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Detroit Lions: 5 most underpaid players on the roster

By Zack Moran

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 6: Golden Tate #15 of the Detroit Lions breaks a tackle by Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings after a reception during overtime on November 6, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 6: Golden Tate #15 of the Detroit Lions breaks a tackle by Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings after a reception during overtime on November 6, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 3: Offensive tackle Taylor Decker #68 of the Detroit Lions looks on from the bench against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 3: Offensive tackle Taylor Decker #68 of the Detroit Lions looks on from the bench against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Taylor Decker

With Quinn’s focus on building through the trenches, he made Decker his first pick as a GM to be the franchise’s left tackle. He had a stellar rookie season only allowing 4.5 sacks all year. Then the worst happened. Decker tore his labrum last year making the Lions scramble to find a replacement. To no avail, none of the replacements were suitable. Decker returned, but of course, he was rusty allowing four sacks last year. Fortunately he is healthy and ready to protect Matthew Stafford‘s blindside this year.

Decker’s cap hit is $2,990,994 this year according to Sportac.com. He is currently the Lions’ 16th highest cap hit and the 23rd highest paid left tackle in the league. Considering the value of left tackle in the league, the Lions are getting a great deal for Decker’s services. The crazy part about it, the former Lion Riley Reiff who’s spot got filled by Decker, is getting paid $11,400,000 by the Vikings. That is nearly 3.5 times more than what the Lions are paying Decker.

Decker has the potential to be a Pro Bowl left tackle. Since Decker is still under his rookie contract, the Lions are not paying nearly as much as some other teams are for left tackles. Currently, the value of left tackles is near $10 million. If he can pick up where he left off toward the end of last season, he will continue to exceed the value of his contract and be a key cog to the Lions offense for years to come.

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