HOUSTON -- J.J. Watt is the best defensive player in the NFL, but his salary doesn't reflect that anymore.

Since Watt signed a deal worth $100 million with $51.8 million guaranteed at $16.667 million per year before the 2015 season, the market for players at comparable positions grew as markets do. He's been knocked off the top of the list of defensive linemen. Olivier Vernon, whom the New York Giants signed in free agency this year, has an average annual salary of $17 million. His is a shorter contract at five years, but includes a little bit more guaranteed money. Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston makes $16.833 per year and also has a guarantee of $52.5 million. The Buffalo Bills' Marcell Dareus got close with a deal worth $15.850 per year and $60 million guaranteed.

At last one player thinks that's insane.

"There are guys getting paid more than J.J. Watt and that does not make any sense,” Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Michael Bennett said during an interview with Houston's Sports Radio 610. “There should not be a defensive lineman making more money than him; the statistics he’s put up. When I see guys they don’t even have three or four sacks getting $100 million and I’m like ‘what is going on?'"

Dareus had two sacks in 2015, but he had 10 in 2014. Houston had 7.5 in 2015 after 22 in 2014. Vernon had 6.5 in 2014 and 7.5 in 2015. By comparison, Watt had 17.5 in 2015 and 20.5 in 2014.

What's going on is that the market changes over time. During the NFL owners meetings, I asked Houston Texans owner Bob McNair if he feels that the Texans got Watt at a discount. McNair said no. He noted that Watt was the highest-paid defensive player when he signed that contract and cited Watt's own declaration that he would outperform his contract. Watt has certainly done that, last year becoming the league's defensive player of the year for a third time and second year in a row.

McNair probably doesn't want to imagine the number Watt would command had he hit free agency this year.