The NFL’s best bang for the buck: We picked the most valuable veteran contracts on all 32 teams

An NFL roster is a zero-sum game, thanks to the salary cap. Paying one player more means you have to pay another player less. That means it’s important for every team to get value out of its veteran contracts. Football Outsiders analyzed the rosters of all 32 NFL teams and picked out the most valuable contract on each one.

In doing this analysis, we considered present value, likely long-term value and percentage of the salary cap tied up. The length of a deal is less of a consideration than it would be in other sports because injury can end a player’s career at any time, and most NFL contracts are structured so that neither side will want to see the end of them. However, if a team can get multiple good years out of a deal, obviously that is better than not.

Finally, we will not use drafted players on rookie contracts because then the entire list would be rookie contracts. A good player on a rookie contract is immensely valuable, as you have likely learned from the discourse about teams with good young quarterbacks being able to field better teams around them. However, we did consider players on UDFA (undrafted free agent) contracts because any team had a shot at them, though most teams do not have a UDFA worthy of being on our list.

All contract information used was cobbled together from Spotrac and Over The Cap data. Future cap percentages are based on a publicly available $208 million estimate for the 2022 salary cap. Teams are listed alphabetically by conference, and stats listed are through Week 14.

AFC

Age: 26

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $3,000,000 (1.6%)

• 2022: $5,000,000 (2.4%)

• 2023: $6,500,000 (2.9%)

• 2024: $7,500,000 (2.9%)

Bowser was drafted by the Ravens with the 42nd overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft, and he has only ascended from there. Bowser was mostly used as a rotational linebacker on his rookie contract, but his career-high 34 tackles in 2020 were enough to earn him a four-year, $22 million contract and a starting role in Baltimore’s front seven. Since then, he has taken that opportunity and run with it.

Bowser has already set a new career high in tackles with 47. His six sacks thus far serve as the team high, and his four pass breakups lead all non-defensive backs on the team. Considering most of the team’s defensive spending this year is tied up in Calais Campbell, Brandon Williams and Tavon Young, it’s good for the Ravens to be able to hang their hat on a cost-controlled veteran like Bowser to grow alongside young rookie-contract players such as Patrick Queen and Odafe Oweh.

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Age: 28

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $6,378,954 (3.4%)

• 2022: $17,529,640 (8.3%)

• 2023: $17,606,111 (7.8%)

Diggs’ value mostly stems from just how much the Bills lean on him in the passing game. Diggs had 128 of the Bills’ 511 targeted passes through Week 14, giving him a 25.0% target share in Buffalo’s offense. Yes, his numbers are slightly down from the sky-high benchmark set by the 2020 Bills offense. Diggs ranks 17th in DYAR and 28th in DVOA among qualifying wide receivers. However, Diggs’s usage is so high that his 28th-ranked DVOA translates into the sixth-highest effective yards total among NFL wide receivers.

The Bills have Diggs on a fantastic deal this season, but even when his contract jumps in 2022 and 2023, it still remains a cost-controlled deal. He will be the ninth highest-paid receiver in 2022 and 2023. Knowing the paydays wide receivers have recently cashed in on — coupled with his usage — Diggs’s contract will continue to look better as the years go on.

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Age: 26

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $6,038,235 (3.1%)

• 2022: $7,350,000 (3.4%)

• 2023: $8,150,000 (3.6%)

The Bengals have big money tied up in another cornerback, having signed Trae Waynes to a three-year, $42 million deal in 2020. But Waynes has made just three appearances since signing that deal, missing all of 2020 with a torn pec and playing just three games in 2021 due to a number of injuries.

In steps Awuzie, who signed with the Bengals this offseason after spending four years with the Dallas Cowboys. Taking over for Waynes as the top cornerback, Awuzie has shined. Per Sports Info Solutions, Awuzie ranks 12th among all defensive backs with at least 10 games played in completion percentage allowed, giving up just 5.6 yards per target and generating 12 pass breakups and a pair of interceptions to boot. While the Bengals rank 18th in defensive pass DVOA, it’s a vast improvement over their 27th-ranked pass defense from 2020.

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Age: 31

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

The Browns signed Walker Jr. to a one-year deal this offseason after he played out his rookie contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Walker has served as the team’s Mike linebacker for most of his tenure and has done a phenomenal job in doing so. Despite playing only nine games this season (missing three games on injured reserve and another from COVID-19 protocols), Walker leads the Browns’ defense in tackles with 85 total. His 57 solo tackles fall one shy of the second-most total tackles by a Browns defender, held by safety Ronnie Harrison Jr.

