2. Micah Hyde – S
Contract: $30.5 million over five years, signed in 2017
Cap hit in 2019: $6.6 million
Micah Hyde‘s contract is the most expensive on this list, but considering his production relative to his cap hit, it’s clear that he belongs at the No. 2 position, or higher. Once thought of as a positionless defensive back out of favor with his coaching staff in Green Bay, Hyde has been the opposite since signing with Buffalo in 2017 — providing back-to-back outstanding seasons.
The Bills stuck Hyde at his more natural position: strong safety. The team, and player, instantly reaped the benefits, as Hyde’s instincts, discipline, and ranginess shined. In his first season in Buffalo, Hyde earned a Pro-Bowl and second-team All-Pro nod, while finishing the season with 82 total tackles, 13 pass deflections, and five interceptions in 16 starts.
Though Hyde didn’t repeat as a Pro Bowler in 2018, he was the leader of the top-ranked pass defense in the NFL. He finished the season as Pro Football Focus‘ fourth-best safety, with an 84.0 grade, that includes an elite 88.4 coverage grade.
The 28-year-old is in the prime of his career heading into 2019, and it doesn’t look like it’ll end anytime soon. The fact that the Bills are paying Hyde just $6.6 million in 2019 — the 17th highest sum for safeties — is absurd; and an excellent value.