Recently, I looked at the relative value of the different positions in the NFL (http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2012/5/9/3010133/relative-values-to-improvement). I updated that post by dividing the positions further to 3-4 defensive positions, 4-3 defensive positions, and top positional players where more than one player per position generally plays. In other words, I separated how much the first receiver was paid in comparison to the second highest paid receiver per team (e.g., highest paid safety v second highest paid safety, highest paid guard v second highest paid guard, and so forth).
Using the new table (which I will publish in the future), I analyzed the top players in the NFC East 25 years of age and younger from a post from One Cool Customer. The relative value of the player in regards to their position is in the appropriately labeled column.
Cowboys | Eagles | Giants | Redskins | |||||||||
Rank | Player | POS | Relative Value | Player | POS | Relative Value | Player | POS | Relative Value | Player | POS | Relative Value |
1 | Tyron Smith | LT | 4.82% | LeSean McCoy | RB | 3.85% | Jason Pierre-Paul | DE | 6.20% | Robert Griffin III | QB | 7.24% |
2 | Dez Bryant | WR | 5.35% | Jeremy Maclin | WR | 5.35% | Hakeem Nicks | WR | 5.35% | Ryan Kerrigan | OLB | 4.56% |
3 | DeMarco Murray | RB | 3.85% | Jason Kelce | OC | 1.93% | Linval Joseph | DT | 3.67% | Trent Williams | LT | 4.82% |
4 | Morris Claiborne | CB | 4.62% | Nate Allen | S | 3.97% | Prince Amukamara | CB | 4.62% | Roy Helu | RB | 3.85% |
5 | Bruce Carter | LB | 4.67% | Brian Rolle | LB | 2.65% | David Wilson | RB | 3.85% | Leonard Hankerson | WR | 5.35% |
6 | Tyrone Crawford | DE | 3.65% | Brandon Graham | DE | 2.06% | Jacquian Williams | LB | 2.65% | Perry Riley | LB | 2.65% |
7 | Sean Lissemore | DE | 0.93% | Kurt Coleman | S | 1.76% | Reuben Randle | WR | 2.58% | Jarvis Jenkins | DE | 3.65% |
8 | Victor Butler | OLB | 1.50% | Fletcher Cox | DT | 3.67% | Henry Hynoski | FB | 1.03% | Josh LeRibeus | OG | 3.40% |
9 | Josh Brent | NT | 3.62% | Mychal Kendricks | LB | 1.78% | Marvin Austin | DT | 1.44% | Keenan Robinson | LB | 1.78% |
10 | Phil Costa | OC | 1.93% | Vinny Curry | DE | 2.06% | Mark Herzlich | LB | 1.78% | DeJon Gomes | S | 3.97% |
Total | 34.9% | 29.1% | 33.2% | 41.3% |
If the selected players develop as expected with their respective teams, the Redskins have improved their team the most over the last few years. The two things working against the Redskins, however, is that their team is significantly worse than the other three teams in the NFC East, and Washington will not be able to make noticeable improvements though free agency (due to a $36 million cap hit from Mara), and the loss of their first round draft choice in 2013 (used to trade up for Robert Griffin III).
The Eagles have added the least valuable good players currently 25 years old or younger. The Giants are just slightly behind the Cowboys.
Eliminating rookies and players such as Austin (NYG) and Jenkins (WAS) that did not play NFL football last season, the Cowboys relative value drops to 26.66% for the positions boasting talented players that are not older than 25. That number, however, leads the NFC East, as the Giants remain behind the Cowboys with a relative value score of 25.31% and Washington's score drops to 25.20%. Philadelphia remains in the cellar with a relative value score of 21.57%.
As a reminder, the relative value in regards to the positions on an NFL football team is an average of the amount paid to the top 5 players per position. Quarterback has the highest relative value, with the top 4-3 defensive end having the second highest value as determined through the owners and General Managers in the NFL. The position with the least relative value is the long snapper.
Thanks to OCC and JimmyK for providing the graph and list.