Most Underpaid Defensive Backs in the NFL

• The Falcons have an NFL-low $23 million cap hit for defensive backs in 2022.
• The Bucs, Browns and Cowboys found great value with their secondary spending.

As passing games have become larger focal points in NFL offenses, the importance of defensive backfields has heightened.

Here’s a look at the most underpaid defensive backs, which may help you out with NFL parlays.

The league LEADER!!!! @TrevonDiggs !!!#ATLvsDAL | 📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/U7iJ7yGT5x

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 14, 2021

NFL Defensive Back Spending

Most Underpaid and Overpaid NFL Players

Overpaid Quarterbacks | Underpaid Quarterbacks | Overpaid Running Backs | Underpaid Running Backs | Overpaid Wide Receivers | Underpaid Wide Receivers | Overpaid Offensive Linemen | Underpaid Offensive Linemen | Overpaid Defensive Linemen | Underpaid Defensive Linemen | Overpaid Linebackers | Underpaid Linebackers | Overpaid Defensive Backs

Most Underpaid Defensive Back Groups

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs, who have Super Bowl odds of +750, will have a cap hit of $28.6 million for their secondary, which is the seventh-lowest in the NFL. Yet they were 10th in the NFL in pass defense DVOA, according to Football Outsiders.

Carlton Davis will have the highest cap hit among defensive backs on the team at $8.3 million. Among cornerbacks who played at least 50% of the most snaps in the league, Davis was 18th in Pro Football Focus’ grades at the position.

As far as other cornerbacks, Sean Bunting has the second-highest cap hit for Tampa Bay DBs at $3.4 million. Jamel Dean, who was 17th in PFF’s grades of corners, will have a cap hit of $2.8 million. 

Antoine Winfield Jr. was second in PFF’s grades among safeties and will have a cap hit of $2 million while still on his rookie deal. Mike Edwards has the highest cap hit among safeties on the team at $2.7 million. Keanu Neal, an accomplished safety, is third at the position at $1 million.

Antoine Winfield Jr. MOSSED HIM for the INT 🤯

(via @Buccaneers)pic.twitter.com/NLOucw4grE

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 28, 2021

Cleveland Browns

The Browns had the seventh-best pass defense DVOA last season. And their defensive back cap hit is the ninth-lowest.

Just $29.1 million of their cap spending will go toward their secondary. John Johnson III, 29th in PFF’s grades of safeties a year ago, has the highest cap hit for Cleveland’s defensive backfield at $7.8 million.

But the Browns have found the most value with their cornerbacks. Denzel Ward was a Pro Bowler last season and was 10th in PFF’s grades at the position. He has a cap hit of $5 million this season.

Greg Newsome has the next-highest DB cap hit on the team at $2.9 million and was 26th in PFF’s grades. Safety Grant Delpit and cornerback Greedy Williams are the only other defensive backs with cap hits of $2 million or more.

Denzel Ward sliding under a block to make a tackle remains one of the sickest moves ever 😳 @denzelward @Browns pic.twitter.com/144c7rJqrr

— NFL (@NFL) April 18, 2022

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys were among the best teams in the NFL in shutting down air attacks, as they were second in pass defense DVOA. Yet they have the 10th-lowest cap hit among defensive backs at $31 million.

Some of Dallas’ best DBs aren’t paid like it, though. Trevon Diggs, for example, was an All-Pro last season and has a cap hit of $1.7 million. 

Anthony Brown was 30th in PFF’s cornerback grades and will have the highest cap hit among defensive backs on the team at $6.5 million. Jourdan Lewis ($4.6 million) was 50th in those grades.

Jayron Kearse will have a cap hit of $3.7 million, and he was 11th in PFF’s grades of safeties. Malik Hooker, another experienced safety on the team, will have a cap hit of $2.6 million.

Jayron Kearse is right there for the INT! #DallasCowboys

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— NFL (@NFL) November 21, 2021