In an era of skyrocketing NFL salaries, several elite performers continue to deliver Pro Bowl-caliber production while being compensated like backups. Our exhaustive research reveals the 10 most underpaid players entering the 2024 season based on:
✔ Performance vs. contract value disparity
✔ Advanced metrics proving their worth
✔ Market comparisons at their position
✔ Potential payday implications
Featuring exclusive data from NFL NewsZ and OverTheCap’s contract analytics, this is the definitive guide to football’s most team-friendly deals.
The Underpaid Player Criteria
We evaluated based on:
Salary rank vs. performance rank
PFF grade/advanced metric dominance
Potential market value if available today
Game-changing impact beyond stats
(For full contract details, visit OverTheCap)
1. Penei Sewell, OT – Detroit Lions
2024 Salary: $7.5M (21st among OTs)
Actual Value:
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#1 OT in pass block win rate (94%)
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Allowed 1 sack in 712 pass blocks
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Worth $28M+/year on open market
Contract Situation:
Eligible for extension this offseason
2. Justin Jefferson, WR – Minnesota Vikings
2024 Salary: $2.4M (WR78)
Production:
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4,825 yards since 2020 (most in NFL)
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98.7 PFF grade in 2023 before injury
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Market value: $35M/year
Why Underpaid:
Still on rookie deal; extension coming
(For WR market analysis, see NFL NewsZ)
3. Fred Warner, LB – San Francisco 49ers
2024 Salary: $18.5M (3rd among LBs)
Why He’s Underpaid:
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#1 coverage LB (60% completion allowed)
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Played 98% of defensive snaps
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More valuable than higher-paid Roquan Smith
Complete 2024 Underpaid Players List
| Rank | Player | Position | Team | 2024 Cap Hit | True Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Penei Sewell | OT | DET | $7.5M | $28M |
| 2 | Justin Jefferson | WR | MIN | $2.4M | $35M |
| 3 | Fred Warner | LB | SF | $18.5M | $25M |
| 4 | Tristan Wirfs | OT | TB | $12.3M | $26M |
| 5 | Ja’Marr Chase | WR | CIN | $4.5M | $32M |
| 6 | Micah Parsons | EDGE | DAL | $5.2M | $30M |
| 7 | Creed Humphrey | C | KC | $1.8M | $15M |
| 8 | Patrick Surtain II | CB | DEN | $6.6M | $22M |
| 9 | Kyle Hamilton | S | BAL | $3.9M | $18M |
| 10 | Chris Lindstrom | G | ATL | $12.8M | $20M |
Why These Players Are Bargains
1. Rookie Contract Gems
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Jefferson, Chase, Parsons still on team-friendly deals
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Combined $12.1M cap hit for 3 superstars
2. Elite Performance on Mid-Tier Deals
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Sewell playing at $20M below value
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Humphrey best center at 1/8th top OT salary
3. Positional Value Discrepancies
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Warner more impactful than higher-paid LBs
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Lindstrom best guard at 60% of top market rate
Impending Paydays That Will Reshape NFL
2024 Extension Candidates
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Justin Jefferson (Vikings)
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Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals)
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Micah Parsons (Cowboys)
2025 Free Agents
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Tristan Wirfs (Buccaneers)
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Creed Humphrey (Chiefs)
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Kyle Hamilton (Ravens)
Teams Getting the Most Value
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Detroit Lions (Sewell + Amon-Ra)
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Minnesota Vikings (Jefferson)
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Dallas Cowboys (Parsons)
Historical Underpaid Comparisons
| Player | Team | Savings | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | KC | $30M | 2 Super Bowls |
| Tom Brady | NE | $15M/yr | 6 rings |
| Russell Wilson | SEA | $20M | 1 title |
These 2024 bargains could fuel championship runs
Fantasy Football Implications
Best Values (Current ADP)
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Ja’Marr Chase (WR2 at WR3 price)
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Justin Jefferson (WR1 at WR4 cost)
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Penei Sewell (boosts entire Lions offense)
Contract Year Breakouts
Players like Wirfs and Humphrey could have career years
Read More: NFL Draft Busts: 5 Players Teams Will Regret Taking in 2024
Final Verdict: Enjoy the Discounts While They Last
These 10 players deliver $200M+ in combined surplus value. Smart teams will maximize their window before massive extensions reset the market.
For ongoing contract analysis, make NFL NewsZ your daily football destination.
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