Every team relies on rookie deals and cheaper veterans to round out their roster. When they overperform, the team overperforms. The Buffalo Bills are no exception and during the 2019 season they had a solid group of overperforming players.
Number two on our countdown is cornerback Levi Wallace. Wallace started all 16 games for the Bills at cornerback opposite Tre’Davious White even though the team tried to replace him last offseason with former first-rounder Kevin Johnson. While Johnson eventually saw time, Wallace still played nearly 76% of the team’s defensive snaps (sixth on the team). Two interceptions, nine passes defended, and 76 tackles were his final stat lines.
As a former undrafted free agent, Wallace’s value to the team has been tremendous throughout his career.
All-in-all, Wallace was tied for the 151st-highest cap hit among cornerbacks in the league, and clearly outperformed his contract. At just $570,000, he made far less money than most starting cornerbacks in the NFL. He was behind fellow Bills cornerback Kevin Johnson ($3 million), Tre’Davious White ($2.75 million), and Taron Johnson ($731,517) and former Bills CBs Ronald Darby ($2.825 million), Ross Cockrell ($3.95 million), Nickell Robey-Coleman ($6.05 million), and All-Pro Stephon Gilmore ($9.17 million). Chicago’s Kyle Fuller led the league with an $18 million cap hit.
Wallace is entering his third NFL season, which means a year from now, we are going to be discussing him getting a larger contract as a restricted free agent, but in 2020 he’s set to make just $750,000.
Top Ten Bang for the Dollar Bills, 2019
10. G Quinton Spain ($2.5 million)
9. WR Isaiah McKenzie ($645,000)
8. QB Josh Allen ($4.8 million)
7. TE Dawson Knox ($700,545)
6. LB Tremaine Edmunds ($2.9 million)
5. RB Devin Singletary ($754,000)
4. CB Tre’Davious White ($2.75 million)
3. LT Dion Dawkins ($1.14 million)
2. CB Levi Wallace ($570,000)
1. Coming soon...