The Biggest Bargain on Every NFL Roster

Since Black Friday-style discounts are so exceedingly rare during free agency in today’s game, most of the NFL’s best bargains are players who outperform their draft expectations after signing for low-draft money. The truth, however, is that there are many ways a team can wind up with a player whose performance far outmatches his paycheck.

Some players seem like a bargain, only to wind up giving their team exactly what it paid for. The football world couldn’t understand, for example, how a player of Cam Newton’s caliber could remain in free agency for nearly 100 days, only to sign with New England for the minimum allowed for a veteran of Newton’s tenure. Now, it appears that Newton was on the discount rack for a reason.

Using salary, cap hit and statistical data from Spotrac and ESPN, GOBankingRates identified the one player who stands out as the biggest bargain on all 32 NFL teams. Some were Pro Bowlers whose legacies could have been worth more, others are outperforming their salaries with outstanding 2020 seasons. All, however, might have benefited from harder bargaining.

Arizona Cardinals: Christian Kirk

• Position: Wide receiver
• Base salary: $1,015,897
• Signing bonus: $591,794
• Total cap hit: $1,607,691
• Percentage of total cap: 0.82%

Christian Kirk came cheap because of his history of missing games due to injury. When healthy, however, the third-year receiver has proven to be a reliable target for quarterback Kyler Murray.

Atlanta Falcons : Foyesade Oluokun

• Position: Outside linebacker
• Base salary: $750,000
• Signing bonus: $36,657
• Total cap hit: $786,657
• Percentage of total cap: 0.39%

There are not currently a lot of reasons for Falcons fans to be happy about their defense, but Foyesade Oluokun definitely offers a reason for optimism. The former sixth-round draft pick is having a breakout season after taking advantage of the opportunity he was given to play full time.

Baltimore Ravens : Mark Andrews

• Position: Tight end
• Base salary: $750,000
• Signing bonus: $209,165
• Total cap hit: $959,165
• Percentage of total cap: 0.48%

Mark Andrews benefits from playing with a quarterback who likes to spread the ball around—and the reliable tight end has become a favorite target. His game-winning touchdown catch in Week 11 was his sixth of the year—the best of any player on the Ravens squad.

Read More: The Richest No. 1 NFL Draft Picks

Buffalo Bills: Tremaine Edmunds

• Position: Inside linebacker
• Base salary: $1,630,868
• Signing bonus: $1,821,735
• Total cap hit: $3,452,603
• Percentage of total cap: 1.56%

If the Bills hold their current spot at the top of the AFC East, they’ll have won their division for the first time since 1995. Along with fellow linebacker A.J. Klein, Tremaine Edmunds is a big reason for Buffalo’s success. He’s been as reliable with tackles as he is with intensity.

Carolina Panthers: Donte Jackson

• Position: Cornerback
• Base salary: $917,502
• Signing bonus: $395,004
• Total cap hit: $1,312,506
• Percentage of total cap: 0.63%

The Panthers opted to let the great but expensive James Bradberry go in favor of fellow secondary defender Donte Jackson, who came much, much cheaper. Despite a nagging toe injury, Jackson has been more than solid in consistently shutting down his side of the gridiron.

Chicago Bears: David Montgomery

• Position: Running back
• Base salary: $684,136
• Signing bonus: $261,545
• Total cap hit: $945,681
• Percentage of total cap: 0.44%

Considering the sorry state of the Bears’ offensive line, putting a standout season would be too much to ask of any running back this year. David Montgomery has not always been great, but he has been solid enough that he was sorely missed during a recent injury-related absence.

Cincinnati Bengals: Jessie Bates III

• Position: Free safety
• Base salary: $929,801
• Signing bonus: $419,602
• Total cap hit: $1,349,403
• Percentage of total cap: 0.65%

Jessie Bates III has been a rare shining light for the last-place Bengals, who have been in the doldrums since 2015. He’s proven able to cover vast swaths of open field while showing acute NFL intelligence—a must-have trait for one of the most complex, cerebral positions in the game.

