FanPost

Cowboys players under 25 are more valuable than Eagles and Giants

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.

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.