Underpaid Offensive Players

With the 2011 NFL season halfway over, the first 10 weeks have been marked by injuries, disappointments but also breakout performances. Of this year’s breakout players, many have only been in the league for a few seasons, and for these elite players their current contracts may be working against them. Although these premier players may not be making all-star salaries, when it comes time for them to negotiate a new contract, you can expect that their compensation will be more in line with their a Photo: Image Source | Getty Images

With the 2011 NFL season halfway over, the first 10 weeks have been marked by injuries, disappointments but also breakout performances. Of this year’s breakout players, many have only been in the league for a few seasons, and for these elite players their current contracts may be working against them.



Although these premier players may not be making all-star salaries, when it comes time for them to negotiate a new contract you can expect their compensation will be more in line with their abilities. This list focuses on identifying underpaid offensive players at skill positions as their stat lines are more quantifiable.



So what offensive players are making the least, but making the most of it? Here's our rundown of the best bang for the buck in the league.



By Darren RovellPosted 18 Nov 2011

10. Rob Gronkowski

Position: Tight End, New England Patriots 2011 salary: $450,000 Weekly paycheck: $26,741 Gronkowski is an absolute machine, moving his 6-foot-6, 265-pound body with ridiculous agility. In the last four games, against the Cowboys, Steelers, Giants and Jets, Gronkowski has caught at least seven passes and has averaged 95.5 yards a game. Gronkowski got a $1.76 million signing bonus and a $830,000 playing time bonus, but he's still making the $450,000 minimum salary. Photo: Getty Images

Position: Tight End, New England Patriots

2011 salary: $450,000

Weekly paycheck: $26,741



Gronkowski is an absolute machine, moving his 6-foot-6, 265-pound body with ridiculous agility. In the last four games, against the Cowboys, Steelers, Giants and Jets, Gronkowski has caught at least seven passes and has averaged 95.5 yards a game. Gronkowski got a $1.76 million signing bonus and a $830,000 playing time bonus but he's still making the $450,000 minimum salary.

9. Jimmy Graham

Position: Tight End, New Orleans Saints 2011 salary: $450,000 Weekly paycheck: $26,471 When his name was called as the 95th pick in the 2010 draft, the tight end from Miami didn't even become a millionaire. The four-year, $2.45 million contract only had a $665,140 signing bonus attached. This year, he's making the minimum salary for a second-year player of $450,000. What do they get for that? 873 yards receiving and 6 touchdowns through the first 10 games. Photo: Getty Images

Position: Tight End, New Orleans Saints

2011 salary: $450,000

Weekly paycheck: $26,471



When his name was called as the 95th pick in the 2010 draft, the tight end from Miami didn't even become a millionaire. The four-year, $2.45 million contract only had a $665,140 signing bonus attached. This year he's making the minimum salary for a second-year player of $450,000. What do the Saints get for that? Only 873 yards receiving and six touchdowns through the first 10 games.

8. Fred Jackson

Position: Running Back, Buffalo Bills 2011 salary: $1.75 million Weekly paycheck: $102,941 Two losses in a row have put the Bills at 5-4, but it's not necessarily Fred Jackson's fault. The Bills running back, who is in his third year out of small Coe College, leads the league in rushing with 917 yards. He's so much of an underdog that his wife, Danielle, reportedly waited until the fifth round of her fantasy draft to draft her husband. The $1.75 million he makes this year means he's the 10th hig Photo: Getty Images

Position: Running Back, Buffalo Bills

2011 salary: $1.75 million

Weekly paycheck: $102,941



Two losses in a row have put the Bills at 5-4 but it's not necessarily Fred Jackson's fault. The Bills running back, who is in his third year out of small Coe College, leads the league in rushing with 917 yards. He's so much of an underdog that his wife, Danielle, reportedly waited until the fifth round of her fantasy draft to draft her husband. The $1.75 million he makes this year means he's the 10th highest paid player on the team. While quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick just got a new deal, Buffalo is still unsure about Jackson with one more season left on his contract.

7. LeSean McCoy

Position: Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles 2011 salary: $600,000 Weekly paycheck: $35,294 McCoy had an impressive second season last year hitting the 1,000 yard mark and although the Eagles are playing as bad as they can play, it's not McCoy's fault. In fact, McCoy just might hit the 1,000-yard mark in Week 10. As the 53rd pick of the 2009 draft, McCoy got $1.72 million in guaranteed money and picked up a $357,000 incentive for playing in at least 45 percent of the offensive plays last year, bu Photo: Getty Images

Position: Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles

2011 salary: $600,000

Weekly paycheck: $35,294



McCoy had an impressive second season last year hitting the 1,000-yard mark, and although the Eagles are playing as bad as they can play, it's not McCoy's fault. In fact, McCoy just might hit the 1,000-yard mark in Week 10. As the 53rd pick of the 2009 draft, McCoy got $1.72 million in guaranteed money and picked up a $357,000 incentive for playing in at least 45 percent of the offensive plays last year. But his base salary is only $600,000. He'll make $685,000 next year and then he's a free agent.

