Best veteran contracts on every NFL team: What's next for all 32

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. We analyzed the rosters of all 32 NFL teams and picked out the most valuable contract on each one. Then, we had NFL Nation reporters give us some insights on each player from teammates, coaches or the player himself, along with what his next contract could look like (and where it could be).

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.

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 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. All player charting data used is from Sports Info Solutions unless otherwise stated.

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ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
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JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN | NE
NO | NYG | NYJ | OAK | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills: Micah Hyde, S

Age: 28
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $6.618 million (3.5%), 2020: $6.7 million (3.4%), 2021: $6.75 million

Why his contract is so valuable: If the best way to determine if a player is good is the approval of his peers, Buffalo's opponents sure don't want to throw at Micah Hyde. Sports Info Solutions had him with just 27 targets last season, despite a forward role in the defense, and in six games this season, he has been targeted just nine times. Hyde was a big steal in free agency for Brandon Beane, and as a safety for a defense that through Week 7 had a -11.6% DVOA on deep passes (third in the NFL), he has covered an awful lot of ground. -- McCown

What's next? The Packers let Hyde go without a contract offer. Buffalo won't make the same mistake. Arguably the Bills' best player, Hyde, who was honored by his inclusion on this list, is in line for an extension that should position him among the highest-paid safeties in the NFL. He'll be 31 when his five-year, $30.5 million contract expires after the 2021 season, but Dolphins safety Reshad Jones was 29 when he signed a five-year, $60 million deal with the Dolphins. Hyde will likely receive an extension before he turns 30. His secondary mate, Jordan Poyer, said Hyde is "one of the most valuable players on the team," thanks to his effectiveness and versatility, though Poyer could also be considered one of the league's best-value contracts at four years, $13.5 million. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

Miami Dolphins: Preston Williams, WR

Age: 22
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $498,333 (0.3%), 2020: $588,333 (0.3%), 2021: $673,334

Why his contract is so valuable: On a real, non-tanking football team, we'd probably have a better pick for this category. Williams has done some good things but is also a UDFA receiver with six professional games under his belt; there were some off-field concerns prior to the draft that caused him to go undrafted. As it is, the Dolphins have only a few players who make real money, most of whom are fairly compensated or on rookie contracts. You could probably make an argument that Eric Rowe or Jesse Davis is a more stable asset. But, hey, if you want to tank, one big draw is that you get to dream on your finds, right? So here's your big find, Miami. If Williams continues to improve and be a big part of Miami's three-wide packages, he'll be a bargain for years to come. -- McCown

What's next? Williams remembers all the receivers who were drafted in 2019, noting that many of them went in the second round. "I was top-five coming out of college in receiving yards and touchdowns, so it didn't add up," Williams said. "But they like who they like. I'm in the best place, best situation for me to succeed right now." Unlike some of those receivers drafted before him, Williams has already solidified himself as an every-down starter in Miami, and he leads the team in receiving yards. "It's cool to be on a list like this because it means I've had some early success. Undrafted, big contract, small contract, I just want to play football. I haven't really thought about the numbers like that," said Williams, who signed a three-year deal as an undrafted free agent. He's making just $495,000 this season, but he'll be eligible to sign an extension following the 2020 season, allowing him to cash in before many drafted players. -- Cameron Wolfe

New England Patriots: J.C. Jackson, CB

Age: 23
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $573,333 (0.3%), 2020: $663,334 (0.3%), 2021: RFA

Why his contract is so valuable: Tom Brady's willingness to use his contract to help facilitate greatness for the Patriots is a big reason the Patriots are so good. New England's draft manipulation and stockpiling of picks via the compensatory pick system is also a big reason the Patriots are so good. And then, hey, they found an undrafted free agent who came on toward the end of last season who just happens to be allowing 3.0 yards per target in 2019, has already picked five interceptions in five career starts and has defensed five more balls just for fun. When the Patriots get this good of a result on an undrafted free agent who is going to be cheap for the next three years, it feels unfair. -- McCown

What's next? Currently No. 4 on the team's cornerback depth chart, Jackson is primed for a larger role in the future and a second contract after making the team as an undrafted free agent in 2018. "J.C.'s got a good skill set," coach Bill Belichick said. "He's got good coverage ability, he's quick, he's got pretty good length for a corner, runs well, and he's got excellent ball skills and excellent hands." Added CB coach Mike Pellegrino: "He's made a great jump in his sophomore year. Pleasure to work with him and very excited for him moving forward." -- Mike Reiss

New York Jets: Robby Anderson, WR

Age: 26
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $3.1 million (1.6%)

Why his contract is so valuable: Yes, Anderson's numbers are down this season, but you can blame Luke Falk for that. (It didn't help to be covered by Stephon Gilmore last week.) Anderson came on late last season and has continuously been one of the most aspirational players in the NFL. The Jets know they want him involved in the offense, but they just can't figure out how to do it. Heading into the last year of his contract, Anderson figures to be an interesting free agent. Before you get into how his numbers look, remember that Tyrell Williams found almost $10 million per season coming off a 65-target effort. Somebody is going to look at Anderson's speed and wonder how it would play in their offense. -- McCown

What's next? Anderson, making $3 million on a one-year deal (his RFA tender), is looking to make a big score in the free-agent market. He went into the season saying that he has the potential to be "the best wide receiver in the NFL.'' But the Jets' offensive struggles are costing him money. At his current pace, he'll finish with only 45 catches for 709 yards. The Jets believe Anderson has expanded his route tree, but they're concerned about his consistency, and that could prompt them to shy away from a long-term investment. The final 10 games will be critical for Anderson. -- Rich Cimini

