Spotrac's 2023 Best Value NFL Roster

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertJanuary 17, 2024
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#brock purdy #kyren williams #ceedee lamb #sam laporta #christian darrisaw #kevin dotson #drew dalman #penei sewell #nnamdi madubuike #joshua hines-allen #tyrel dodson #daron bland #antoine winfield jr. #chase mclaughlin #a.j. cole
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Every week, Spotrac calculates the True Value of each NFL player based on their cumulative production in a given season, against their average annual salary. This results in a “Madden Grade” type output for every player, that in turn provides us with our annual Best Value NFL Roster. Here’s how the 2023 campaign shook out:

RELATED: Spotrac’s Calculated Team Value Rankings

QUARTERBACK

Brock Purdy (49ers)

TVS: 96.99

Purdy likely finishes within the Top 3 of the MVP vote when it’s all said and done, due to a combination of outstanding decision making - and a very talented SF roster. Purdy’s $934,252 average salary ranked 89th among active QBs. The 2022 7th round pick isn’t eligible for an extension until after the 2024 season.

ALSO: Josh Allen (Bills, 92.95), C.J. Stroud (Texans, 89.82), Full List

RUNNING BACK

Kyren Williams (Rams)

TVS: 98.81

One of the big reasons the Rams were relevant in 2023 - let alone a playoff team, Williams ran for 1,000 yards more in his second season than he did in his rookie campaign. He caught 32 passes, finding the end zone 15 total times for LA, and his $992,601 average salary ranked 95th among active running backs this past season. The 2022 5th rounder won’t become extension eligible until after the 2024 season.

ALSO: Raheem Mostert (Dolphins, 98.28), Breece Hall (Jets, 91.91), Full List

WIDE RECEIVER

CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys)

TVS: 99.70

Lamb’s production output has significantly increased each of his first 4 NFL seasons, culminating with a monster 2023 (135 catches, 1,749 yards, 12 TDs). His $3.5M average salary ranked 61st among 2023 Wide Receivers, but Dallas’ days of value are likely over. Lamb holds a $17.9M fully guaranteed salary in 2024, and a $28.8M market value in our system. There’s a very real world where he becomes the highest paid WR in the history of football in the coming weeks.

TOP VETERAN: Tyreek Hill (Dolphins, 87.29)
ALSO: Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions, 99.30), Nico Collins (Texans, 98.82), Full List

TIGHT END

Sam LaPorta (Lions)

TVS: 99.71

Year 1 of the LaPorta project exceeded expectations across the board (86 catches, 889 yards, 10 TDs). His $2.3M average salary ranked 36th among active Tight Ends, offering the Lions extraordinary value for at least two more seasons. He’s on track to reset the position financially after the 2025 campaign.

ALSO: Trey McBride (Cardinals, 97.33), George Kittle (49ers, 97.00), Full List

LEFT TACKLE

Christian Darrisaw (Vikings)

TVS: 98.46

For the second straight season, Darrisaw finds himself to be the best value Left Tackle in all of football, carrying a $3.3M average salary (26th among active LTs). The 2021 #23 overall selection is now extension-eligible for the first time in Minnesota, projecting toward a massive 4 year, $98.5M extension in our system.

ALSO: Tristan Wirfs (Buccaneers, 97.34), Trenton Brown (Patriots, 93.43), Full List

Guard

Kevin Dotson (Rams)

TVS: 99.08

After a lackluster 2022 campaign, Dotson was acquired by LA from the Steelers in exchange for a few later round pick swaps last August. He proceeded to be one of the most efficient guards in the league, establishing himself as one of the better pending free agents this coming March. Dotson’s $988,454 average salary ranked 116th among active Guards last season.

TOP VETERAN: Greg Van Roten (Raiders, 93.62)
ALSO: Quinn Meinerz (Broncos, 98.68), Samuel Cosmi (Commanders, 97.14), Full List

CENTER

Drew Dalman (Falcons)

TVS: 98.82

Dalman chimed in as the #6 best value Center in 2022, but really took his play to the next level in 2023. The 2021 4th round pick is now extension-eligible for the first time, projecting toward a 4 year, $52M contract in our system.

