Undisputed Value is a series that identifies every NFL team's best contract, factoring in dollar value, term, and the player's past and future performance, among other criteria.
Players on rookie contracts aren't being considered.
AFC Best Contracts
East | North | South | West
NFC Best Contracts
East | North | South | West
Chicago Bears
Jerrell Freeman
Pos: LB | Exp: 5th season
2016 stats: 72 tackles, 1 PD
2016 cap hit: $4,000,000
The Bears have already gotten plenty of value out of the three-year, $12-million contract they signed this tackling machine to in the offseason. Through eight games, Freeman has 72 tackles and a forced fumble. His dead cap hit all but disappears after this season, while $4 million per year is a bargain for a rock-solid inside linebacker.
Detroit Lions
Golden Tate
Pos: WR | Exp: 7th season
2016 stats: 38 catches, 434 yards, 1 TD
2016 cap hit: $7,101,250
The Lions scored with this five-year, $31-million deal just before the salary cap increased and contracts inflated. Tate's locked up through 2018 and has already earned his keep with back-to-back 90-catch seasons as Matthew Stafford's most reliable weapon. His deal looks especially good considering there are 37 receivers in the league with bigger contracts.
Green Bay Packers
Randall Cobb
Pos: WR | Exp: 6th season
2016 stats: 39 catches, 388 yards, 2 TDs
2016 cap hit: $9,150,000
Cobb's production has dipped slightly since signing this four-year, $40-million deal following a 1,200-yard, 12-touchdown season, but the entire Green Bay offense has taken a step back from the gaudy numbers of 2014. Cobb is a versatile weapon - playing at running back, in the slot, and outside - who took less money to stay with the Packers. Paired with Jordy Nelson, he's one of the most dangerous slot receivers in the game.
Minnesota Vikings
Everson Griffen
Pos: DE | Exp: 7th season
2016 stats: 5 sacks, 18 tackles, 1 FF
2016 cap hit: $8,200,000
Since signing a five-year, $42.5-million deal in 2014, Griffen has recorded 27.5 sacks in 38 games. By the time this contract is up, the Vikings are projected to be paying about $700,000 per sack - a revelation for a player who looked like a bust after his first two seasons.
(Contract details courtesy: Spotrac)