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens: Michael Pierce, DT

Age: 26
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $3.095 million

Why his contract is so valuable: This pretty much came down to how you value Pierce against offseason bargain Pernell McPhee. Both players are good against the run and contributors against the pass, and I think both have a great understanding of the game. Pierce added seven defeats and 11 hurries in 2018, and at 26, he is probably a more valuable asset long-term. This season, Pierce has six hurries, two hits and two tackles for loss. He's well on pace for another solid season and contributes plenty of run stuffs. Heading into unrestricted free agency next year, I think Pierce is a good bet to double his salary next season. -- McCown

What's next? Pierce does a lot of the dirty work for the NFL's No. 3 run defense, but he receives little recognition or top payment for it. His $3 million salary this season ranks 16th among defensive tackles. "He's invaluable," defensive line coach Joe Cullen said. "He is playing violent on the center, and he does a great job of commanding two blockers. And when they don't do that, he's usually making a play." Pierce is a free agent at the end of the season, and the Ravens would love to keep him. But Baltimore has a huge investment in defensive tackle Brandon Williams, which likely means Pierce will get his payday elsewhere. -- Jamison Hensley

Cincinnati Bengals: Alex Erickson, WR

Age: 26
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $1.76 million (0.9%), 2020: $1.86 million (0.9%)

Why his contract is so valuable: Erickson was one of the best kick returners in the NFL last season, has been a high-efficiency underneath target whenever called upon and signed a long-term extension for relative peanuts. He's the kind of player who was made for a list such as this. Just when we were starting to wonder if he were lost behind Auden Tate, Erickson busted out in a big way with a 137-yard day against the Jaguars in Week 7, catching eight of 14 balls. The Bengals have not exactly hit gold in free agency lately, so there actually weren't many contenders for this spot. Kerry Wynn is another lineman signed last season who plays a big role on special teams. -- McCown

What's next? In 2016, Erickson was the lone undrafted free agent to make the Bengals' 53-man roster. Although he was a prolific receiver at Wisconsin, that isn't why he found a home with the Bengals. "When I first made this team, it was primarily as a returner," Erickson said. "Special teams gave me a shot to develop as a receiver and continue to improve on that." He did enough in his first two seasons to earn a two-year contract extension worth more than $4 million. Erickson is still the team's primary punt returner and has seen his role in the passing attack increase. The 6-foot receiver already has 19 catches in 2019, which is one off his career high for a season. -- Ben Baby

Cleveland Browns: JC Tretter, C

Age: 28
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $7.25 million (3.9%)

Why his contract is so valuable: Signed from the Packers in part because of an "injury-prone" tag, Tretter has played like a top-10 center the past three seasons and has been given the contract of a solid starting lineman. Sports Info Solutions noted Tretter responsible for just six blown blocks last season, and this season, that number is one in five starts. Still not out of his 20s, Tretter is probably going to be an in-demand free agent next offseason. -- McCown

What's next? Tretter is aware that linemen don't always get the love, so he appreciates being on this list. "You agree to a deal, and you try to play to the best of your abilities," he said. "Offensive line is that position where you don't usually get noticed for much positive things. You usually get noticed for the negatives. But it's always the offensive lineman's mantra of go out and do your job. You try to make the other guys look good." Although the rest of the Browns' offense hasn't always looked good, Tretter has been a pillar of stability. He is in the final year of his deal; however, the Browns just jettisoned former second-round pick Austin Corbett after grooming him at center. The Browns have cap space for the future, but they also have several big-money contracts looming. Either way, Tretter figures to be a better-paid starter somewhere next season. -- Jake Trotter

Pittsburgh Steelers: Alejandro Villanueva, OT

Age: 31
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $8.4 million (4.5%), 2020: $8.4 million (4.2%)

Why his contract is so valuable: Villanueva came to the Steelers late because he was active-duty military, but the massive left tackle has been one of the league's best since he took over as a UDFA in 2015. He has been rock-solid, taking almost every snap for the Steelers the past three seasons. He has blown fewer than 15 blocks in two of those three seasons. Even "solid" left tackles make more than Villanueva made on his deal with the Steelers. Cordy Glenn is making $9.25 million in 2019. D.J. Humphries is making $9.625 million. Donovan Smith is making $12.5 million. Villanueva has been better and more consistent than all three of them, and his contract has been a huge win for the Steelers. -- McCown

What's next? Villanueva is well aware that almost half the left tackles in the NFL are paid more than he is, but the former Army Ranger's life experience gives him a unique perspective on his bargain contract. "For me, I know this sounds crazy, but I watch the most gory videos I can see every single morning so that I can remind myself of how lucky I am that I'm in this country," he said. "A lot of people take for granted what it's like to grow up in 2019 in the United States. You could be born in so many different countries, in a different era. What's [the odds of winning] three lotteries? Once you get one, it's kind of like ...

