The NFL's Best Value Rankings of 2013


As you may expect, no player was on the same planet as Houston Texans' DE J.J. Watt in terms of production to dollars. His value rating increased by the dozens on a weekly basis, settling in at nearly 110 points - 32 points higher than the next player (Robert Quinn, STL). His value is expected to remain at this level, with cap hits of $3.575 million in 2014, and $6.696 million in 2015. In a recent forecast by our Spotrac Premium team, Watt was projected to garner nearly $24 million per year - a figure that should continue to rise with above average play in the next two seasons.
Player | Pos. | Team | TVS | 2013 Cap | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | J.J. Watt | DE | HOU | 109.97 | $3,064,772 |
2 | Robert Quinn | DE | STL | 77.18 | $2,573,475 |
3 | Evan Mathis | G | PHI | 48.46 | $4,000,000 |
4 | Cameron Jordan | DE | NO | 45.2 | $2,108,564 |
5 | Damon Harrison | DT | NYJ | 40.8 | $482,333 |
6 | Jurrell Casey | DT | TEN | 40.69 | $734,759 |
7 | Von Miller | OLB | DEN | 40.47 | $4,921,215 |
8 | Peyton Manning | QB | DEN | 40.14 | $17,500,000 |
9 | Robert Mathis | OLB | IND | 37.95 | $10,750,000 |
10 | Josh Sitton | G | GB | 35.56 | $5,550,000 |
11 | Terrance Knighton | DT | DEN | 34.81 | $1,250,000 |
12 | Louis Vasquez | G | DEN | 33.03 | $3,250,000 |
13 | Sheldon Richardson | DE | NYJ | 32.82 | $1,828,000 |
14 | Greg Hardy | DE | CAR | 32.26 | $1,328,946 |
15 | Zach Strief | OT | NO | 30.55 | $508,977 |
16 | Russell Wilson | QB | SEA | 29.95 | $681,085 |
17 | Joe Staley | OT | SF | 28.63 | $2,800,000 |
18 | Trent Williams | OT | WAS | 27.97 | $7,985,198 |
19 | Tyron Smith | OT | DAL | 27.48 | $3,408,027 |
20 | Tamba Hali | OLB | KC | 27.48 | $15,500,000 |
21 | Jordan Gross | OT | CAR | 27.41 | $4,900,000 |
22 | Keenan Allen | WR | SD | 27.13 | $558,450 |
23 | Cordy Glenn | OT | BUF | 26.91 | $1,105,723 |
24 | Lavonte David | OLB | TB | 26.37 | $789,030 |
25 | Demaryius Thomas | WR | DEN | 26 | $2,430,250 |

Super Bowl shellacking aside, no team was built financially stronger - and produced statistically better than the Denver Broncos in 2013. With just two cap figures north of $10M (Manning: $17.5M, Bailey: $10.75M), and offensive weapons still in rookie wage scales, this team was built to win now - and they nearly did.
Team | Off. TVS | Def. TVS | S/T TVS | Total TVS | 2013 Cap Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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130.9 | 95.5 | 25.3 | 253.7 | 3rd |
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125.5 | 68.6 | -12.1 | 181.9 | 16th |
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41.4 | 53.1 | 71.7 | 166.3 | 29th |

Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson not only lived up to his #13 overall selection, he wound up the 13th best value in the entire NFL, and the 4th best DE (albeit 77 points behind Watt). The Jets have a financial steal in Richardson, with cap figures of $2.2, $2.7, and $3.2M in the next three seasons.
Chargers Wide Receiver Keenan Allen led all offensive weapons, coming in as the #22 overall best value in the NFL.
Player | Pos. | Team | TVS | 2013 Cap | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
13 | Sheldon Richardson | DE | NYJ | 32.82 | $1,828,000 |
22 | Keenan Allen | WR | SD | 27.13 | $558,450 |
37 | Larry Warford | G | DET | 22.26 | $579,250 |
46 | Eddie Lacy | RB | GB | 21.19 | $616,802 |
62 | Giovani Bernard | RB | CIN | 18.39 | $955,153 |

Two Broncos lead this list, the former entering a contract year in 2014. Terrance Knighton was one of the most consistent defensive linemen in 2013, both against the pass and the run (according to PFF). His $1.75 million cap figure in 2013 ranked 35th among active defensive ends making him the 11th best value in the NFL according to our TVS system.
Player | Pos. | Team | TVS | 2013 Cap | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | Terrance Knighton | DT | DEN | 34.81 | $1,250,000 |
12 | Louis Vasquez | G | DEN | 33.03 | $3,250,000 |
29 | Jake Long | OT | STL | 23.25 | $4,250,000 |
48 | Mike DeVito | DE | KC | 20.68 | $2,300,000 |
50 | Matt Slauson | G | CHI | 20.29 | $815,000 |

As expected, the Carolina Panthers slapped the franchise tag on Greg Hardy, who landed as the 14th best value in 2013, with just $1.3M allocated to the cap. His defensive linemate Charles Johnson was the 668th best value - with an $8.74M cap figure. In a recent forecast by our Spotrac Premium team, Hardy was projected to earn more than $13.6M per season in a long-term deal.
Player | Pos. | Team | TVS | 2014 Cap | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Terrance Knighton | DT | DEN | 34.81 | $3,250,000 |
2 | Greg Hardy | DE | CAR | 32.26 | $13,116,000 |
3 | Demaryius Thomas | WR | DEN | 26 | $5,031,250 |
4 | Brian Orakpo | OLB | WAS | 25.08 | $11,455,000 |
5 | Orlando Franklin | OT | DEN | 22.42 | $1,386,000 |