Normally, a void year like Walker’s would tank his value. Considering how little he is already being paid, the $1.16 million Cleveland will have to pay in 2022 feels like a small price to pay for the services of a player who was signed off the street to average just under 10 tackles per game.

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Age: 32

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

Despite all the weapons the Broncos have accrued for their passing attack, the lack of consistent quarterback play has prevented the passing attack from properly flourishing. The Broncos have instead turned to leaning on Melvin Gordon III and Javonte Williams in the run game. Denver ranks eighth in offensive rushing DVOA, and Gordon and Williams rank eighth and 14th in DYAR, respectively.

The success of a rushing attack is often more heavily predicated on the strength of a team’s offensive line than it is the strength of its running backs. That’s the case for the Broncos — their offensive line ranks eighth in adjusted line yards. Garett Bolles and Graham Glasgow have already earned their paydays, while Dalton Risner, Lloyd Cushenberry III and Quinn Meinerz are still working on their rookie deals.

Bobby Massie, on the other hand, is the lone Broncos lineman playing on an affordable one-year deal. Massie has been integral to Denver’s rushing attack, too. When running outside, Denver runs to the right side more often than the left, with 16% of run plays coming behind Massie and 12% aiming outside of him. According to Sports Info Solutions, Massie has just two blown run blocks on 256 snaps this season.

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Age: 25

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $1,735,294 (0.9%)

• 2022: $2,250,000 (1.0%)

As the Texans rebuild, they will need to hit on more players like Thomas. Thomas was originally signed to the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2018, then got picked up off waivers by the Browns after not making the final roster. He signed a two-year, $4 million contract this offseason with the Texans, and while he hasn’t been a consistent starter, Thomas has been one of Houston’s best defensive backs.

His 11 games played through Week 14 already matches his career appearances between 2018 and 2020. According to Sports Info Solutions, Thomas has drawn 14 targets on 279 passing snaps in those 11 games. On those targets, Thomas has allowed just five completions for an average of 2.9 yards per target. He also has generated three pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble in the process.

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Age: 26

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $6,385,294 (3.4%)

• 2022: $5,570,000 (2.7%)

• 2023: $7,545,000 (3.4%)

Moore was originally an undrafted free agent signed by the New England Patriots in 2017 but was waived in September of that year. Indianapolis claimed Moore the very next day, and he eventually worked his way up to a consistent starting role in 2018. His play eventually earned him a four-year, $33 million contract in 2019. While his usage has taken on a slightly more rotational role, as he shares time with the likes of Xavier Rhodes, Rock Ya-Sin and Isaiah Rodgers, Moore has still managed to start all games this season and bring the heat while doing so. His 13 pass deflections and four interceptions both lead the Colts thus far this season; his pass deflection number is tied for eighth most in the league through Week 14.

We also considered guard Mark Glowinski in this slot as well. Glowinski is at the end of his three-year contract with the Colts, so the $7.5 million he is being paid this year is almost dried up. Just because Glowinski might not be around long-term doesn’t mean he shouldn’t get some shine for what he’s doing now. Glowinski has allowed 18 blown blocks on 637 snaps; he has yet to allow a sack through 14 weeks.

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Age: 23

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $781,666 (0.4%)

• 2022: $896,669 (0.4%)

The Jaguars’ decision to draft Travis Etienne Jr. in the first round was so confounding to so many because of what the team already had in 2020 undrafted free agent James Robinson. After a breakout rookie campaign, Robinson has found a way to somehow outshine that season despite, uh, *gestures vaguely at a smoldering TIAA Bank Stadium*.

Robinson ranks fourth among all running backs in DYAR and fifth in DVOA, putting him up there with the likes of Tony Pollard, Austin Ekeler, and former Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette. Robinson is averaging more yards per carry than he did his rookie season and has already surpassed his rushing touchdown total from last year. Best-case scenario for 2022, Robinson and Etienne will prove to be an effective dynamic duo at a two-for-one price point.

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Age: 32

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

The Chiefs’ acquisition of Ingram might go down as one of the most impactful midseason trades in recent memory. Acquiring the three-time Pro Bowler for a sixth-round pick, especially at his contract, is a steal in itself. Ingram has already notched 10 tackles, a sack, 15 hurries and 13 pressures in his first six games since joining Kansas City, per Stats Info Solutions.