"That's my attitude in life, personally. But from a football standpoint, [the low contract] is extremely unfair. I want to go up to [general manager] Kevin's [Colbert] office and steal his stapler," the tackle joked. Villanueva is in the penultimate year of his four-year extension, signed in 2017, and it was restructured a year ago to free up more cap space. The Steelers like to keep veterans around, so it seems likely that Villanueva will be up for another payday when this contract runs out. -- Brooke Pryor

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans: J.J. Watt, DE

Age: 30
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $14,628,750 (8.0%), 2020: $15.5 million (7.8%), 2021: $17.5 million

Why his contract is so valuable: This is going to take some unpacking because I know this is a weird name to see on this list. Watt signed his contract in 2014. Times have changed drastically for edge rushers, and though Watt is among the highest-paid 3-4 ends, he's no longer making superstar pass-rusher money. Aaron Donald's cap hit is $17 million this year and will be $25 million in 2020. Khalil Mack's 2020 cap hit is going to be $26 million. Von Miller's cap hit this season is $25.1 million. Meanwhile, Watt has maintained superstar production to the point that -- and this is rare -- the back end of the contract, normally where you dump years and dollar figures players are never supposed to see, has instead become a bargain. It's always possible that the Texans do him a solid and give him a little bonus money along the way, but they're going to be negotiating from a good position. -- McCown

What's next? Watt signed his contract five years ago, and at the time, it made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. But because of the way salaries have risen in the NFL, the $14.6 million Watt is making in 2019 makes him underpaid, especially considering the way he has played the past two seasons. Nose tackle D.J. Reader said Watt knows he signed the contract a while ago, but "he doesn't cause any distractions. ... He just goes out there and plays. It's a testament to him." Watt has two years left on his contract but does not have any guaranteed money left after this season. Houston could restructure his contract after the season, perhaps extending his deal by a year or two and lowering his annual salary but guaranteeing most of the contract. -- Sarah Barshop

Indianapolis Colts: Kenny Moore II, CB

Age: 24
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $9 million (4.8%), 2020: $6 million (3.0%), 2021: $5.65 million, 2022: $5.75 million, 2023: $7.54 million

Why his contract is so valuable: Moore is kind of a contradiction in terms: He's a great slot cornerback, which is a brand of player that tends to have up-and-down seasons. He's also a great pass-rusher at cornerback, which he showed in devastating the Texans in the playoffs. Moore broke up seven passes and had three picks in 2018 to go with 1.5 sacks and eight pressures on 43 pass rushes. Although the Colts haven't had quite as much success rushing him this season, he did sack Patrick Mahomes in Week 5. The way Moore's contract is designed is also interesting. Almost all of his big cap hit comes this year, when the Colts had plenty of room to play with. For the rest of his deal, the Colts are getting what they hope is a premium slot corner for not much of a cap impact. Denico Autry is another player who got some consideration for this spot. -- McCown

What's next? Moore was an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State, an NCAA Division II school, and he was released by the Patriots during final roster cuts in 2017. The Colts swooped him up, and he has played bigger and stronger than his 5-foot-9 frame. The Colts like Moore so much that they made him the highest paid slot cornerback when they gave him a four-year contract extension that will pay him more than $30 million in total. "It's not just the high-level play, but it's the consistency of play," coach Frank Reich said at the time. "That's really what I think he embodies. We saw his playmaking ability last year on the ball, sack, blitzer. But really just the way he brings that every day out in practice." -- Mike Wells

Jacksonville Jaguars: Calais Campbell, DE

Age: 33
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $14.5 million (7.7%), 2020: $17.5 million (8.8%)

Why his contract is so valuable: Just like Watt, Campbell is a true star end who is playing on a contract that would have been onerous in 2017, but in 2019, the cap has grown to the point that it's pretty fair. Campbell is older than Watt, so I suppose you could argue that he might be more likely to stop producing soon. Campbell has also been dinged up this season. Of course, when healthy, he has already produced three sacks and 19 hurries this season, numbers that are well in line with his previous two seasons in Jacksonville. As long as Campbell keeps playing like he has the past couple of seasons, the Jaguars should be happy to keep paying him at this level. -- McCown

What's next? The Jaguars are paying Campbell $12 million this season (with a cap hit of $14.5 million), and he's worth every penny. He finished 2018 as a top-ranked edge rusher, and through seven games this season, he shows no signs of slowing at age 33. The only concession to his age is that the Jaguars are giving him a veteran day off each week. "That's one of the things that Rebs [DL coach Jason Rebrovich] and I talk about quite a bit, is how are we going to get some of our older players to the game healthy and rested?" defensive coordinator Todd Wash said. "And I think so far the plan has worked out really well. I think Calais has got a lot of football in him if we manage him right. And if we don't, then that's our fault. But if we manage him, he still can make a lot of plays." -- Mike DiRocco

Tennessee Titans: Ben Jones, C

Age: 30
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $5.375 million (2.9%), 2020: $6.25 million (3.1%), 2021: $7.25 million

Why his contract is so valuable: Although Jones has never been -- and likely will never be -- a Hall of Fame-level center, he has been one of the steadiest in football at the position the past three seasons. Jones started all 16 games in each of the past three seasons and blew just 28 blocks in that time. He has blown only two in his seven starts this season. In the meantime, Jones' contract pays him as just a solid starter. Ryan Kalil has a higher cap hit, despite being 34 and coming out of retirement. Nick Martin has a higher cap figure and is still trying to have one season as good as what Jones has done his past three. -- McCown

What's next? Having signed a two-year contract extension worth $13.5 million, Jones is secured as the team's center through the 2021 season. There's always a possibility that the Titans will draft a center to take over eventually, and they showed significant interest in rookie centers Erik McCoy and Garrett Bradbury before last year's draft. But they chose to retain Jones, whose extension carries a reasonable 17th-highest average salary ($6.75 million) among NFL centers. When asked about his contract extension being viewed as a bargain, Jones focused only on how he is glad he'll get the opportunity to be with the Titans in the foreseeable future. "I'm happy to be here. It's a blessing. I love this team. I love what we have going on here from upper management to the coaches. I love it, and I'm happy to be a part of it," he said. -- Turron Davenport

