Most overpaid, underpaid players in AFC North

While manipulating the NFL salary cap is an inexact science, some general managers are simply better than others at finding budget-friendly contracts to offset the inflated deals typically agreed to in free agency.

Here are the most overpaid and underpaid players for each team in the AFC North. (All salary cap numbers provided by Spotrac).

Baltimore Ravens

Most overpaid: Odell Beckham Jr., wide receiver | The Ravens signed Beckham Jr. to a one-year deal worth up to $18M this offseason. His $15M guaranteed was by far the most given to a free-agent wide receiver this offseason. That's exorbitant for a 30-year-old who hasn't played since suffering a torn ACL in Super Bowl LVI. Beckham Jr. hasn't eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards since 2019, proving what a desperate signing he is for Baltimore.

Most underpaid: Patrick Queen, linebacker | He's still on his rookie contract and clearly outperforming his 2023 $3.869M cap hit. The 23-year-old had a career-high 117 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions in 2022. However, it seems the Ravens don't have long-term plans for him. Baltimore signed fellow LB Roquan Smith to a five-year, $100M contract extension and drafted Queen's potential replacement in LB Trenton Simpson in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Cincinnati Bengals

Most overpaid: Joe Mixon, running back | Among running backs, Mixon's $12.761M cap hit in 2023 ranks third. For a player who underperformed in 2022, that's not good. His cap hit is above several running backs who have outperformed him, including Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, Austin Ekeler and Aaron Jones. The soon-to-be 27-year-old rushed for 814 yards and seven touchdowns in his sixth season and may be a cut candidate following the 2023 season if his play continues to decline.

Most underpaid: Orlando Brown Jr., left tackle | The Bengals may have gotten the steal of free agency in Brown Jr. as his $10.354M cap hit in 2023 ranks 16th among all left tackles. The Super Bowl champion and four-time Pro Bowl tackle allowed just four sacks in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus. The addition of Brown Jr., who stands 6-foot-8 and weighs 345 pounds, weakens his former team, the Chiefs, whom the Bengals have played in the AFC Championship Game in back-to-back seasons. 

Cleveland Browns

Most overpaid: Deshaun Watson, quarterback | Last offseason, the Browns signed Watson to a five-year, $230M fully guaranteed contract and they are still waiting to see him pay dividends. His $46M-per-year salary ranks sixth among all quarterbacks, above the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow. After throwing for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions in 2022, Watson must knock off the rust this offseason or Cleveland will regret its all-in decision on the controversial 27-year-old.

Most underpaid: Za'Darius Smith, edge rusher | In the offseason, the Browns traded future late-round picks for the 30-year-old, who could pay off in a big way. Smith had 10 sacks with the Vikings in 2022 and his $3.032M cap hit in 2023 ranks 78th among all edge-rushers. No player outside of DE Myles Garrett eclipsed three sacks last season for Cleveland. Now that seems unlikely to happen again with the newest reinforcements, which include Smith.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Most overpaid: Diontae Johnson, wide receiver | The Steelers signed Johnson to a two-year, $36.71M contract extension last offseason, but he did not provide the value in 2022. Johnson finished last season with 86 catches for 882 yards and zero touchdowns, becoming the player with the most catches in a season without scoring a touchdown in NFL history. The record may be the result of bad luck more than anything. Johnson's $16.333M cap hit in 2023 ranks sixth among all wide receivers, and he may not even be the WR1 in Pittsburgh anymore with George Pickens primed for a breakout season in his second year in the NFL.

Most underpaid: Alex Highsmith, edge-rusher | The 25-year-old has improved every year. Highsmith is still on his rookie deal but deserves a new contract after his 14.5 sacks in 2022. His $2.951M cap hit in 2023 ranks 84th among all edge-rushers. Highsmith may get his extension before the start of the 2023 season, but for now, he is severely underpaid. If the Steelers don't extend him heading into the final year of his contract, his price could significantly rise and Pittsburgh could risk losing him.