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10 Players Who Can Earn a Raise During the 2015 NFL Playoffs

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By @nick_villano

10 Players Who Will Get Paid For Performance

Cam Newton Carolina Panthers
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The NFL playoffs is where many players make their best money. They use big performances to get big paychecks. In the world of the NFL, any paycheck could be that player's last. They must seize any chance they can to get a raise. Here are ten players who could get a raise for a big performance in the 2015 playoffs.

10. Russell Wilson

10. Russell Wilson
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10. Russell Wilson

10. Russell Wilson
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Russell Wilson is the most criminally underpaid player in the NFL. The Seahawks seem to be waiting until the last second so they can relish his rookie contract. If he leads them to another Super Bowl, they need to extend him this offseason.

9. Rey Maualuga

9. Rey Maualuga
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9. Rey Maualuga

9. Rey Maualuga
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Rey Maualuga is one of the most underrated linebackers in football. He is about to enter his prime, and his contract is up with the Cincinnati Bengals after the playoffs. If he can come up big and help them finally win a postseason game, then he could get seriously paid for it.

8. Hakeem Nicks

8. Hakeem Nicks
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8. Hakeem Nicks

8. Hakeem Nicks
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Hakeem Nicks took a chance on himself when he signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts. As of now, he may have made a mistake. If he can have a huge playoffs, he can make some big bucks.

7. Antonio Cromartie

7. Antonio Cromartie
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7. Antonio Cromartie

7. Antonio Cromartie
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Antonio Cromartie is another player who took a chance on himself. His situation went a little better. He deserves to make a decent amount of money on the open market for helping out the Arizona defense, but he can make that a fortune if he comes up big.

6. Torrey Smith

6. Torrey Smith
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6. Torrey Smith

6. Torrey Smith
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Torrey Smith could already be the best wide receiver on the open market. Having a great postseason could get him some serious money. Wide receivers can get really big contracts. Clutch wide receivers get record-setting contracts.

5. Nick Fairley

5. Nick Fairley
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5. Nick Fairley

5. Nick Fairley
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Nick Fairley is one of the better defensive tackles in the league. He is a free agent after the season. He is going to get money either way, but a big playoffs would make him one of the most desirable free agents on the market.

4. Randall Cobb

4. Randall Cobb
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4. Randall Cobb

4. Randall Cobb
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Randall Cobb is in the same position that Greg Jennings was in a few years ago. He is a free agent trying to convince teams he is just as good without Aaron Rodgers. Jennings found a way to get the Vikings to open up the bank account. A big playoff run can get Cobb to get the same luxury.

3. Cam Newton

3. Cam Newton
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3. Cam Newton

3. Cam Newton
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The Carolina Panthers already signed the option for 2015 to keep Cam Newton in Carolina Blue in 2015, but if he has a big postseason then he needs to be locked up long term. He is the Panthers right now. They can't afford to let him get to the open market.

2. Julius Thomas

2. Julius Thomas
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2. Julius Thomas

2. Julius Thomas
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Tight ends are becoming more and more important to passing offenses in the league. Teams are looking to spend big bucks or high draft picks to get the next Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski. Julius Thomas showed he can be the main component of a great offense. If he returns for the playoffs and kills it, the Broncos may not be able to afford it.

1. Darrelle Revis

1. Darrelle Revis
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1. Darrelle Revis

1. Darrelle Revis
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Darrelle Revis is one of the top three best cornerbacks in the league under anyone's list. He is going to get an amazing deal from whoever gets lucky enough to pay him. The Patriots seem to be the frontrunner, especially after Tom Brady restructured his contract to save them $24 million.

Nick Villano is the New Jersey Devils writer for Rant Sports. He also adds to the site’s NBA, MLB and NFL content. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your Google circle.

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