It’s not just the individual addition of Ingram’s skill set. Ingram’s presence on the edge allows for more points of concern for an offensive line. Now teams have to worry about blocking Ingram in addition to the likes of Frank Clark and Chris Jones. Clark and Jones have both averaged more sacks, hurries and pressures per game since Ingram joined the team, according to box scores from Stats Info Solutions.

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Age: 29

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $6,370,000 (3.4%)

• 2022: $7,000,000 (3.1%)

• 2023: $7,000,000 (3.1%)

The best veteran contract for the Raiders is going to be the biggest no-brainer until Waller negotiates a new contract. Over the past two years, Waller’s season totals in counting stats don’t just rank him among the best tight ends, but the best pass-catchers in the NFL. Waller led tight ends in DYAR in 2019, then finished third in DYAR in 2020.

This season might not be as kind to him, as Waller has missed a handful of games with injury. However, Waller remains the most important pass-catcher on the Raiders. His 8.4 targets per game through Week 14 is third most in the league among tight ends behind Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews. Waller is a top-tier tight end with the 13th-highest APY among tight ends, per Over the Cap. Until that changes, his will stand as one of the best deals for a veteran offensive weapon in the NFL.

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Age: 31

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

The Chargers were determined to completely overhaul their offensive line this past offseason. They threw big paychecks at Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler, then selected Rashawn Slater with their first-round pick of the draft. The last piece to the new-look offensive line came on a budget. Schofield was cut by the Ravens on Aug. 30, and Los Angeles brought him into the building on Sept. 17. Since then, Schofield has been a welcome addition to this offensive line. Per Stats Info Solutions, Schofield has 17 blown blocks on 639 snaps, allowing just one sack so far through Week 14.

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Age: 26

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $2,625,000 (1.3%)

• 2022: $2,575,000 (1.2%)

• 2023: $3,225,000 (1.4%)

There are a number of different directions to go with Miami. Emmanuel Ogbah occupied this spot last year, but being in the last year of his two-year, $15 million contract seemed to drag some of the value down. Eric Rowe is also on a very affordable deal, but he has seen a decrease in his role this year. Xavien Howard would have been a prime candidate before renegotiating his contract this past offseason.

Instead, we went with Sieler, a run-stopping interior defensive lineman picked up by Miami in December 2019. Miami signed Sieler to a two-year, $7.63 million extension the following November. While he doesn’t pop on a stat sheet, the 6-foot-6, 300-pound Sieler has helped the Dolphins get stout against the run alongside Christian Wilkins. Miami’s defensive line ranks 10th in adjusted line yards and 14th in stuff rate. Sieler has served as a quality backup behind Wilkins, making appearances in all 14 games while notching 45 total tackles, a sack, 3 pass deflections and 2 fumble recoveries.

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Age: 28

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $9,539,706 (4.6%)

• 2022: $10,275,000 (4.8%)

• 2023: $8,875,000 (3.9%)

The success of the Patriots’ offense can be credited in no small part to their offensive line. They rank ninth in running back yards, fourth in short-yardage success, seventh in second-level yards and 13th in adjusted sack rate. The success of their offensive line has been one reason New England’s backfield has looked so dominant and rookie quarterback Mac Jones has been able to get comfortable.

Mason, the team’s right guard, has been the most dominant of the bunch. On 659 total snaps, Mason has allowed just seven blown blocks and has yet to allow a sack this season, per Sports Info Solutions. As one of the best guards in football, Mason has a contract that’s tied for 13th highest among all guards. It crosses the $10 million mark once over a three-year stretch, which seems like a small price to pay a guard who has career opponent stuff rates and sack rates below 1%. Cleveland’s Wyatt Teller is a right guard comparable in age and skill level, and his contract extension begins at $15 million.

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Age: 24

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $850,000 (0.4%)

• 2022: $965,000 (0.5%)

The Jets claimed Johnson in 2020 after the Lions released the 2019 sixth-round pick. Johnson has proved an effective depth add to the Jets’ running back corps, especially considering the injury luck they have had at the position in 2021. Johnson has actually played in more games this season than both free-agent acquisition Tevin Coleman and fourth-round pick Michael Carter.

Johnson has 55 rushing attempts for 204 yards and a touchdown through Week 14, but he has really stood out in the passing game. Johnson’s 50 targets rank fourth among Jets receivers, and he has turned them into 31 receptions, 325 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

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Age: 28

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $1,600,000 (0.9%)

• 2022: $2,900,000 (1.3%)

The Steelers are a bit of a tough nut to crack. All of their top contributors on offense are still on their rookie contracts. On the defensive side of the ball, T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Joe Schobert and Joe Haden are some of the highest-paid players at their respective positions. You can’t build a defense out of exclusively stars and rookies, though.