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos: Todd Davis, LB

Age: 27
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $5 million (2.7%), 2020: $6 million (3.0%)

Why his contract is so valuable: Splitting out raw completion percentages against linebackers always feels weird because so much of the current NFL game is against them. But per SportsRadar, Davis is allowing 5.3 yards per target in 2019 and has mostly limited the underneath gains as the main cover linebacker for the Broncos the past three seasons. Davis mixed in 11 pass pressures under Vance Joseph in 2018 and has a pretty reasonable contract for a player who contributes two ways without dominating in one specific area. If Bryce Callahan had been healthy enough to play this season, we'd probably consider him for this list. And though Phillip Lindsay definitely deserves some love, the Broncos have essentially made him a part-time player with Royce Freeman. -- McCown

What's next? When the Broncos claimed Davis off waivers (from the Saints) in 2014, the thinking was that he would add some depth, some speed and some athleticism and they liked what they knew about his work ethic. They've gotten so much more, given that he played in every game for a Super Bowl winner in the 2015 season and has been a starter the past four seasons. Or as linebacker Von Miller put it: "[Davis] just shows if a guy has that go-to-work attitude and gets the right opportunity, he can show what kind of player he is. [Davis] is always prepared, always studies and can do everything on the field.'' The Broncos signed Davis to a three-year, $15 million deal in March 2018, and he continues to be one of the best all-around values in the league. -- Jeff Legwold

Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Kelce, TE

Age: 30
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $10.7 million (5.7%), 2020: $10.4 million (5.2%), 2021: $9 million

Why his contract is so valuable: Kelce is one of the highest paid tight ends in football, yes, but he also offers incredible value as the rare tight end to live up to his contract. Kelce has ranked in the top 20 in DVOA and the top 10 in DYAR among all tight ends in every season the Chiefs have featured him. He has been in the top two DYAR finishes at tight end each of the past three seasons. Other highly paid tight ends this season include Jimmy Graham, who has been a negative DVOA target since 2016, the always-hurt Jordan Reed and a tier of guys such as Trey Burton and Eric Ebron. When you compare Kelce to the top wideouts in the NFL, his salary gets even more laughable. Kelce's contract only slopes down from here, so although he's getting to the age when decline becomes a possibility, he should continue to be a positive for the Chiefs. -- McCown

What's next? The Chiefs signed Kelce to a five-year, $46 million extension in January 2016, one year before he would have been eligible for free agency. Now that deal, which runs through 2021, looks like a bargain for the Chiefs. Kelce will be 32 when the contract expires, making predictions about whether the Chiefs will attempt to re-sign him dicey. But he trains hard and keeps himself in impeccable physical condition. There's no reason that Kelce can't be productive beyond the end of this contract and well into another, so look for the Chiefs to attempt to keep him around on one more contract. -- Adam Teicher

Los Angeles Chargers: Austin Ekeler, RB

Age: 24
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $646,668 (0.3%), 2020: RFA

Why his contract is so valuable: What did we learn from the Melvin Gordon contract situation? We learned that it didn't really hinder the Chargers all that much to have Gordon gone. For some teams, it would have been a real problem. But Ekeler plugged in and was fantastic in Gordon's absence, continuing to break tackles at roughly his career rate of 24% of touches and raising his share as a passing target with most of the non-Keenan Allen staff banged up for the Chargers. Hitting restricted free agency for the first time in 2020, Ekeler might be able to entice some bids of his own as Gordon angles for free agency. Although you'd rather have Gordon between the tackles, Ekeler has proven that he can hold his own in most categories. -- McCown

What's next? Even though Gordon held out this offseason for more money, Ekeler has been the most productive running back for the Chargers in 2019. Signed as an undrafted rookie in 2017, he currently leads all running backs in receiving yards (356) and has seven total touchdowns this season. He will be a restricted free agent after the season, and the Chargers' brass will certainly do their best to keep him in the fold. However, Ekeler should look to cash in the following year, when he's eligible for unrestricted free agency, similar to his former teammate, receiver Tyrell Williams. -- Eric D. Williams

Oakland Raiders: Richie Incognito, OG

Age: 36
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $569,118 (0.3%)

Why his contract is so valuable: Listen, Richie Incognito has been a pill to deal with for the entirety of the past five years of his career. There's the Dolphins bullying scandal, and there are his off-field issues that sent him away from the Bills. He doesn't seem like a particularly good addition to a locker room from the outside. But he is an incredible run-blocker and has done so even at an advanced age and coming off a suspension this season. Sports Info Solutions hasn't recorded a blown block in Incognito's first 184 snaps, nor has he allowed a sack. He's a player who won't appeal to many teams, but it's hard to deny how good he is when he's just playing football. -- McCown

What's next? The left guard fully agrees that his is the best-value contract on the Raiders' roster. "It's a situation where I wanted to get back in the league and prove myself and come back and play at a high level, and it's going according to plan," he said. "And the hope is the reward, much like [tight end] Darren Waller got on the other end of it [with a multi-year extension]. Hopefully I'll sign a contract and stay with the team for the long term." -- Paul Gutierrez

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys: Jeff Heath, S

Age: 28
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $2.95 million (1.6%)

