Gregg Rosenthal

No sport creates a greater dissonance between salary and production than professional football. While top-10 picks get paid like Hall of Famers, other young stars like Titans running back Chris Johnson and Steelers linebacker Lamarr Woodley get locked in at Walmart prices. A mediocre veteran such as tight end Brandon Manumaleuna can earn superstar dollars if he hits the open market at the right time.

The lack of guaranteed contracts makes the NFL more fun. That makes nearly every season, for every player, a “contract year.” Players that don’t earn their keep quickly become ex-players. With that in mind, let's look for the pros who are stealing the most money this season, and the ones that deserve a few extra zeroes in their paycheck.

* 2010 Compensation listed

MOST OVERPAID

Quarterback

Matt Cassel, Chiefs: $11.75 million
He needs to improve to earn scheduled raise in 2011.

Michael Vick, Eagles: $5.25 million
Bad Newz for Newport News’ finest -- he completed six passes last year.

Running back

Reggie Bush, Saints: $8 million
He’s Tim Hightower, without the short-yardage ability.

Clinton Portis, Redskins: $7.69 million
First Southeast Jerome went missing; now Portis’ skills vanished. The Redskins would drop him if most of his base salary weren't guaranteed.

Wide receiver

Roy Williams, Cowboys: $12.952 million
Acquired in the trade that will be known to future generations as "Herschel Walker's Revenge."

Deion Branch, Seahawks: $5.47 million
Former Super Bowl MVP went the Dexter Jackson route. Branch averaged 44 catches in four seasons with Seattle and seems likely to get bounced.

Tight end

Brandon Manumaleuna, Rams: $6.055 million
$1 million per vowel? This past-his-prime blocking tight end makes far more than Pro Bowlers.

Daniel Graham, Broncos: $3.8 million
Here’s another blocking specialist that takes home more than Antonio Gates and Jason Witten.

Offensive line

Jason Peters, Eagles: $12.69 million
Philadelphia received inconsistent play at left tackle from Peters in exchange for a first-round draft pick and huge dollars.

Eric Steinbach, Browns: $5.75 million
For nearly $6 million, a guy should be guaranteed to start.

Jacob Bell, Rams: $5 million
This injury-prone guard has made virtually no impact since signing a big deal in 2008.

Jeff Backus, Lions: $4.95 million
He’s a so-so starter that is paid like a star.

Kareem McKenzie, Giants: $4.125 million
Don’t be surprised if he’s cut in training camp.

Defensive line

Jamaal Anderson, Falcons: $3.165 million.
The former No. 8 overall pick plays many positions, all of them poorly.

Albert Haynesworth, Redskins: $24.6 million
For a few million more, perhaps Haynesworth would willingly play nose tackle.

Kyle Vanden Bosch, Lions: $10 million
That’s a lot to pay for character.

Chris Canty, Giants: $4.5 million
This former Cowboy experienced a rocky transition to the 4-3 defense.

Linebacker

Julian Peterson, Lions: $7.5 million
Only the Lions' defense is thin enough to keep Peterson at this price.

Joey Porter, Cardinals: $5.75 million
This won’t end well.

A.J. Hawk, Packers $4.6 million
He splits playing time with Brandon Chillar.

Secondary

DeAngelo Hall, Redskins: $18 million
Self-made hype really can work.

Will Allen, Dolphins $5.2 million
And it’s all guaranteed!

Nate Clements, 49ers: $6 million
The beginning of the end for cornerbacks? Rumors of a move to safety.

Michael Huff, Raiders: $5.75 million
It’s not a great sign when you are vastly overpaid coming off your best season.

ALL UNDERPAID

Quarterback

Kyle Orton, $2.61 million
Underpaid and underappreciated, even by his coaches. Orton recorded 3,800 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions last season.

Chad Henne, $470,000
It’s nice to find your quarterback of the future with the No. 57 overall pick.

Running Back

Chris Johnson, Titans: $550,000 (with a $1.25 million in escalators)
CJ2K’s campaign for a pay hike lasted as long as the Titans were willing to be without the NFL's most dangerous back. (At least until next year.)

Fred Jackson, Bills: $1.195 million
Buffalo’s starter receives extra credit on our team because this is his second contract.

Wide Receiver

DeSean Jackson, Eagles: $480,000
This smells like a holdout waiting to happen, but that won’t happen until next year.

Steve Smith, Giants: $550,000
Eli Manning’s favorite target is scheduled to hit free agency in 2011.

Tight End

Zach Miller, Raiders $550,000
JaMarcus Russell, taken one round before Miller, earned $37 million more over the last three years than his productive tight end.

Jason Witten, Cowboys $3.141 million
A versatile Pro Bowler, Witten is one of many great values at tight end.

Offensive Line

Duane Brown, Texans: $643,500
Brown blossomed into a nice left tackle after Houston made him a surprise first-round pick in 2008.

Carl Nicks, Saints: $470,000
Say hello to the unknown, ornery tag-team partner for top-paid guard Jahri Evans.

Ryan Kalil, Panthers: $550,000
The fourth-year pro quietly evolved into one of the best centers in football.

Ben Grubbs, Ravens: $680,000
G.M. Ozzie Newsome consistently uncovers value at the end of the first round.

Jeff Otah, Panthers: $1 million
Carolina knows how to build an offensive line.

Defense

Defensive Line

Darnell Dockett, Cardinals: $3.75 million
Online showers cost extra.

Kendall Langford, Dolphins $470,000
Cheap, versatile young defensive linemen don’t stay cheap for long.

Kevin Williams, Vikings $2.274 million
The five-year pact Williams signed in 2006 looks like a bargain now.

Elvis Dumervil, Broncos $3.1 million
Dumervil lines up at defensive end in our underpaid 4-3 defense, though he will miss the 2010 season because of a torn pectoral muscle.

Linebacker

Lamarr Woodley, Steelers: $550,000
The Rooneys better hope the next collective bargaining agreement includes franchise tags.

Jon Beason, Panthers: $1.315 million
He should eventually ink a deal close to what DeMeco Ryans and Patrick Willis earn.

Curtis Lofton, Falcons: $550,000
Meet the leader of the Falcons defense for the next 5-8 years.

Secondary

Darrelle Revis, Jets: $1 million
Rex Ryan calls Revis the best defensive player in the league; now it’s time to pay up.

Leon Hall, Bengals: $995,000
Johnathan Joseph ($1.5 million) and Hall could be the best cornerback duo in the league for the price of one mediocre starter.

Yeremiah Bell, Dolphins: $1.85 million
Miami’s free safety hasn’t stopped ascending during his affordable second contract.

Tanard Jackson, Bucs: $550,000
Jackson forms a cost-effective duo with cornerback Aqib Talib.