Offense
QB: Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
Try this math: Cincy pays Dalton a little more than $1 million per year on his deal (four years, $5.2 million), gets 16 starts, 3,400 yards passing and a playoff berth. And that's just the start. The real value comes when the Bengals dealt Carson Palmer and his $16.25 million 2011 salary cap number to the Oakland Raiders for two No. 1 picks. In terms of value added plus sunk cost dumped, Dalton was a rainmaker.
RB: Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Well, this is awkward, but we had to. #PayForte was the phrase and also the jinx. Forte was playing at an MVP level with a cap hit of just $938,000 before getting injured. We're glad to see he's confident he'll get a new deal. At least he was offered a Pro Bowl trip. So was …
RB: LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles
Philly got 1,309 rushing yards, 315 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns (more than the St. Louis Rams as a team) out of McCoy, whose $822K cap number was less than a quarter of Vince Young's. Shady indeed. Between McCoy and DeSean Jackson, Philly has big decisions on the horizon.
WR: Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers
With 1,193 receiving yards, Wallace finished 11th in the NFL. That's not a startling total, given Wallace's draft position. What is? Maybe that his cap number of $663K is 3 percent of Larry Fitzgerald's, which sits at more than $20 million. Wallace is also headed to Hawaii.
WR: Victor Cruz, New York Giants
With 1,536 receiving yards at a filthy 18.7 yards per catch, Cruz has a cap number of $405K. Former Giant and current Jet Plaxico Burress is at more than $3 million.
TE: Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots and Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints (tie)
Call them the Transformers. Both have reshaped the respective offenses in Foxboro and New Orleans. Gronk(!!) has 90 catches for 1,327 yards and 18 total TDs for a cap hit of $853K, and Graham had 99 catches, 1,310 receiving yards and 11 TDs at a cap hit of $571K. Bob Sugar should be calling both regularly.
OT: Jermon Bushrod, Saints
The two-year, $9.8 million deal -- with a $3.5 million signing bonus -- isn't similar to some of the guys above on this list, but it's a cheap rate to protect Drew Brees' blindside at a Pro Bowl level and help anchor maybe the NFL's best O-line.
OT: Marcus Gilbert, Steelers
The Steelers O-line has improved, and Gilbert, for a cap number of less than $600K, is a find as a rookie. Pittsburgh went into 2011 with major questions on the O-line, but Gilbert has played well.
G: Brian Waters, Patriots
The Pats got a Pro Bowl year out of a guy they inked to a two-year, $3 million deal back in September. Does it get mentioned enough how the offensive line has been the key to that offense for years? It is? Ok.
G: Carl Nicks, Saints
The Saints locked him down for just $2.61 million for 2011 and got a Pro Bowl year in exchange. Again, that line is extremely good. (By the way: I don't worship at the Pro Bowl altar, but it's worth pointing out.)
C: Scott Wells, Green Bay Packers
He's not free, but at a $3.35 million cap hit, he's by far the cheapest of the Pro Bowl centers this season. And he gets bonus points for standing in front of the Discount Double Check.
K: Mike Nugent, Bengals
We love Sebastian Janikowski, but Nugent went 33-of-38 (second to David Akers in makes) for far less than the Polish Cannon, who got four years and $16 million last year. The Nuge should have a stranglehold on the job going forward.
Defense
DT: Geno Atkins, Bengals
He led all defensive tackles in sacks at 8.0 and did it at a fraction of the cost. Atkins has a cap number of just $523K for 2011. They are certainly different players, but consider that Pro Bowler Richard Seymour checks in at a cool $15 million against the cap for two fewer sacks. Atkins is a great value for Cincy.
DT: Karl Klug, Tennessee Titans
A fifth-round pick (check the fifth round of 2011 if you want to see a bunch of steals) out of Iowa, Klug was only the third-best defensive lineman on his college team, according to scouts. But he had 7.0 sacks, third-best among DTs, at a league-minimum rate, or below $500K. He is starting to build what his game relies on: leverage.
DE: Chris Clemons, Seattle Seahawks
One of the surprise players of the year, and best value signings, Clemons gave Seattle often elite pass-rushing at a fraction of the usual cost, with a 2011 payout of just $2.3 million. He tied for ninth in the NFL in sacks with 11.0.
DE: Cliff Avril, Detroit Lions
He could afford rent, but getting 11.0 sacks at a $2.61 million cap number is stealing by NFL standards. Could Avril draw a franchise tag in 2012? He's still just 25 and could be an edge force on a line that could be good for years.
OLB: Connor Barwin, Houston Texans
Good health + Wade Phillips = a huge year. Barwin thrived in 2011, with 11.5 sacks a year after playing just a few snaps in 2010. He carries just an $832K cap number, so Houston got a ton out of the third-year player out of Cincinnati.