Why his contract is so valuable: Suddenly a starter after the Cowboys let Barry Church walk following the 2017 season, Heath hasn't exactly been a dynamic tackler, but he is a solid coverage safety who reads the ball well in help defense. Heath has five pass breakups this season and had seven more in 2017 and 2018 to go with four interceptions. This season, Heath has also been much better in run support; he has missed only four tackles in seven starts. The Cowboys are largely a team on which the players making real money are either fairly compensated or overcompensated, but we also considered Christian Covington for this spot. -- McCown

What's next? Heath gets grief from many who see only mistakes. They don't see the big plays or even the ordinary plays he makes. He is not perfect, and the Cowboys would like to upgrade their safety spot, but he is reliable, healthy and a leader. Plus, he can play a multitude of roles on defense: in coverage on backs and tight ends, and as a blitzer. He is also a core special-teamer. It's unlikely that he will get a more lucrative contract, but he could earn a third contract from the team because of the aforementioned value. "He plays a ton of snaps on defense and plays a number of things on special teams, and he's really good at all of them. He just prepares the right way and plays the right way," Jason Garrett said. "The more guys you have like that on your team, the better your team is going to be." -- Todd Archer

New York Giants: Markus Golden, LB

Age: 26
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $3.28 million (1.7%)

Why his contract is so valuable: Golden had 12.5 sacks with the Cardinals in 2016 but suffered a torn ACL in 2017 and tumbled down the pecking order in Arizona when Steve Wilks changed the defensive scheme last season. Reunited with his defensive coordinator from his Arizona days, James Bettcher, in New York, Golden has five sacks and 17 pressures in seven starts for the Giants. As a 2-5 team in a loaded NFC, the Giants aren't exactly in good position to use Golden's production. But they might consider moving him before the trade deadline in an NFL that is suddenly very open for business. The team might get a nice draft pick or long-term asset if it is willing to listen to offers. -- McCown

What's next? Golden downplayed being on the list. He insists that he isn't concerned about proving to anyone outside his inner circle that he deserves a long-term deal this offseason. "I just want to keep working," he said. "I'm just so focused and locked in, I just want to do whatever I can to help the team win." But if he keeps producing at this pace (five sacks through seven games), there will be a financial reward when he hits free agency again this offseason. Golden said he'll worry about that after the season. In the meantime, he hopes his value pays off with the Giants winning. -- Jordan Raanan

Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Graham, DE

Age: 31
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $3.5 million (1.9%), 2020: $13.375 million (6.7%), 2021: $16.375 million

Why his contract is so valuable: Graham is probably going to go down as the most underappreciated edge rusher of his era, despite his strip-sacking Tom Brady in the fourth quarter of a Super Bowl. Graham has never gotten his due on pure sack numbers, topping out at 9.5 in 2017, because the Eagles use a deep rotation of edges. Despite that, Graham has three consecutive seasons with 41 or more pressures and is at 27 after his first seven games of 2019. Graham is not slated to take up a huge amount of cap space compared to that of the best edge rushers in the game the next two seasons. As he enters his 30s, like Calais Campbell earlier in this list, Graham continues to wreck offensive linemen left and right. And there's no reason he can't be a bargain for the rest of his contract. -- McCown

What's next? Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz once gave Graham what he considered his greatest compliment: "I wasn't a very good player, but if I played in the NFL, I hope I would have played like Brandon Graham." There's no question that the Super Bowl LII hero is highly valued by the organization. The Eagles showed that by giving the 31-year old Graham a three-year, $40 million deal this past offseason. It runs through 2021, so there isn't likely to be any movement on the contract front in the short term. -- Tim McManus

Washington Redskins: Quinton Dunbar, CB

Age: 27
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $4.11 million (2.2%), 2020: $4.5 million (2.3%)

Why his contract is so valuable: A UDFA success story for Washington, Dunbar re-signed to a three-year contract in 2018. Despite limited starts over the past three years and change, Dunbar has allowed fewer than 7.9 yards per target in all of those seasons. In the same span, he has seven interceptions and a whopping 22 pass breakups. This is despite his playing just 766 pass snaps in those seasons -- about three-fourths of a full season. Dunbar is no superstar, but he'd be a solid No. 2 cornerback on the right team and with continued good health. He could also be a trade target this deadline if healthy. -- McCown

What's next? Dunbar was moved from receiver to corner during his first training camp with the Redskins in 2015. They loved his speed and length, but he needed to learn how to play more than press man coverage. Dunbar's work habits took it from there; he started studying more film and paid attention to the approach of successful veterans. "At first, I was playing with raw talent," Dunbar said. Then he became a full-time starter last season. A nerve injury limited him to seven games, but he already set a career high with three interceptions this season. "Oh, man, I'm my explosive fast self," Dunbar said. "I'm able to get in and out of breaks and just play my game, man." -- John Keim

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S

Age: 26
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $3.25 million (1.7%)

Why his contract is so valuable: While Adrian Amos was given a huge contract with the Packers, the Bears have stayed mostly steady in our defensive rankings this year, and Clinton-Dix is a big part of the driving force behind that. Clinton-Dix already has two picks and has looked much more spry as a downhill run tackler this season, freed from Washington's system. We should also make a nod to Roy Robertson-Harris, on the third year of a UDFA contract, who is supplying a lot of situational pass rush for the Bears. -- McCown