The Steelers signed Chris Wormley to a two-year deal this offseason after he first joined the team in 2020. Wormley is in the midst of a career year with Pittsburgh after cementing himself as a starter in the Steelers’ front seven. His 44 total tackles through 14 games already serves as a career high, while his six sacks have nearly doubled his career total prior to this year. That sack mark also serves as third highest on the team behind only Watt and Heyward. Pittsburgh’s defense isn’t seeing the same success it had in years prior, but getting effective players like Wormley on great deals is why this unit is more than its top names and young stars.

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Age: 24

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

When you have an offense centered around three skill position players, it’s tough to function when all three of those players go down with injury at some point this year. The loss of Derrick Henry meant that the typically run-heavy Titans would have to integrate more of a passing game. Tennessee’s top receivers, A.J. Brown and Julio Jones, haven’t exactly been models of health — playing 10 and eight games this season respectively. There have even been games this year in which neither Brown nor Jones played, leaving Tannehill to fend for himself.

Westbrook-Ikhine was picked up by Tennessee in 2020 as an undrafted free agent, and despite seeing just eight targets his rookie season, he has been asked to step up in a major way in 2021. Westbrook-Ikhine ranks second on the team in targets (47), third on the team in receiving yards (360) and is part of the three-way tie for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (3) after Week 14. Having an option like Westbrook-Ikhine to step up in a pinch has helped keep the Titans afloat during a tumultuous season.

NFC

Age: 26

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

Conner signed a one-year deal this offseason to rejuvenate his career after a down year in Pittsburgh. What happened next was one of the greatest individual seasons of Conner’s career, and the perfect complement to Kyler Murray and Chase Edmonds in the Arizona backfield. Conner has run for 661 yards and 14 touchdowns, while being 13th in the league in rushing efficiency, per NFL’s Next Gen Stats, through 14 games.

More importantly, Conner has provided the thunder to Murray and Edmonds’ lightning, an important complement that has led to Arizona being 14th in rushing EPA/play. We also thought about Rodney Hudson and Markus Golden in this spot as well.

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Age: 30

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

This one is rather easy, as the resurgence of Patterson has not only been a story for the Falcons, but in the entire NFL. After years of not finding a consistent spot on a team as a running back or wide receiver, he has been allowed by the Falcons to do both. Patterson has run for 547 yards and five touchdowns — he is 22nd in Football Outsiders DYAR as a running back — while also catching five touchdowns and averaging 11 yards per reception through Week 14. This is coming during games where Calvin Ridley isn’t in the lineup. Patterson has become not only a feel-good story, but a viable offensive weapon for a team severely lacking them.

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Age: 27

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

Getting Haason Reddick with this contract could be one of the best moves from the NFL’s past offseason. Coming over from Arizona where he truly didn’t have a position, he has flourished as a true edge rusher in Carolina. He’s tied for fifth in the league in sacks and is third in pass rush win rate, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats. He has been the perfect complement for Brian Burns and has finally found his role in an NFL defense, not surprisingly coming under his former head coach at Temple, Matt Rhule. The Panthers’ season has been far from perfect, but Reddick could be considered a perfect signing for the Panthers.

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Age: 31

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $11,287,500 (5.9%)

• 2022: $17,137,500 (8.2%)

• 2023: $18,237,500 (7.0%)

• 2024: $17,237,500 (4.8%)

The Bears have dug themselves into a hole in terms of finding value and maximizing said value. Particularly at the quarterback position, where they are paying both Nick Foles and Andy Dalton, the Bears have not been smart in getting good value out of their contracts. However, they got great value out of Quinn.

The 31-year-old is having a career renaissance, ranking third in the NFL in sacks this year through Week 14, and is first in offensive and defensive line scout Brandon Thorn’s true sack rate. Quinn is being overshadowed by the Bears’ dysfunctional season, but what he has done this year at this age is remarkable and could provide a good look at what can happen when Khalil Mack is healthy again.

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Age: 29

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

The Cowboys gave Gregory an extension last year, despite his playing in 14 games only once, and missing the 2017 and 2019 seasons. What Gregory has done since is become an important cog in a ferocious defensive line unit for a revamped Cowboys defense. Gregory has amassed six sacks and 24 pressures, in addition to forcing three fumbles.