Cleveland Browns: Nick Chubb

• Position: Running back
• Base salary: $1,151,190
• Signing bonus: $862,381
• Total cap hit: $2,013,571
• Percentage of total cap: 0.88%

In the Browns’ most recent win over Philly, Nick Chubb tallied triple-digit yardage that pushed him over 3,000 career yards—all in just 38 games. The Pro Bowler’s performance earned him a nod for NFL Ground Player of the Week for the fourth time in six games.

Dallas Cowboys: Trevon Diggs

• Position: Cornerback
• Base salary: $610,000
• Signing bonus: $539,256
• Total cap hit: $1,149,256
• Percentage of total cap: 0.53%

The Cowboys are in the basement of the sad spectacle that is the 2020 NFC East, and when their hot rookie cornerback Trevon Diggs was sidelined with a broken foot, it left a big hole in the Dallas secondary. Before that, he had played every game and led his team interceptions.

Read More: How Much NFL Teams Are Making With Limited Fan Capacity

Denver Broncos: A.J. Johnson

• Position: Inside linebacker
• Base salary: $750,000
• Signing bonus: N/A
• Total cap hit: $750,000
• Percentage of total cap: 0.35%

The Broncos are lousy again for the fourth year straight, but that doesn’t mean the team is devoid of talent that’s likely underpaid. When asked about players who are worth Pro Bowl consideration, inside linebacker A.J. Johnson was one of only a handful of players his coach mentioned.

Detroit Lions: D'Andre Swift

• Position: Running back
• Base salary: $610,000
• Signing bonus: $942,530
• Total cap hit: $1,552,530
• Percentage of total cap: 0.72%

D’Andre Swift is one of seven Detroit starters out with injuries going into Thanksgiving—16 Lions in total. Swift’s value was evident when he was sidelined with a brain injury as Detroit’s offense collapsed without his ground support. His sub, Adrian Peterson, earned just 18 yards on seven carries.

Green Bay Packers: Aaron Jones

• Position: Running back
• Base salary: $2,133,000
• Signing bonus: $50,487
• Total cap hit: $2,183,487
• Percentage of total cap: 1.07%

This will likely be the last year at Lambeau for Aaron Jones as the Packers don’t seem to have room in their budget to pay what he’s worth. Last year he established himself as a top-shelf running back with 1,558 yards and 19 touchdowns and he’s excelling again in 2020.

Houston Texans: Tyrell Adams

• Position: Inside linebacker
• Base salary: $910,000
• Signing bonus: $60,000
• Total cap hit: $810,000
• Percentage of total cap: 0.37%

Tyrell Adams got his first taste of a starting role in Week 5 when an injury sidelined Benardrick McKinney for the season. He charged out of the gate with 12 total tackles—a team high—six of which were solo, a fumble recovery and the first tackle for a loss of his career.

Indianapolis Colts: Darius Leonard

• Position: Outside linebacker
• Base salary: $1,138,891
• Signing bonus: $837,782
• Total cap hit: $1,976,673
• Percentage of total cap: 0.82%

Darius Leonard’s value is evident in his testy response to Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ statement that San Francisco’s Fred Warner is the NFL’s best linebacker. Leonard, after all, has four more career picks and forced fumbles than Warner, 10 more sacks and 23 more tackles—all on seven fewer games.

Jacksonville Jaguars: James Robinson

• Position: Running back
• Base salary: $610,000
• Signing bonus: $1,666
• Total cap hit: $611,666
• Percentage of total cap: 0.29%

James Robinson is playing far better than the lowly Jags’ record would have you believe. In Week 11, he became only the fifth undrafted running back ever to tally 1,000 yards from scrimmage. His work ethic was evident in the 45 yards he gained after contact that game.