What's next? Clinton-Dix understands that he had to take a one-year, prove-it deal after an underwhelming campaign in Washington, but the veteran safety is playing for a long-term deal in Chicago or somewhere else after the season. Thus far, the Bears have been pleased with Clinton-Dix, who has started all six games and has two interceptions and a pick-six. -- Jeff Dickerson

Detroit Lions: Marvin Jones Jr., WR

Age: 29
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $9.1 million (4.9%), 2020: $9.1 million (4.6%)

Why his contract is so valuable: Since signing this contract -- and despite playing in wildly different offenses, thanks to the previous shift to Jim Bob Cooter and this year's move to a deep passing game under Darrell Bevell -- Jones has been a consistent contributor. As of Week 7, he was 10th in the NFL in DVOA, at 27.2%. He was 18th in 2018 and third in 2017. It's hard to find a receiver who has switched teams and had it pay off quite as well as it has for Jones since he came over from the Bengals. If $9.1 million sounds like a lot to you, keep in mind that it's about the same amount of money that Devin Funchess and Adam Humphries got as a yearly average as free agents this year. Jones has played beyond his contract for the majority of his career. -- McCown

What's next? When the Lions signed Jones to a five-year, $40 million deal just after Calvin Johnson's 2016 retirement, he was the top free-agent receiver on the market. He has been a reliable contributor for Matthew Stafford since then, turning into one of the better deep ball receivers in the league and a player who can make contested catches, with 181 grabs for 2,926 yards and 23 touchdowns in Detroit. He has one year left on his contract, and he'll be 31 entering the 2021 season, so it's tough to say what Detroit might do with him, contract-wise, but his deal created tremendous value for Detroit over the long haul. "Production. You just look at constant production week after week," backup quarterback Jeff Driskel said. "And that comes from being dialed in during the week, playing faster, getting coaching points and corrections, and those things show up in the games. I think value comes from production, and you look at his numbers, and he has them. So that's where it is." -- Michael Rothstein

Green Bay Packers: Tyler Lancaster, DT

Age: 24
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $570,000 (0.2%), 2020: ERFA, 2021: RFA

Why his contract is so valuable: That's right: 2018 undrafted free agent Tyler Lancaster. This is partly an expression of the fact that the Packers don't have much bargain-rate talent on their team and partly about how well Lancaster has fit as a run stuffer in Green Bay's front seven. SIS has him with one missed tackle in his entire career, along with three tackles for loss in 223 run snaps. Lancaster has played well, and though stuffing the run isn't as highly desirable as it was in say, the 1990s, he's still a bargain for his production. Most of Green Bay's best players fall under rookie contracts or are fairly compensated. -- McCown

What's next? The second-year defensive tackle came up the hard way: undrafted, cut at the end of his rookie training camp, signed to the practice squad and not promoted to the active roster until a month into last season. He's on a minimum contract, but still, he said it "blows my mind" to be the Packers' selection. He admitted that he surprised himself from the start. In his second NFL game last season, against the Rams, he played eight defensive snaps and recorded his first quarterback hit. "It was the first play where I was like, 'OK, I can actually do something,'" he said. "I was being doubled, and it was a play-action pass. The tackle came off me, and I got off the guard, and I hit [Jared] Goff. I was like, 'OK, it's not as hard as I thought it was.'" His role took off from there. Lancaster played 271 snaps in the final 11 games last season and has been on the field for 39% of the Packers' defensive snaps through Week 7 this season. -- Rob Demovsky

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Minnesota Vikings: Harrison Smith, S

Age: 30
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $10.75 million (5.7%), 2020: $10.75 million (5.4%), 2021: $10.25 million

Why his contract is so valuable: Smith's 2016 contract extension now falls right in line with the concept of the rising salary cap, making what was once a big deal look a little less so. In 2019, Smith is allowing a completion rate of 57.1% in coverage. That's the highest he has allowed since 2016. In that 2.5-year span, he has broken up 16 passes and picked off nine others. At the same time, Smith's cap hit this year is almost half that of Miami's Reshad Jones, and someone who is clearly one of the best three safeties in the NFL is outside of the top five at his position in cap hit each of the next three years. There is some risk of Smith losing speed in his 30s, but he's so good that he could lose a step and still be a bargain. -- McCown

What's next? You'd be hard-pressed to find a more valuable player in Mike Zimmer's defense than Harrison Smith. He does it all, playing up in the box, forcing fumbles, earning tackles for loss and smothering his opponent on the back end while tallying picks. The Vikings knew they had a star on their hands when they gave Smith his extension in 2016, and the perennial Pro Bowler took it upon himself to prove the organization right. "You always want to be recognized as one of the top guys at your position," Smith said after he signed his deal. "I think if you're a competitor, you always see yourself like that. There's a lot of mutual respect between myself and the organization, and I think that just reflects it." Smith has two years left on his contract and should be kept in the fold for the foreseeable future, given that he has shown no signs of slowing down after turning 30. A tight cap situation in 2020 puts the Vikings in prime position to re-sign Smith during the offseason, when they could structure a deal to give him more guaranteed money up front to free up cap space -- a win for both parties. -- Courtney Cronin

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons: Deion Jones, LB

Age: 24
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $4.7 million (2.5%), 2020: $10.3 million (5.2%), 2021: $12.63 million, 2022: $14.09 million, 2023: $16.379 million