His resurgence has been massive for a Cowboys unit that’s tied for fifth in Football Outsiders’ adjusted sack rate, a significant improvement from the 26th-ranked unit last year, when Gregory played in only 10 games. We also toyed with picking Zack Martin in this spot, but Gregory’s contract is accounting for 1% of the cap, and Martin’s contract gets larger after this year (deservedly so, we might add).

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Age: 28

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

The Lions have really struggled to get value out of the contracts they give out in free agency and have been near the bottom of the league in terms of talent acquisition and development. They have one of the worst records in the league for a reason! However, they can bank on the fact that their offensive line has been rather solid this year, led by Taylor Decker.

Decker has been one of the few Lions draft picks to have worked out, and this year hasn’t been much different. As bad as the Lions are in so many ways, they’re 17th in adjusted line yards, a metric that separates the offensive line from the running back’s work in the open field based on cutting runs at specific distances. Furthermore, despite ranking 31st in offensive DVOA at a paltry -21.0%, the Lions are 23rd in rushing DVOA after Week 14. Decker has paired with center Frank Ragnow (who got paid this past offseason) and rookie Penei Sewell to give Detroit’s franchise a semblance of hope.

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Age: 28

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

Another one-year deal that has worked out beautifully features Campbell stepping into the middle linebacker role in the Packers’ defense. With new defensive coordinator Joe Barry bringing in a defense similar to the Rams’ under Brandon Staley, which utilizes lighter box defenses, the play of the Mike linebacker is critical. Campbell has not only stepped in and played up to par, but has possibly played himself into an All-Pro nod this year.

Campbell is ninth in the league in tackles through Week 14 and has helped Green Bay to rank 14th in Football Outsiders’ second-level yards metric, which is important considering the Packers are 29th in adjusted line yards. That means the Packers’ playing lighter boxes up front is allowing runners past the line of scrimmage, but Campbell has helped solidify the second level of the defense (yards 5-10 past the line of scrimmage).

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Age: 28

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $5,300,000 (2.8%)

• 2022: $18,300,000 (8.7%)

• 2023: $18,050,000 (8.0%)

• 2024 [Void]: $4,600,000 (1.5%)

• 2025 [Void]: $2,300,000 (0.5%)

Kupp signed a $48 million extension in 2020, and when you look at that contract compared to some of the other top wide receiver contracts, it could look like a bargain. Simply put, Kupp has been one of the best players in the league this year. He leads the league in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, and has been the most consistent offensive weapon in the league.

He’s also first in Football Outsiders’ defense-adjusted yards above replacement metric, or DYAR. In fact, he is on pace to set the all-time record for the best wide receiver season since 1983 in that metric. You could consider cornerback Darious Williams here, but statistically, Kupp has been the most valuable pass-catcher in football, which is great value at the contract he was given.

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Age: 29

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $12,467,500 (6.7%)

• 2022: $13,530,000 (6.5%)

• 2023: $11,430,000 (5.2%)

There’s something about the non-Packers teams in the NFC North and giving out massive contracts that reduce value. The Vikings are a weird team because they’re one of the best passing teams in the NFL — per DVOA (11th) — but none of their receivers outside of Justin Jefferson ranks in the top 20 in DYAR. Dalvin Cook would be an interesting pick here considering how many open-field yards the Vikings get on the ground, but he himself is outside the top 20 in DYAR among running backs. His backfield mate Alexander Mattison is higher in DYAR but is still on a drafted rookie contract, so that takes him out of the running here.

We settled on Eric Kendricks because he has given the Vikings high-quality play and helped them to a ranking of sixth in open-field yards allowed through Week 14, despite being dead last in adjusted line yards. The lack of help from the defensive front puts a lot of stress on Kendricks and the back group, and he has lived up to the bill. Kendricks is sixth in the NFL in tackles through Week 14 and has added four pass deflections and two interceptions as the leader of the Vikings’ defense.

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Age: 32

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

We had a tough time choosing between Davis and left tackle Terron Armstead, but ultimately we went with Davis because of how good he has been in a defensive unit that has been stellar this year — especially against the run. This year the Saints are first in DVOA against the run and are first in second-level yards as well. Simply put, that defensive front plays with an edge and Davis is the embodiment of that edge.

Despite his having only 88 tackles, 12 of them have been for loss, which equals the tackles for loss of the top three tackle getters combined. He has been one of the best at his position for a while now, and still getting that high level of play is great value out of that contract.