TOP VETERAN: Connor Williams (Dolphins, 86.65)
ALSO: Creed Humphrey (Chiefs, 96.52), Lloyd Cushenberry (Broncos, 92.46), Full List

RIGHT TACKLE

Penei Sewell (Lions)

TVS: 97.64

After a breakout season in 2022, Sewell soars to the top of the list this past campaign, setting himself apart from the rest of the notable, young, Right Tackles in the league. His $6M AAV ranked 17th among active RTs last season, but this is a player soon to reset his positional financial market sooner rather than later. Sewell projects toward a 4 year, $90M extension in our system.

ALSO: Morgan Moses (Ravens, 89.56), Spencer Brown (Bills, 85.92), Full List

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Justin Madubuike (Ravens)

TVS: 99.05

One of the more underrated stars of the season, Madubuike posted 13 sacks, 56 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles for one of the league’s best defenses. It’s a career, breakout year for a pending free agent who now projects toward a 4 year, $80M contract in our system.

TOP VETERAN: Zach Sieler (Dolphins, 90.86)
ALSO: Christian Barmore (Patriots, 98.51), Kobie Turner (Rams, 97.33), Full List

EDGE DEFENDER

Josh Allen (Jaguars)

TVS: 99.52

The Jaguars faltered down the stretch, but that shouldn’t take away from another outstanding year, & 5 straight seasons of productive improvement from “that other Josh Allen”. The pending free agent is a top franchise tag candidate who projects to a 5 year, $120M contract in our system this winter.

TOP VETERAN: Jadeveon Clowney (Ravens, 96.08)
ALSO: Jonathan Greenard (Texans, 98.07), Micah Parsons (Cowboys, 97.73), DE, OLB

LINEBACKER

Tyrel Dodson (Bills)

TVS: 97.67

Dodson stepped into the starting role for Buffalo in Week 4, as the Bills’ defensive injuries began to pile up. He more than held up his end of a 1 year, $2M contract, factoring greatly into Buffalo’s push into the postseason down the stretch. Will the 25-year-old secure a multi-year guarantee on the open market this time around?

ALSO: Ernest Jones (Rams, 93.74), Kyle Van Noy (Ravens, 89.64), Full List

CORNERBACK

DaRon Bland (Cowboys)

TVS: 99.61

Bland stepped in for the injured Trevon Diggs during the Cowboys’ Week 3 game and never looked back, posting 69 tackles & a whopping 9 interceptions through the remainder of 2023. The 2022 5th rounder has 2 years, $2M non-guaranteed remaining on his rookie contract, providing Dallas with at least one more year of potential value.

TOP VETERAN: Mike Hilton (Bengals, 91.00)
ALSO: Paulson Adebo (Saints, 93.88), Devon Witherspoon (Seahawks, 93.54), Full List

SAFETY

Antoine Winfield Jr. (Buccaneers)

TVS: 99.44

The 1st-Team All-Pro but non-Pro Bowler gave us zero chance to snub it when it came to value. Winfield capped off his rookie contract with 122 tackles, 6 forced fumbles, & 3 interceptions, putting him in line for a 2024 franchise tag while projecting toward a 5 year, $94M contract in our system. This conversation begins at $21M per year however.

TOP VETERAN: Julian Love (Seahawks, 83.85)
ALSO: Xavier McKinney (Giants, 99.29), Jevon Holland (Dolphins, 97.58) Free Safeties, Strong Safeties

KICKER

Chase McLaughlin (Buccaneers)

TVS: 99.94

McLaughlin made 29 of 31 attempted field goals in 2023 while going a perfect 33 for 33 on extra points this past season, all while playing on a veteran minimum $1.1M contract in Tampa Bay. It seems fair to assume that these two sides will continue this marriage in 2024.

ALSO: Cameron Dicker (Chargers, 89.75), Brandon Aubrey (Cowboys, 87.68), Full List

PUNTER

A.J. Cole (Raiders)

While we don’t track punting statistics at Spotrac, it felt necessary to include the 1st-Team All-Pro selection here. Cole led the NFL with a net average of 45.1 per punt, with 34 of them landing inside the 20 yard line this past season. The 28-year-old holds 2 years, $6.3M non-guaranteed left on his $3M per year contract in Las Vegas.


#brock purdy #kyren williams #ceedee lamb #sam laporta #christian darrisaw #kevin dotson #drew dalman #penei sewell #nnamdi madubuike #joshua hines-allen #tyrel dodson #daron bland #antoine winfield jr. #chase mclaughlin #a.j. cole
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