Why his contract is so valuable: The Falcons have been very aggressive about extensions for players who they think are part of their core. As such, this largely came down to the most stable players. I think Matt Ryan, Jones and Grady Jarrett are probably the best players, and of those three, I think Jones has the least onerous contract. Compared to free agents such as C.J. Mosley and other star linebackers who have negotiated new contracts such as Bobby Wagner and Jaylon Smith, I think Jones compares quite favorably as a value. Jones is the only linebacker on this team who can defend the pass, as he had two picks and six pass deflections last season, and he is often involved in the team's double-team schemes. I also gave some thought to a couple of veterans on low-dollar deals, namely Adrian Clayborn. -- McCown

What's next? The Falcons understand Jones' value to the team, with his speed and outstanding coverage ability, which is why they signed him to a four-year, $57 million contract extension in July that included $34 million guaranteed. That contract kicks in next season. Jones probably deserved more based on his value to the defense. "Deion's [contract] was a little less complicated for us,'' general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "One of his best friend's is Kwon Alexander [$13.5 million per year with the 49ers], and we knew where those recent linebacker contracts came in. We were very dialed in to a certain area with it.'' At age 24, Jones has a chance to earn yet another lucrative deal if he maintains a high level of play and avoids another major injury like the broken foot that sidelined him for most of 2018. -- Vaughn McClure

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Carolina Panthers: Gerald McCoy, DT

Age: 31
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $7.9 million (4.2%)

Why his contract is so valuable: It was bizarre when McCoy hit free agency late in the offseason, and it was even more bizarre that he wound up in Carolina for a pittance. McCoy had 2.5 sacks against the Bucs in London, and his 10 hurries are right in line with his career norms. He has been excellent against the run. The player he was replaced by in Tampa, Ndamukong Suh, cost more and hasn't been as effective. Carolina didn't have much in the way of non-rookie contract bargains to pick through, but I also want to note their finding a solid starter in guard Greg Van Roten for the cost of a UDFA contract. -- McCown

What's next? McCoy understands that at age 31, he's at a prove-it stage of his career, and a long-term deal beyond his current contract isn't realistic. So yes, it makes sense that he's on this list. "My reasoning for doing stuff is different,'' McCoy said of his current contract. "I'm not thinking about my future. I'm thinking about right now.'' McCoy believes he has a few good years -- perhaps great years -- left in the right system. He's playing at a high level right now and getting accustomed to being part of a rotation instead of being an almost-every-down player, as he was for so long with Tampa Bay. -- David Newton

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New Orleans Saints: Jared Cook, TE

Age: 32
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $4 million (2.1%), 2020: $9 million (4.5%)

Why his contract is so valuable: Cook finally delivered on his massive physical promise as a receiver in Oakland in 2018. We don't really know enough about how he'll work in New Orleans, given that Drew Brees has been hurt, and that has taken away a lot of the team's main offensive philosophy. That said, tight ends who turn 101 targets into six touchdowns and 896 yards aren't easy to find. The Saints have struggled to replace Jimmy Graham. Coby Fleener didn't do it. Cook just might, and even if he doesn't get all the way there, he took a big pay cut in his attempt to win. Let's see what happens when Brees gets back. The 2020 cap figure is a little less friendly but not an overpay by any means. -- McCown

What's next? The market apparently needs a "prove-it" year or two from Cook, given that he was still available as a relative bargain this past spring, despite having had the best season of his career with the Raiders in 2018 (68 catches, 896 yards, six TDs and his first Pro Bowl appearance in 10 seasons). The 32-year-old hasn't quite found his groove in New Orleans, but he was getting more involved, with touchdowns in Weeks 5 and 6, before he suffered an ankle injury. His potential as a pass-catching specialist in the Saints' offense is plain to see, especially because they so desperately need reliable targets behind Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. If Cook puts up the same type of numbers in New Orleans that he did in Oakland, he could move up from ninth among NFL tight ends in average salary with his next deal. -- Mike Triplett

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shaquil Barrett, DE

Age: 27
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $4 million (2.1%)

Why his contract is so valuable: That's one helluva prove-it contract. Through seven weeks, Barrett has nine sacks. It was easy to see the way that Barrett flashed for the Broncos when he got on the field, but teams were a little nervous about giving him a long-term deal. With his destroying the competition in almost every game of this season, including eating Daryl Williams' soul against Carolina and strip-sacking Jared Goff to finish a road win in Los Angeles, we bet he won't be settling for a one-year deal again. The only downside for the Bucs is that they didn't get a second year on the contract to make it even more valuable. This is the kind of contract that can change the whole upside of a unit, as we've seen this season. -- McCown

What's next? Despite the fact that he has been held without a sack the past two games, Barrett remains tied with Myles Garrett for a league-leading 9.0 sacks through six games on a bargain salary. Not including bonuses, he's costing the Bucs $444,444 per sack -- that's by far the best bargain in the league. Chandler Jones, who has 8.5 sacks through seven games, is making more than four times that amount, at $16.5 million this year, and costing the Cardinals $1.94 million per sack. Garrett, who's in Year 3 of his rookie contract, is still costing the Browns more this season, at $921,583 per sack. On the other end of the spectrum, Khalil Mack, who has 4.5 sacks this season, is costing the Bears $3.44 million per sack. Von Miller, who has 2.5 sacks this season, is costing the Broncos $7 million per sack. The Bucs love what they've seen so far and will likely have competition for Barrett's services in the offseason. -- Jenna Laine

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson, CB

Age: 29
Remaining contract (cap hit, % of cap): 2019: $8 million (4.3%), 2020: $13.1 million (6.6%)

