NFL teams make a lot of mistakes every offseason. They often end up paying too much for some players who don't justify their contracts with their play on the field, tying up plenty of salary cap room with limited returns on investments.
Whether it's because teams get stuck paying for past performances or simply pay for expected returns that never materialize, a bad deal can sink a team's hopes for truly breaking through and making a deep playoff run.
So, who are the least bang-for-the-buck players across positions in terms of average annual salary for the upcoming season? Here's looking at the "best" of the worst.
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Quarterback
Deshaun Watson, Browns ($46 million)
Watson is getting this as part of his $230 million in total guarantees over five seasons. He has gone from being suspended too much for his first season in Cleveland (11 games) to being injured too much in his second season (6 games). The Browns managed to piecemeal enough good backup QB play, led by Joe Flacco off the street, to make the playoffs without him, but clearly, Watson has been a massive disappointment.
Watson first needs to put in a whole, healthy season; then, he has to start playing at an elite level to prove he was worth the blockbuster trade and guaranteed contract that now look like absolute whiffs.
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Running backs
Alvin Kamara, Saints ($15 million)
Kamara has seen big touch volume since becoming a third-round gem from the 2017 draft. The wear and tear have caught up to him, though, as he averaged 3.9 yards per carry and a career-low 6.2 yards per catch in 2023. He will be turning 29 in July, and the Saints are likely set to transition their backfield in 2024.
Joe Mixon, Texans ($9.875 million)
The Texans worked to upgrade their backfield from Devin Singletary and took on a hefty salary just for Mixon to be a little more versatile with his situational receiving skills. Mixon also is starting to fade ahead of his 28th birthday in July.
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Wide receivers
Calvin Ridley, Titans ($23 million)
The Titans used a recent first-rounder on Treylon Burks, still employ DeAndre Hopkins, and also signed Tyler Boyd this offseason. They're hoping Ridley will rebound after posting only a few flashes for divisional-rival Jacksonville following his one-year suspension. Also of note is the fact Ridley already will be 30 in December.
Jerry Jeudy, Browns ($17.5 million)
Jeudy was a disappointment in Denver and is hoping to be rejuvenated working off another Alabama receiver, Amari Cooper, for Watson. But nothing Jeudy has produced with his lack of durability merits getting this much as a No. 2.
Gabe Davis, Jaguars ($13 million)
The Jaguars spent rather well on Davis to replace Ridley, but then they used a first-round draft pick on Brian Thomas Jr. to also complement slot ace Christian Kirk and tight end Evan Engram. That's a lot to pay for an inconsistent, outside No. 2 who is really the fourth option for Trevor Lawrence.
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Tight end
Noah Fant, Seahawks ($10.5 million)
The Broncos' first-rounder in 2019 keeps getting paid as a leftover of the Russell Wilson trade. Despite being a shaky blocker and never hitting 70 receptions or 700 yards in a season, Fant is getting an annual salary close to the top tight ends. Darren Waller would have beat him for the worst had he not retired from the Giants.
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Offensive tackles
Jawaan Taylor, Chiefs ($20 million)
Taylor was a disaster in his first season with Kansas City, He allowed plenty of pressure on Patrick Mahomes and struggled with penalties. Winning a Super Bowl with him at right tackle was overcoming a lot up front.
Tytus Howard, Texans ($18.66 million)
The bookend to better-paid Laremy Tunsil missed 16 games last season with a broken hand and was off to a rough start — not inspiring for another year.
Guards
Damien Lewis, Panthers ($13.25 million)
The Panthers' investment in former Dolphin Robert Hunt was solid, but this was a reach to shore up the other guard spot, as Lewis is coming off a rough time with the Seahawks.
Jon Runyan, Giants ($10 million)
The Giants also overspent inside in free agency for the fading former Packer.
Center
Mitch Morse, Jaguars ($5.25 million)
Morse is just a shell of the fine starter he was with the Chiefs and Bills. Now 32, he has some key injuries behind him that figure to hamper his future.
Edge rushers
Harold Landry, Titans ($17.5 million)
Landry has raised his sack totals with a combined 22.5 the past two seasons, but he doesn't provide too much more consistently.
Carl Granderson, Saints ($13 million)
It's surprising to see Granderson earning annually almost as much as future Hall-of-Famer Cameron Jordan ($13.25 million) when there's been such limited production.
Defensive tackles
Dre'Mont Jones, Seahawks ($17.176 million)
The former Bronco has been disappointing with his production under Pete Carroll and now must transition into a different front under Mike Macdonald.
Davon Godchaux, Patriots ($10.4 million)
Godchaux has given them only limited production after once playing well in Brian Flores' Dolphins' defense.
Linebackers
Tremaine Edmunds, Bears ($18 million)
Edmunds was a splurge for Matt Eberflus' defense last season, but the former Bill was rather disappointing beyond a few flashes and takeaways.
Jordyn Brooks, Dolphins ($8.75 million)
Brooks, the one-time Seahawks first-round tackling machine, has faded hard of late and is a lateral move with Jerome Baker going to Seattle to join Tyrel Dodson.
Cornerbacks
Carlton Davis, Lions ($14.833 million)
The Lions didn't make their veteran corner spending work last season, so they got aggressive again, trading for the former Buccaneer. However, he's been shaky with durability issues of late, and there's a good chance rookie first-round Terrion Arnold will be their better starter.
James Bradberry, Eagles ($12.666 million)
Bradberry's faded hard opposite Darius Slay Jr., and the coverage time for the soon-to-be 31-year-old is over with the team drafting Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
Safeties
Kyle Dugger, Patriots ($14.5 million)
Dugger has been solid but nothing spectacular (when available), though he still has some versatility in their system.
Amani Hooker, Titans ($10 million)
The Titans make the cut again here, as they have fallen off at this position since the prime of Kevin Byard.
Kicker
Graham Gano, Giants ($5.5 million)
Gano has limited range and has started to become less reliable on field goals at 37.
Punter
Jake Bailey, Dolphins ($2.1 million)
The former Patriot averaged only 45.7 yards per boot last season and dropped only 20 inside the 20, both near the bottom of the league.