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Most underpaid NFL players at every position for 2016

Most underpaid NFL players at every position. Salaries according to Sportrac.com.

 
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Quarterback: Tyrod Taylor, Bills

Quarterback: Tyrod Taylor, Bills
William Hauser / USA Today Sports Images

No wonder Taylor is looking for a new contract. The Bills starter is set to make $3 million in 2016, tied for 36th at the position. He had a very good season as Buffalo's starter last season, completing nearly 64 percent of his passes for 3,035 yards and a 99.4 passer rating.

 
2 of 23

Running back: Dion Lewis, Patriots

Running back: Dion Lewis, Patriots
Greg M. Cooper / USA Today Sports Images

Lewis was picked up off the scrap heap and added a new dimension to the Pats offense when he was healthy last season. His salary ranks 50th at the position at less than $900,000, but the versatile back averaged 4.8 yards per carry and had 36 receptions for 388 yards in seven games until he got hurt.

 
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Fullback: Patrick DiMarco, Falcons

Fullback: Patrick DiMarco, Falcons
Brace Hemmelgarn / USA Today Sports Images

A first-time Pro Bowler last season, DiMarco ranks only 10th at fullback in salary with a meager $860,000 a year. He's become one of the top blocking fullbacks in the game.

 
4 of 23

Wide receiver: Julian Edelman, Patriots

Wide receiver: Julian Edelman, Patriots
Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today Sports Images

One of the elite wide receivers in football, Edelman still ranks just 41st among wideouts in salary going into his eighth season. He's set to make just over $3 million in 2016 but has more than 250 receptions over the last three seasons.

 
5 of 23

Wide receiver: Golden Tate, Lions

Wide receiver: Golden Tate, Lions
Chuck Cook / USA Today Sports Images

Tate is set to make only $4.75 million as Detroit's No. 1 wideout in 2016, putting him at No. 38 among wideouts. He's caught 90-plus passes in consecutive seasons since joining Detroit.

 
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Tight end: Gary Barnidge, Browns

Tight end: Gary Barnidge, Browns
Scott Galvin / USA Today Sports Images

Barnidge had a breakout season in 2016, his seventh year. Now a Pro Bowler, he's still set to make $1.75 million, tied for 38th among tight ends.

 
7 of 23

Left tackle: Michael Oher, Panthers

Left tackle: Michael Oher, Panthers
Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

The story behind "The Blind Side," Oher is a solid left tackle for a bargain price. He protects Cam Newton's blind side for only $3.25 million, ranking 24th among left tackles.

 
8 of 23

Right tackle: Andre Smith, Vikings

Right tackle: Andre Smith, Vikings
Aaron Doster / USA Today Sports Images

Smith's durability has been an issue over the last two seasons, which could be why Cincinnati let him walk in the offseason. He's set to make nearly $3.5 million this year, which only puts him 14th at his position, but he's consistently known as one of the better right tackles in the game.

 
9 of 23

Guard: Mike Iupati, Cardinals

Guard: Mike Iupati, Cardinals
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Iupati signed a back-loaded contract with Arizona in 2015 and is set to make $4.5 million this season. That makes him only the 17th highest paid guard, but he's now made four Pro Bowls.

 
10 of 23

Center: Nick Mangold, Jets

Center: Nick Mangold, Jets
William Hauser / USA Today Sports Images

A seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro for the Jets, Mangold's $3 million cash deal puts him only 15th among centers in 2016. It's quite a bargain for the Jets.

 
11 of 23

Defensive end: Chris Long, Patriots

Defensive end: Chris Long, Patriots
Winslow Townson / USA Today Sports Images

The Pats were able to add Long for pennies on the dollar this offseason after two injury-plagued seasons. Still just 31, Long has 54.5 sacks in eight seasons and has still shown ability when healthy. He could be a major bargain for less than $2.4 million, 52nd among ends.

 
12 of 23

Defensive end: Rob Ninkovich, Patriots

Defensive end: Rob Ninkovich, Patriots
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

Ninkovich enters his 11th season and has been a model of consistency, with at least 6.5 sacks in five straight seasons for New England. Set to make only $2 million, his salary is tied for 55th among defensive ends.

 
13 of 23

Defensive tackle: Kyle Williams, Bills

Defensive tackle: Kyle Williams, Bills
Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today Sports Images

While he's 33 and coming off an injury-plagued season, Williams is still a major bargain as the 22nd highest paid defensive tackle in football at $4.75 million cash. He's made four Pro Bowls over the last six years.

 
14 of 23

Defensive tackle: Terrance Knighton, Patriots

Defensive tackle: Terrance Knighton, Patriots
Winslow Townson / USA Today Sports Images

A household name at nose tackle from his days in Denver, Knighton will make just over $2 million in 2016 after a subpar year in Washington. He's still one of the best players at his role, yet only the 43rd highest paid defensive tackle.

 
15 of 23

Outside linebacker: Thomas Davis, Panthers

Outside linebacker: Thomas Davis, Panthers
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Davis has made more than 100 tackles in four straight seasons, and he had arguably his best year in 2015 as an All-Pro with four picks, four forced fumbles and 5.5 sacks at age 32. Still, he's set to make $3.5 million in 2016, tied for 38th most among outside linebackers.

 
16 of 23

Outside linebacker: James Harrison, Steelers

Outside linebacker: James Harrison, Steelers
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Harrison is still playing at a high level as a pass-rushing specialist despite his age and low price tag. He will make just $1.25 million in 2016, ranking 72nd among outside linebackers, and had five sacks last season.

 
17 of 23

Inside linebacker: Malcolm Smith, Raiders

Inside linebacker: Malcolm Smith, Raiders
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Smith joined the Raiders last season and was the league's ninth-leading tackler with 122. He's set to make $3 million in 2016, tied for 22nd most among inside linebackers.

 
18 of 23

Cornerback: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Giants

Cornerback: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Giants
Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports Images

Rodgers-Cromartie made his second Pro Bowl last season, but he's set to earn $6 million, tied for 32nd among cornerbacks.

 
19 of 23

Cornerback: Vontae Davis, Colts

Cornerback: Vontae Davis, Colts
Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today Sports Images

Davis was selected to his second consecutive Pro Bowl in 2015. Given his recent performance, including eight picks over the last two seasons, his 21st-ranked cornerback salary of $7.125 million this season sounds like a bargain.

 
20 of 23

Free safety: Kurt Coleman, Panthers

Free safety: Kurt Coleman, Panthers
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

A journeyman safety prior to last season, Coleman came out of nowhere to play at a Pro Bowl level for the Panthers. He had seven picks and 88 tackles in 15 games. Still, Coleman is set to make just over $1.6 million, ranking 29th among free safeties.

 
21 of 23

Strong safety: Mike Adams, Colts

Strong safety: Mike Adams, Colts
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Adams has made consecutive Pro Bowls since joining the Colts, with a combined 10 picks over the last two seasons. Still, he will be only the 17th highest paid strong safety at just over $1.9 million in 2016.

 
22 of 23

Kicker: Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots

Kicker: Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots
Winslow Townson / USA Today Sports Images

Widely considered one of, if not the, best kickers in the game, Gostkowski is far from the highest paid. He's set to make $2.6 million in 2016, ranking 12th among kickers.

 
23 of 23

Punter: Sam Koch, Ravens

Punter: Sam Koch, Ravens
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Koch made his first Pro Bowl in 2015, but he's regularly shown one of the strongest legs over the last several years. He ranked second in net punting yardage last season, yet ranks 10th in punter salary at $2.3 million.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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