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Age: 30

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $4,050,000 (4.2%)

• 2022: $12,225,000 (5.8%)

• 2023: $12,225,000 (5.5%)

Not much has gone right for the Giants this season, but surprisingly they’ve been good in pass coverage on defense. Football Outsiders has them 10th in pass defense DVOA, and Ryan has been an important part of that. In the offseason, Ryan moved from slot corner to safety and has flourished in that role.

According to Football Outsiders, the Giants are seventh in DVOA allowed on passes in the deep middle area of the field, and in defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s scheme, Ryan has given up only one touchdown in coverage, according to Pro Football Reference. Despite his age, Ryan can potentially be a consistent contributor for the Giants in future years.

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Age: 34

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

If the Philadelphia Eagles do one thing really well, it’s run the football. They’re third in Football Outsiders’ run offense DVOA, and sixth in adjusted line yards. In addition, the Eagles are third in adjusted line yards running in the middle or between the two guards. Kelce has been the linchpin in that rushing offense, as the veteran’s consistent ability to get out and move has sparked a diverse run game in Philadelphia.

The best part about Kelce? His contract is extremely workable. He signed a reworked contract this offseason, but his future money can also be voided if the Eagles go in a different direction. If they stick with Kelce, his cap hit will go down every year until he’s a free agent. The veteran has given his all to the city of Philadelphia, and his contract remains team friendly as he gets older.

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Age: 26

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

The 49ers are an interesting team. The large contracts they’ve given out have seemingly worked out (Trent Williams, Alex Mack, George Kittle) — except for one (Jimmy Garoppolo). However, we think the quiet re-signing of D.J. Jones resulted in one of the better veteran contracts for the Niners. Jones is first in the NFL in run stop win rate as a defensive tackle and has been crucial to a front that is asked to do a lot in the grand scheme of San Francisco’s defense. Jones has seven tackles for loss and a sack through Week 14, which seem like meager numbers, but his ability to free up space for Arik Armstead and Nick Bosa has been important for a resurgent 49ers team.

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Age: 28

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

Diggs has been one of the best safeties in football this year. He has a Pro Football Focus grade of 66.9 and has four interceptions and six pass deflections for a defense that has sorely needed Diggs and Jamal Adams on the back end. Per Football Outsiders, the Seahawks are sixth in DVOA on passes deep over the middle, and Diggs deserves much of the credit. Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. asks a lot of his safeties — from rotating late to single high coverage to playing the run aggressively in the alley. Diggs has done that and more, and is extremely valuable to Seattle’s defensive success, especially on the last year of his contract.

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Age: 31

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $3,360,000 (1.9%)

• 2022: $14,875,000 (7.0%)

• 2023 [Void]: $6,855,000 (2.7%)

• 2024 [Void]: $2,285,000 (0.7%)

• 2025 [Void]: $2,285,000 (0.5%)

Originally, we were going to choose wide receiver Chris Godwin for this spot, because he provides immense value for playing on the franchise tag, but in 2021 Lavonte David’s cap hit is smaller than that of kicker Ryan Succop or defensive end William Gholston. David has long been one of the league’s most underrated defenders and is a key piece to a dominant defense.

Unfortunately, David was injured against New Orleans in Week 15 and will miss the rest of the regular season. But he had 86 tackles through Week 14 and was a great complement to Devin White in the middle of that Tampa defense, which is seventh in total DVOA and fifth against the pass. At 31, he’s exiting his prime, but he still has good years of play to give to Tampa.

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Age: 28

Remaining contract (cap hit, percentage of cap):

• 2021: $1,593,750 (0.8%)

• 2022: $2,875,000 (1.3%)

Hey look, a quarterback! Heinecke has given Washington a semblance of quarterback play in a season where what was believed to be a strong WFT defense fell apart due to injury and bad secondary play. Heinecke captivated the NFL last season in his gutsy performance against the Buccaneers in the playoffs, and this season has played relatively well given the circumstances he was thrown into. Washington has missed free-agent signing Curtis Samuel for most of the year, and outside of Terry McLaurin, no receiver has even enough targets to qualify for Football Outsiders’ DYAR chart.

Heinecke has thrown for 2,931 yards and 19 touchdowns while ranking 16th in DYAR. He has repeatedly excelled on third and fourth down when the team needs him to make a play. The best part about Heinecke’s play is that he’s not accounting for a lot of money against the cap at all. At worst, he can be a serviceable backup for Washington, and as we’ve seen, that can be very valuable.