

The Carolina Panthers should be concerned about Jaelan Phillips' injury history. He's played three full seasons in five years, missing 22 outings between 2023 and 2024.

Even when healthy, Phillips produced solid numbers that fall short of spectacular. He's yet to finish a campaign with double-digit sacks or tackles for loss, which is what most of the highest-paid edge-rushers have on their resumes.

The Panthers made a logical move in signing Phillips to a four-year, $120 million contract, but based on his career production, he's overpaid at that rate.

Carolina won't regret taking a swing at a top edge-rusher on the free-agent market, but it's odd to see that Phillips will earn more in cash than star edge-rushers Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr., T.J. Watt and Maxx Crosby this year.

Cornerback: Alontae Taylor, Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/John Amis

Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor

2026 cash salary: $22 million

Cash rank among CBs: T-5th

Alontae Taylor possesses the skill set to be one of the league's most versatile top cornerbacks. The Tennessee Titans paid him for his potential because he's lacking in recent production and consistency compared to top cover defenders.

In Taylor's 2022 rookie year with the New Orleans Saints, he performed well in pass coverage, allowing a 62.6 passer rating and a 48.5 percent completion rate while not giving up a touchdown on 66 targets. 

Since then, Taylor has struggled mightily in coverage, surrendering 17 touchdowns, 13 over the last two seasons. In 2024, he allowed a career-worst 111 passer rating.

Although Taylor has made plays in the backfield, logging 14 tackles for loss and six sacks over the previous two campaigns, he's an inconsistent downhill defender, missing at least 14.8 percent of his tackle attempts in three of four seasons. 

The Titans can use him in a variety of ways to justify the three-year, $58 million deal they gave him this offseason, but he's not reliable in any role because of lapses in coverage and missed tackles.

This year, Taylor will bank the same amount of cash earnings as Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie, who has an All-Pro campaign on his resume, and more money than established cornerbacks Denzel Ward, Marlon Humphrey and Jaylon Johnson.

Safety: Bryan Cook, Cincinnati Bengals

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Cincinnati Bengals Bryan Cook

2026 cash salary: $18 million

Cash rank among SAFs: 5th

The NFL's top safeties are either ballhawks or make game-changing plays in various roles. Bryan Cook is a solid player at the position, but he doesn't fit into either of those categories.

Yet the Cincinnati Bengals signed Cook to a three-year, $40.3 million deal. They snagged one of the premier free agents on the market at a questionable cost when you dig into the numbers.

In 62 games (47 starts), Cook has registered just three interceptions and 15 pass breakups. Though he's capable of playing both safety positions and nickelback, the 26-year-old is missing the big plays that separate guys like Derwin James Jr., Antoine Winfield Jr. and Kyle Hamilton from others at the position. 

Perhaps Cook becomes more of a playmaker on passing downs, supplements the pass rush or racks up more tackles for loss in Cincinnati. That said, we should question a team owing $18 million to a safety who's allowed a passer rating above 128 in three out of four seasons.

Player contract details are provided by Spotrac.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.