Green Bay Packers – Randall Cobb, WR
At the time of Randall Cobb’s last deal, he was coming off of a season in which he came just shy of 1,300 receiving yards and scored 12 touchdowns. Since then, the receiver has gone progressively downhill, failing to justify the four-year, $40 million deal given to him by the Packers. Instead, Cobb has seen his production dip significantly, failing to eclipse 700 yards or four touchdowns in each of the previous two seasons. In 2018, the final year of his deal, Cobb is slated to earn a base salary of $8 million with a cap hit of nearly $13 million. There are questions about whether the team will trade him, too.
Houston Texans – Aaron Colvin, CB
Looking to bolster their secondary, the Texans went out and signed Aaron Colvin to a four-year, $34 million deal with $18 million guaranteed earlier this year. In 2018, he’ll account for $7.75 million against the cap in 2018 and then $8.75 million each season of his remaining contract. Those are some big numbers for a cornerback who finished 2017 with a Pro Football Focus grade of 69.8 (below average) and was suspended for performance-enhancing drugs the prior year.
Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB
The Colts have done a tremendous job scrubbing themselves of bad contracts in recent years, so the addition of Andrew Luck is really just about being the worst of the best. Of course, coming off of a severe shoulder injury that caused him to miss the 2017 season played a key factor in the decision as well. In 2018, Luck is slated to earn a base salary of $12 million and a cap hit of $24.4 million, which accounts for nearly 15% of the team’s cap. If he returns to 2014 form, no big deal. If not and he struggles, it could be Luck’s final year in Indy.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Donte Moncrief, WR
Donte Moncrief has not played a full 16-game slate since 2015 and has averaged just 28 receptions for 349 yards over the previous two seasons. Despite that, the Jaguars signed him to a fully guaranteed one-year, $9.6 million deal in free agency. At just 25 years of age, Jacksonville may still be banking on his upside, but early preseason returns show a player continuing to struggle with consistency. If he can’t piece things together by the time the regular season rolls around, the Jaguars may regret taking a gamble and making Moncrief one of the 20 highest-paid wide receivers in the game.
Kansas City Chiefs – Eric Berry, S
It’s hard to add Eric Berry to a list like this because everyone collectively cheers for him. After all, the man battled cancer while continuing to conduct NFL workouts — that’s a feat. But after rupturing his Achilles in 2017, it’s hard not to look at his six-year, $78 million deal and cringe just a little bit. When healthy, Berry is among the best at his position in the league. However, he’s coming back from an injury that has ended careers, will turn 30 this season, and is already dealing with some heel issues this preseason.
Los Angeles Chargers – Russell Okung, OT
Russell Okung is widely considered a good tackle, but not necessarily an All-Pro tackle. However, when the Chargers signed him to four-year, $53 million deal in 2017, it made him the highest-paid at his position in the league. Entering the 2018 season, Okung remains one of the top five highest-paid left tackles in the league despite now being on the wrong side of 30. Still, Okung did make the Pro Bowl in 2017, which lessens the blow of his bloated contract just a bit.
Los Angeles Rams – Ndamukong Suh, DT
When the Rams signed Ndamukong Suh to a one-year, $14 million deal, many praised the defensive tackle combination alongside Aaron Donald. But Donald wanted a nice chunk of change of his own, and has since held out. Investing money in Suh while not immediately coming to terms on an extension with Donald set in motion some bad feelings. And while Suh won’t cost them a penny beyond 2018, his contract and whatever they give Donald as a result of Suh’s contract will.
Miami Dolphins – Albert Wilson, WR
With the Kansas City Chiefs, Albert Wilson never exceeded 42 receptions, 554 yards or three touchdowns. Despite that, the Dolphins opted to sign him to a four-year, $32 million million deal with $14.5 million guaranteed, which far exceeds his production. Even with a cap hit of just $4.833 in 2018, Wilson’s cost exceeds that of receivers with similar production around the league. The Dolphins could have gotten more bang for their buck, but instead, they gambled that Wilson can take things up a notch in Florida.