OLB: Antwan Barnes, San Diego Chargers
Never able to truly break through in Baltimore, where he was often relegated to special teams duty, Barnes piled up 11.0 sacks for the Chargers at a cap number of just $1.6M. Former teammate Terrell Suggs had three more sacks but at almost exactly six times the cost based on the cap.
ILB: Pat Angerer, Indianapolis Colts
Yeah, he was a little like a great offensive rebounder on a team that couldn't shoot -- Angerer's piled up tackles in part because Indy's offense couldn't stay on the field and the defense couldn't get off it -- but 146 tackles is a lot, and his cap number was just $740K.
ILB: NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers
Patrick Willis gets the love, but Bowman was huge for the 49ers in 2011, a key to their stout run defense. He led the team in tackles at 134 and for a cap number of only $756K. Willis got $29 million worth of guarantees in a deal he signed in 2010. Bowman might be next up.
CB: Brandon Browner, Seahawks
He should be in the Pro Bowl. Browner had six INTs and led the league with 22 passes defensed (that's one more than a certain Darrelle Revis). And Browner is playing on a reserve/future contract (see: about $375K) after coming over from the CFL. He needs to work on avoiding pass interference, but the 6-foot-4 DB, who looks more like a safety, is look going to look more like wealthy soon.
CB: Lardarius Webb, Baltimore Ravens
He'll be a restricted free agent here in 2012, but Webb had 20 passes defensed and five INTs in 2011 and helped make the Baltimore secondary strong even with some health issues, so he's due for a raise. His cap number was just $656K.
S: Kam Chancellor, Seahawks
Earl Thomas is the big name in Seattle (and now a Pro Bowler), but Chancellor really developed in 2011. The former Virginia Tech star had four INTs and 94 tackles and made just $405K in 2011.
S: Dashon Goldson, 49ers
He signed a one-year, $2 million deal before the season and tied for second in the NFL with six INTs. The former corner out of Washington is also a big hitter.
P: Zoltan Mesko, Patriots
Mesko led the league in a stat we cherish, percentage of punts inside the 20, and counts at less than $500K toward the New England cap. Zoltan!
Chris Sprow is a senior editor for ESPN The Magazine and Insider. He reports and edits on many sports and works year-round with Mel Kiper on NFL draft coverage. He also oversees ESPN's Rumor Central and has been a regular guest on ESPN networks in that role. You can find his ESPN archives here and find him on Twitter here.
QB: Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
Try this math: Cincy pays Dalton a little more than $1 million per year on his deal (four years, $5.2 million), gets 16 starts, 3,400 yards passing and a playoff berth. And that's just the start. The real value comes when the Bengals dealt Carson Palmer and his $16.25 million 2011 salary cap number to the Oakland Raiders for two No. 1 picks. In terms of value added plus sunk cost dumped, Dalton was a rainmaker.
RB: Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Well, this is awkward, but we had to. #PayForte was the phrase and also the jinx. Forte was playing at an MVP level with a cap hit of just $938,000 before getting injured. We're glad to see he's confident he'll get a new deal. At least he was offered a Pro Bowl trip. So was …
RB: LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles
Philly got 1,309 rushing yards, 315 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns (more than the St. Louis Rams as a team) out of McCoy, whose $822K cap number was less than a quarter of Vince Young's. Shady indeed. Between McCoy and DeSean Jackson, Philly has big decisions on the horizon.
WR: Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers
With 1,193 receiving yards, Wallace finished 11th in the NFL. That's not a startling total, given Wallace's draft position. What is? Maybe that his cap number of $663K is 3 percent of Larry Fitzgerald's, which sits at more than $20 million. Wallace is also headed to Hawaii.
WR: Victor Cruz, New York Giants
With 1,536 receiving yards at a filthy 18.7 yards per catch, Cruz has a cap number of $405K. Former Giant and current Jet Plaxico Burress is at more than $3 million.
TE: Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots and Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints (tie)
Call them the Transformers. Both have reshaped the respective offenses in Foxboro and New Orleans. Gronk(!!) has 90 catches for 1,327 yards and 18 total TDs for a cap hit of $853K, and Graham had 99 catches, 1,310 receiving yards and 11 TDs at a cap hit of $571K. Bob Sugar should be calling both regularly.
OT: Jermon Bushrod, Saints
The two-year, $9.8 million deal -- with a $3.5 million signing bonus -- isn't similar to some of the guys above on this list, but it's a cheap rate to protect Drew Brees' blindside at a Pro Bowl level and help anchor maybe the NFL's best O-line.
OT: Marcus Gilbert, Steelers
The Steelers O-line has improved, and Gilbert, for a cap number of less than $600K, is a find as a rookie. Pittsburgh went into 2011 with major questions on the O-line, but Gilbert has played well.