Why his contract is so valuable: Peterson is still a star cornerback in his prime, and given that his long-term contract was signed in 2014, his dollar figures have depreciated greatly, compared to most players'. Trumaine Johnson, signed in the 2018 offseason, got $34 million in guarantees compared to Peterson's $16.5 million. Peterson finished fourth in coverage success rate in 2018. In his one game this season after serving a PED suspension, he allowed just four completions for 45 yards and forced a fumble. The Cardinals haven't really hit on any young bargain players who aren't on rookie contracts, so this pretty much came down to how you feel about Peterson and Chandler Jones. Despite Peterson's age, I'd argue that he has been a more impactful player over the course of his career. -- McCown

What's next? This is an anomaly. Peterson was supposed to make $11.25 million this season as part of a five-year, $70 million extension signed in 2014. Although the Cardinals missed Peterson on the field during his six-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy, Arizona's bank account didn't miss him. Because of his suspension, Peterson is scheduled to earn $3.2 million this year -- a bargain for an eight-time Pro Bowler who's widely considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Peterson's salary will jump to $12.5 million next season, putting his price among the going rate for corners, so it's unlikely that Arizona will give him more money at the moment. An extension could happen, but that might not take place for another season. -- Josh Weinfuss

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Los Angeles Rams: Robert Woods, WR

Age: 27
Remaining contract (cap hit, % of cap): 2019: $7.675 million (4.1%), 2020: $8.175 million (4.1%), 2021: $10.175 million

Why his contract is so valuable: Woods has been by far the most consistent receiver for the Rams since he was signed away from a bad situation in Buffalo. He finished in the top 20 in DYAR in both 2017 and 2018, can win from anywhere on the field and has been useful as a blocker and an end-around threat who can add to the play-action ability of the offense. Meanwhile, Woods has the 11th-highest cap hit on the Rams this year and has a lower cap figure than Albert Wilson. With Jared Goff stepping into real cap space soon, the Rams are going to need to find more contracts like Woods'. -- McCown

What's next? It's no secret inside the Rams' building that Woods has out-performed the five-year, $34 million contract he signed in 2017, which is why the Rams reworked his contract going into this season, guaranteeing him an extra $1 million that would have been earned through incentives. Since signing with the Rams, Woods has 2,435 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, but it's his work without the football that tends to go unnoticed. He is among the best -- and most selfless, --when it comes to blocking for teammates. "For people who watch the game, and not just watch the ball, there's a lot that goes on," Woods said. "It's all stuff that goes on that we all appreciate in our room ... but we just do it for each other." Woods is on pace to earn a restructured contract worth more money. -- Lindsey Thiry

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San Francisco 49ers: Matt Breida, RB

Age: 24
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $646,668 (0.3%), 2020: RFA

Why his contract is so valuable: In Kyle Shanahan's tenure, no team has spent quite as heavily on running backs as the San Francisco 49ers. They inked both Jerick McKinnon and Tevin Coleman to massive contracts. They spent a fourth-round pick on Joe Williams. Yet the best running back on the team remains a holdover from pre-Shanahan days who upstages every other back the team has when he hits the field. Breida leads all qualified NFL backs in rushing DVOA this season, was fifth in DVOA in 2017 and was 23rd in 2018. He was second in receiving DVOA among qualifying backs in 2018. He's one of the fastest players in the NFL in the open field. In a just world, he would be given full control of a backfield and would stop getting hurt. -- McCown

What's next? Breida understands why he's considered a good value, given that he went undrafted, but he also doesn't think he will ever stop using the slight as motivation. "It's cool," he said. "But you have still got to be humble at the same time. I feel like I still have to continue to get better, work every day and prove that I belong in the NFL. You can't take anything for granted because at any time, it could be taken away from you." That approach has served Breida well so far, and given the Niners' willingness to pay free-agent running backs in recent years, it's reasonable to think that Breida will be rewarded for it, so long as he is able to stay healthy and continue to produce. -- Nick Wagoner

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Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Lockett, WR

Age: 27
Remaining contract (cap hit, percent of cap): 2019: $7.35 million (3.9%), 2020: $10.25 million (5.1%), 2021: $12.55 million

Why his contract is so valuable: It was a bit of a surprise when the Seahawks extended Lockett before the 2018 season, with $11 million in guarantees on a $33 million contract. He hadn't broken out yet. But he did as soon as he hit the ground running in 2018, leading the NFL in receiving DVOA and having one of the most efficient seasons by a deep receiver in NFL history. The 2019 season has proven to be no fluke, with Lockett fourth in receiving DVOA and Seahawks fans almost universally wanting more throws for the suddenly dynamic Russell Wilson-Lockett combination. Meanwhile, a contract that paid Lockett between the two poles of being solid and being good is suddenly looking like an enormous bargain for the next three years. -- McCown

What's next? Lockett saw his NFL career flash before his eyes when his leg snapped in half in December 2016 and was nowhere near 100 percent the following year. As a result, he had good reason to take a deal averaging $10.55 million with $20 million in total guarantees in the summer of 2018. Although it's a bargain now, it seemed a bit steep at the time for a player who had topped out at 51 catches for 664 receiving yards in his first three seasons. A win in negotiations for Lockett and his agent was getting a three-year extension as opposed to four years, which the Seahawks typically give to players coming off their rookie contracts. It means Lockett can get back to the bargaining table as early as 2021, by which point he'll be 29. In the meantime, he can make a few more million dollars in performance-based escalators. -- Brady Henderson