Read More: The NFL Players Who Are the Smartest With Their Money

Kansas City Chiefs: Clyde Edwards-Helaire

• Position: Running back
• Base salary: $610,000
• Signing bonus: $1,357,558
• Total cap hit: $1,967,558
• Percentage of total cap: 0.89%

First-round draft pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire is on pace to break the all-time record for yards from scrimmage for a rookie on a championship-defending team. It’s an obscure record, but for context on just how superb Edwards-Helaire’s play has been, Jerry Rice held that record for 15 years.

Las Vegas Raiders: Nelson Agholor

• Position: Wide receiver
• Base salary: $910,000
• Signing bonus: $137,500
• Total cap hit: $887,500
• Percentage of total cap: 0.4%

The Raiders took a chance on Nelson Agholor, who was widely viewed as a first-round draft bust after an ugly season in Philly that included way too many drops for comfort. The gamble paid off and through Week 11, Agholor has posted a strong 355 yards and five touchdowns.

Los Angeles Chargers: Kyzir White

• Position: Inside linebacker
• Base salary: $750,000
• Signing bonus: $163,610
• Total cap hit: $913,610
• Percentage of total cap: 0.45%

You don’t have to look far to find the value that Kyzir White brings to the Chargers defense. The veteran inside linebacker boasts a franchise-best 68 tackles.

Los Angeles Rams: Micah Kiser

• Position: Inside linebacker
• Base salary: $675,000
• Signing bonus: $74,494
• Total cap hit: $749,494
• Percentage of total cap: 0.37%

Micah Kiser is a workhorse who played all but two snaps in Week 11, which was his third game of 2020 with double-digit tackles. Overall, he is the team’s leading tackler with 71 on the year, 42 of which were solo.

Miami Dolphins: Preston Williams

• Position: Wide receiver
• Base salary: $557,354
• Signing bonus: $3,333
• Total cap hit: $560,687
• Percentage of total cap: 0.26%

Preston Williams tallied 288 yards and four touchdowns over eight games before an injury sidelined him. In his absence, the Dolphins' offense has been stagnant. Fans are banking on Williams returning soon as Miami’s last, best hope for catching the Bills.

Minnesota Vikings: Justin Jefferson

• Position: Wide receiver
• Base salary: $610,000
• Signing bonus: $1,775,964
• Total cap hit: $2,385,964
• Percentage of total cap: 1.21%

Justin Jefferson is a bargain now just as he was in the draft—five receivers went before him. After nine games, however, he led them and all other NFL rookies with 762 receiving yards. That’s despite having 15 fewer tries than the receiver chosen three spots ahead of him.

New England Patriots: Cam Newton

• Position: Quarterback
• Base salary: $1,050,000
• Signing bonus: N/A ($87,500 roster bonus)
• Total cap hit: $1,137,500
• Percentage of total cap: 0.54%

Cam Newton has played some uninspired football in 2020 and the Patriots are a losing franchise, but New England’s signing of the 2015 League MVP for minimum wage was still the bargain of the year. Plus, the millions in potential bonuses built into his contract will now mostly go unpaid.

Read More: Which NFL Hall of Famer Has the Highest Net Worth?

New Orleans Saints: Trey Hendrickson

• Position: Defensive end
• Base salary: $825,000
• Signing bonus: $176,572
• Total cap hit: $1,001,572
• Percentage of total cap: 0.51%

Trey Hendrickson is currently tied for the most sacks in the entire NFL. For context on just how big a bargain his contract is, the person he’s tied with is Myles Garrett, whose deal with the Browns is worth $125 million.

New York Giants: Darius Slayton

• Position: Wide receiver
• Base salary: $675,000
• Signing bonus: $58,497
• Total cap hit: $733,497
• Percentage of total cap: 0.37%

Like every other team in the abomination that is the 2020 NFC East, the Giants have just three wins so far—but Darius Slayton is certainly earning his keep. At the start of November, he led the team in receptionist, total yards and touchdowns.

