In the last two days we’ve taken a look at the most overpaid and underpaid players in the NFL. On the list of underpaid players, we excluded those who are still playing on their rookie contracts. The reason for that was because the current Collective Bargaining Agreement is designed to reward veteran players who have a history of production, instead of following the previous system where rookies were thrown tons of money before taking a snap. Rookies now are slotted into a tight pay range that corresponds with their draft position.
The flip side to that is that, if a player comes and produces big on his rookie contract, he automatically is going to be underpaid. With that in mind, let’s take the next logical step.
Let’s take a look at the 10 most underpaid players who are still on their rookie contracts.
10. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
Because he was a third-round draft choice in 2017, Kamara signed a relatively modest contract. His four-year deal was for $3.9 million and included a $972,772 signing bonus. While making a $635,000 base salary in 2018, he outperformed his contract several times over. And that should be even more amplified in 2019 as he makes $807,500 in base salary. In 2018, Kamara rushed for 883 yards and 14 touchdowns and caught 81 passes for 709 yards and four touchdowns, and he did all that while sharing playing time with Mark Ingram. But Ingram is gone and Kamara’s statistics are likely to multiply.
9. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Baltimore Ravens
As the sixth overall pick in 2016, Stanley got a pretty good rookie deal with a four-year contract that’s worth $20.5 million, and that entire amount is guaranteed. He also got a $13 million signing bonus. The team holds a fifth-year option for 2020 at $12.8 million and that undoubtedly will be picked up. Stanley hasn’t made a Pro Bowl yet, but he’s still an above-average left tackle, which makes his $3.2 million salary for this year a bargain.
8. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
A fifth-round draft choice in 2017, Kittle got a four-year deal worth $2.7 million. As a rookie, he had a modest season. But he exploded in 2018, catching 88 for 1,377 yards and five touchdowns while making only $555,000. His salary has jumped to a very reasonable $645,000. And Kittle will max out at $735,000 in the final year of his contract.
7. Quenton Nelson, G, Indianapolis Colts
As the sixth overall pick in last year’s draft, Nelson got good money – a four-year deal worth $23.9 million (fully guaranteed), including a $15.4 million signing bonus. The team holds an option for a fifth year. Nelson got a big deal, but it’s structured in a way that’s very friendly to the Colts’ salary cap. As a rookie, Nelson made only $480,000 in salary and that turned out to be a huge bargain as he was selected first-team All-Pro. This season, Nelson’s salary climbs only to $570,000. His salaries for 2020 ($660,000) and 2021 ($750,000) are extremely reasonable.
6. Chris Jones, DT, Kansas City Chiefs
Jones had a relatively quiet first two seasons after being drafted in the second round in 2016 and signing a four-year deal worth $6.2 million. But exploded last season and played his way onto the underpaid list with 15.5 sacks and two forced fumbles and making second-team All-Pro. He did all that while making only $916,000. He’s scheduled to make $1.2 million this year. The Chiefs better get moving on signing Jones to a contract extension because he’ll break the bank if he ever hits the open market.
5. Darius Leonard, LB, Indianapolis Colts
Leonard might have been the biggest steal of last year’s draft as he was taken in the second round (No. 36 overall). All he did was turn in a spectacular rookie season. He led the league with 163 combined tackles, made first-team All-Pro and was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Colts got far more than they bargained for when they signed Leonard to a four-year, $7.2 million contract that included a $4.2 million signing bonus. Leonard played for just $480,000 in his spectacular rookie year. His salary jumps to $809,000 this year. And his salaries for 2020 ($1.1 million) and 2021 ($1.4 million) remain relatively low.
4. Ju Ju Smith-Schuster, wide receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers
This is the guy who will make Pittsburgh fans forget Antonio Brown and he’ll do it at a bargain rate. As a second-round draft pick in 2017, Smith-Schuster got a four-year deal worth $4.2 million, including a $1.92 signing bonus. While making only $655,000 in 2018, Smith turned in a big season with 111 catches for 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns. He’ll make $846,000 this year. In 2020, his salary jumps to slightly over $1 million, but he’ll still be a bargain.
3. Phillip Lindsay, RB, Denver Broncos
Lindsay was signed as an undrafted free agent last year and the Broncos didn’t even know if he’d make the team. They gave him a three-year deal worth $1.725 million with a $15,000 signing bonus. But Lindsay not only made the team. He was one of the biggest surprises in the league. He rushed for 1,037 yards and nine touchdowns. He’ll remain a bargain this year at $570,000 and in 2020 at $660,000. As long as Lindsay stays healthy and keeps producing, his second contract should be monstrous.
2. Derwin James, S, Los Angeles Chargers
As the 17th overall pick in 2018, James got a four-year, $12.4 million deal that included a $7 million signing bonus and the team holds an option for a fifth year. It’s a good thing he got that signing bonus because his base salaries are relatively low. James stepped right in last season and made the Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro, all while making a $480,000 base salary. That number jumps to slightly over $1 million, but that’s still a bargain for one of the league’s best safeties. Unfortunately, James looks to be lost for several weeks of the regular season due to injury, but that doesn’t reduce his overall value.
1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
This one was the easiest decision imaginable. In 2018, Mahomes might have been the biggest bargain in history. He was selected the league’s Most Valuable Player as passed for 50 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. But his actual cash compensation was a measly $1.2 million between base salary and a roster bonus. There are backup quarterbacks that make much more than that. And 2019 is shaping up as a repeat.
Mahomes’ production isn’t likely to drop off dramatically and his compensation jumps to only $1.9 million. Blame it all on the four-year, $16.4 million contract Mahomes signed after being selected No. 10 overall in the 2017 draft. The deal also has a team option for the fifth year. Yes, he did receive a $10 million signing bonus. But that’s the only truly big money in this contract. His base salary is $645,000 this year and he gets a $1.3 million roster bonus. In 2020, his base rises only to $735,000 and he’ll have a $1.9 million roster bonus. One thing is sure – when Mahomes signs his second contract, it won’t be at a bargain rate. In fact, he may be the highest-paid player in the NFL.
Pat Yasinskas has covered the NFL since 1993. He has worked for The Tampa Tribune, The Charlotte Observer and ESPN.com and writes for numerous national magazines and websites. He also has served as a voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