G: Brian Waters, Patriots
The Pats got a Pro Bowl year out of a guy they inked to a two-year, $3 million deal back in September. Does it get mentioned enough how the offensive line has been the key to that offense for years? It is? Ok.
G: Carl Nicks, Saints
The Saints locked him down for just $2.61 million for 2011 and got a Pro Bowl year in exchange. Again, that line is extremely good. (By the way: I don't worship at the Pro Bowl altar, but it's worth pointing out.)
C: Scott Wells, Green Bay Packers
He's not free, but at a $3.35 million cap hit, he's by far the cheapest of the Pro Bowl centers this season. And he gets bonus points for standing in front of the Discount Double Check.
K: Mike Nugent, Bengals
We love Sebastian Janikowski, but Nugent went 33-of-38 (second to David Akers in makes) for far less than the Polish Cannon, who got four years and $16 million last year. The Nuge should have a stranglehold on the job going forward.
Defense
DT: Geno Atkins, Bengals
He led all defensive tackles in sacks at 8.0 and did it at a fraction of the cost. Atkins has a cap number of just $523K for 2011. They are certainly different players, but consider that Pro Bowler Richard Seymour checks in at a cool $15 million against the cap for two fewer sacks. Atkins is a great value for Cincy.
DT: Karl Klug, Tennessee Titans
A fifth-round pick (check the fifth round of 2011 if you want to see a bunch of steals) out of Iowa, Klug was only the third-best defensive lineman on his college team, according to scouts. But he had 7.0 sacks, third-best among DTs, at a league-minimum rate, or below $500K. He is starting to build what his game relies on: leverage.
DE: Chris Clemons, Seattle Seahawks
One of the surprise players of the year, and best value signings, Clemons gave Seattle often elite pass-rushing at a fraction of the usual cost, with a 2011 payout of just $2.3 million. He tied for ninth in the NFL in sacks with 11.0.
DE: Cliff Avril, Detroit Lions
He could afford rent, but getting 11.0 sacks at a $2.61 million cap number is stealing by NFL standards. Could Avril draw a franchise tag in 2012? He's still just 25 and could be an edge force on a line that could be good for years.
OLB: Connor Barwin, Houston Texans
Good health + Wade Phillips = a huge year. Barwin thrived in 2011, with 11.5 sacks a year after playing just a few snaps in 2010. He carries just an $832K cap number, so Houston got a ton out of the third-year player out of Cincinnati.
OLB: Antwan Barnes, San Diego Chargers
Never able to truly break through in Baltimore, where he was often relegated to special teams duty, Barnes piled up 11.0 sacks for the Chargers at a cap number of just $1.6M. Former teammate Terrell Suggs had three more sacks but at almost exactly six times the cost based on the cap.
ILB: Pat Angerer, Indianapolis Colts
Yeah, he was a little like a great offensive rebounder on a team that couldn't shoot -- Angerer's piled up tackles in part because Indy's offense couldn't stay on the field and the defense couldn't get off it -- but 146 tackles is a lot, and his cap number was just $740K.
ILB: NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers
Patrick Willis gets the love, but Bowman was huge for the 49ers in 2011, a key to their stout run defense. He led the team in tackles at 134 and for a cap number of only $756K. Willis got $29 million worth of guarantees in a deal he signed in 2010. Bowman might be next up.
CB: Brandon Browner, Seahawks
He should be in the Pro Bowl. Browner had six INTs and led the league with 22 passes defensed (that's one more than a certain Darrelle Revis). And Browner is playing on a reserve/future contract (see: about $375K) after coming over from the CFL. He needs to work on avoiding pass interference, but the 6-foot-4 DB, who looks more like a safety, is look going to look more like wealthy soon.
CB: Lardarius Webb, Baltimore Ravens
He'll be a restricted free agent here in 2012, but Webb had 20 passes defensed and five INTs in 2011 and helped make the Baltimore secondary strong even with some health issues, so he's due for a raise. His cap number was just $656K.
S: Kam Chancellor, Seahawks
Earl Thomas is the big name in Seattle (and now a Pro Bowler), but Chancellor really developed in 2011. The former Virginia Tech star had four INTs and 94 tackles and made just $405K in 2011.
S: Dashon Goldson, 49ers
He signed a one-year, $2 million deal before the season and tied for second in the NFL with six INTs. The former corner out of Washington is also a big hitter.
P: Zoltan Mesko, Patriots
Mesko led the league in a stat we cherish, percentage of punts inside the 20, and counts at less than $500K toward the New England cap. Zoltan!
Chris Sprow is a senior editor for ESPN The Magazine and Insider. He reports and edits on many sports and works year-round with Mel Kiper on NFL draft coverage. He also oversees ESPN's Rumor Central and has been a regular guest on ESPN networks in that role. You can find his ESPN archives here and find him on Twitter here.