New York Jets: Joe Flacco

• Position: Quarterback
• Base salary: $1,050,000
• Signing bonus: N/A ($225,000 roster bonus)
• Total cap hit: $1,275,000
• Percentage of total cap: 0.62%

With the winless Jets playing comically terrible football, it’s hard not to feel that veteran Joe Flacco isn’t blowing his big comeback chance. Even so, Gang Green was wise to snag a decorated Pro Bowl veteran like Flacco at a discount to serve in his original backup job.

Philadelphia Eagles: Travis Fulgham

• Position: Wide receiver
• Base salary: $555,882
• Signing bonus: N/A
• Total cap hit: $555,882
• Percentage of total cap: 0.25%

The NFC East is so dysfunctional that the Eagles are in first place despite playing hideous football with a hideous record of 3-6-1. Although he’s in a drought, Travis Fulgham is the best receiver on the squad and started the season red hot.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Chase Claypool

• Position: Wide receiver
• Base salary: $610,000
• Signing bonus: $593,023
• Total cap hit: $1,203,023
• Percentage of total cap: 0.6%

Chase Claypool is off to a great start with a rookie year that includes 39 receptions for 559 yards plus 10 touchdowns from scrimmage. He’s on pace to break both Steelers franchise records.

San Francisco 49ers: Fred Warner

• Position: Inside linebacker
• Base salary: $844,000
• Signing bonus: $252,547
• Total cap hit: $1,096,547
• Percentage of total cap: 0.53%

Fred Warner received hard-to-earn accolades in the form of a shout-out from the opposition. The Packers’ Aaron Rodgers recently called him All-Pro material and said he’s the best linebacker in the NFL. That, according to Darius Leonard, is debatable, but Warner’s excellence is at this point not.

Read More: The Richest NFL Team Owners

Seattle Seahawks: D.K. Metcalf

• Position: Wide receiver
• Base salary: $703,457
• Signing bonus: $338,827
• Total cap hit: $1,042,284
• Percentage of total cap: 0.52%

Often compared to the Titans’ A.J. Brown—they both came out of Mississippi last season and were drafted in the same round—D.K. Metcalf is coming into his own in his second NFL season. He’s become a crucial piece of the Seahawks offense and is the team’s go-to receiver.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ronald Jones II

• Position: Running back
• Base salary: $1,122,901
• Signing bonus: $805,801
• Total cap hit: $1,928,702
• Percentage of total cap: 0.94%

Ronald Jones II has had to bear a heavy load while Tampa Bay’s injured running backs were getting healthy, and bear it, he certainly has. His 730 yards have earned him a place among the three best running backs in the NFL.

Tennessee Titans: A.J. Brown

• Position: Wide receiver 
• Base salary: $751,926
• Signing bonus: $532,703
• Total cap hit: $1,284,629
• Percentage of total cap: 0.58%

Like D.K. Metcalf in Seattle, A.J. Brown has played a major role in his team’s 7-3 winning record. He’s not the media star that Metcalf is, but Brown topped his rival’s performance last season in both touchdowns and yards—he tallied more than 1,000.

Washington Football Team: Antonio Gibson

• Position: Running back
• Base salary: $610,000
• Signing bonus: $286,843
• Total cap hit: $896,843
• Percentage of total cap: 0.43%

Antonio Gibson has racked up five rushing touchdowns in his last four games. The standout rookie has passed the 100-yards mark in three separate games this season.

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About the Author

Andrew Lisa

Andrew Lisa has been writing professionally since 2001. An award-winning writer, Andrew was formerly one of the youngest nationally distributed columnists for the largest newspaper syndicate in the country, the Gannett News Service. He worked as the business section editor for amNewYork, the most widely distributed newspaper in Manhattan, and worked as a copy editor for TheStreet.com, a financial publication in the heart of Wall Street's investment community in New York City.

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