6. Cam Newton

Position: Quarterback, Carolina Panthers 2011 salary: $375,000 Weekly paycheck: $22,059 The Panthers 2-7 record is not that impressive, but Newton certainly is with 2,609 yards passing and 11 touchdowns with 311 yards rushing and 7 rushing touchdowns. Newton's yearly contract of $375,000 is a little bit deceptive because he did receive a $14.5 million signing bonus and his contract is fully guaranteed for $22 million, but even at that price, Newton might be a bargain since the Panthers really ne Photo: Getty Images

Position: Quarterback, Carolina Panthers

2011 salary: $375,000

Weekly paycheck: $22,059



The Panthers 2-7 record is not that impressive but Newton certainly is with 2,609 yards passing and 11 touchdowns with 311 yards rushing and seven rushing touchdowns. Newton's yearly contract of $375,000 is a little bit deceptive because he did receive a $14.5 million signing bonus and his contract is fully guaranteed for $22 million. But even at that price Newton might be a bargain since the Panthers really need a turnaround quickly.

5. Mike Wallace

Position: Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers 2011 salary: $480,000 Weekly paycheck: $35,294 Wallace, a 2009 third round draft pick is an absolute stud for the Steelers. He signed a three-year contract worth $1.7 million with a $550,000 signing bonus. Wallace has had at least 70 yards receive in 8 of the team's 10 games, averaging 17.4 yards per catch. How valuable is Wallace? Lucky for him, it's a contract year. Photo: Ron Tringali | Getty Images

Position: Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers

2011 salary: $480,000

Weekly paycheck: $35,294



Wallace, a 2009 third-round draft pick is an absolute stud for the Steelers. He signed a three-year contract worth $1.7 million with a $550,000 signing bonus. Wallace has had at least 70 yards receive in 8 of the team's 10 games, averaging 17.4 yards per catch. How valuable is Wallace? Luckily for him it's a contract year.

4. Matt Forte

Position: Running Back, Chicago Bears 2011 salary: $600,000 Weekly paycheck: $35,294 Forte only has three rushing touchdowns, but his 869 yards rushing is only behind Fred Jackson and LeSean McCoy. With the Bears on a four-game winning streak, there's been plenty of debate whether the team has to sign him to a huge deal next year. Forte's backup, Marion Barber, is making almost four times what he makes this season. Photo: Getty Images

Position: Running Back, Chicago Bears

2011 salary: $600,000

Weekly paycheck: $35,294



Forte has three rushing touchdowns but his 869 yards rushing is only behind Fred Jackson and LeSean McCoy. With the Bears on a four-game winning streak there's been plenty of debate whether the team has to sign him to a huge deal next year. Forte's backup, Marion Barber, is making almost four times what he makes this season.

3. Arian Foster

Position: Running Back, Houston Texans 2011 salary: $525,000 Weekly paycheck: $30,882 Arian Foster continues to be a stud after a stellar Pro Bowl season last year in which he ran for 1,616 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. In the eight games he has played in this season, he only failed to reach a combined 100 yards rushing or receiving in the season opener. Foster was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and that means he's not among the top 40 highest-paid players on the Texans this year. H Photo: Getty Images

Position: Running Back, Houston Texans

2011 salary: $525,000

Weekly paycheck: $30,882



Arian Foster continues to be a stud after a stellar Pro Bowl season last year in which he ran for 1,616 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. In the eight games he has played in this season, he only failed to reach a combined 100 yards rushing or receiving in the season opener. Foster was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and that means he's not among the top 40 highest-paid players on the Texans this year. He's making $525,000 this year, but expect him to get paid more soon.

2. Aaron Rodgers

Position: Quarterback, Green Bay Packers 2011 salary: $7.5 million Weekly paycheck: $441,176 Sure the Green Bay Packers are paying Aaron Rodgers $7.5 million this year, which is more than anyone on this list, but the team wouldn't be 9-0 without him. In 6 1/2 years, the Packers have now paid Rodgers almost $39 million, but it's not what you pay, it's what you get. Thanks to having Rodgers, the Pack are predicted to defend their Super Bowl title and are using the success to launch a stock sale th Photo: Getty Images

Position: Quarterback, Green Bay Packers

2011 salary: $7.5 million

Weekly paycheck: $441,176



Sure, the Green Bay Packers are paying Aaron Rodgers $7.5 million this year, which is more than anyone on this list, but the team wouldn't be 9-0 without him. In 6 1/2 years, the Packers have now paid Rodgers almost $39 million, but it's not what you pay it's what you get. Thanks to having Rodgers, the Pack is predicted to defend its Super Bowl title and is using the success to launch a stock sale that will seek $143 million in improvements to Lambeau Field.

1. Wes Welker

Position: Wide Receiver, New England Patriots 2011 salary: $2.15 million Weekly paycheck: $127,647 When the Patriots gave up a 2nd round draft pick to get Wes Welker, many fans thought it was too much. Well, that deal and Welker's five-year, $18 million contract is now proving to be a bargain. This year, the lightning fast 5’9” receiver is making a measly $2.15 million in the last year of that contract. He's pulled in 72 receptions, for a 1,006 yards receiving to go along with 6 TD's. Photo: Getty Images