Which defensive positions are worth the salary for an elite player?

[xmarkd400x]

Edit: Lame... the salary info is from 2001 :bricks: I wonder why it's like the 4th result on a google search
Egg on my face..............

I have listed the franchise numbers, average starting salary, and difference between the two for each defensive position. Based on these numbers, which positions are worth the salary difference between an average starter and an "elite" player?

Franchise salaries by defensive position (Source):
(Franchise salary = Average of the top 5 salaries at that position)

• Safety: $4.39m
• Cornerback: $9.46 million
• Linebacker: $8.06m
• Defensive tackle: $6.3m
• Defensive end: $8.8m

Average starter salaries by defensive position: (Source)

• Safety: $1,204,466
• Cornerback: $2,062,739
• Linebacker: $1,728,908
• Defensive tackle: $2,083,895
• Defensive end: $2,167,377

Difference (Franchise - Avg. Starter) in salary by defensive position:

• Safety: 3.19m
• Cornerback: 7.46m
• Linebacker: 6.36m
• Defensive tackle: 4.3m
• Defensive end: 6.7m

 

[Ring 6]

I have listed the franchise numbers, average starting salary, and difference between the two for each defensive position. Based on these numbers, which positions are worth the salary difference between a JAG and an "elite" player?

Franchise salaries by defensive position (Source):
(Franchise salary = Average of the top 5 salaries at that position)

• Safety: $4.39m
• Cornerback: $9.46 million
• Linebacker: $8.06m
• Defensive tackle: $6.3m
• Defensive end: $8.8m

Average starter salaries by defensive position: (Source)

• Safety: $1,204,466
• Cornerback: $2,062,739
• Linebacker: $1,728,908
• Defensive tackle: $2,083,895
• Defensive end: $2,167,377

Difference (Franchise - Avg. Starter) in salary by defensive position:

• Safety: 3.19m
• Cornerback: 7.46m
• Linebacker: 6.36m
• Defensive tackle: 4.3m
• Defensive end: 6.7m

A JAG isnt an average starter. JAG is just another guy, which is a backup.

 

[xmarkd400x]

A JAG isnt an average starter. JAG is just another guy, which is a backup.

Fair enough. But how about the point of my post?

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

This could be an interesting discussion based on ones method of analysis.

The position that has the highest % deviation from franchise tag to average salary for the position is linebacker, with corner back right behind. For the Pats, I would tend to agree with this. The LB position is the most important in the Belichick scheme.

Position % change avg $ / franchise $
Safety 265%
CB 350%
LB 374%
DT 200%
DE 300%

 

[Ring 6]

Fair enough. But how about the point of my post?

I think there is no hard and fast answer. i think that the franchise numbers give you and idea of what teams trying to acquire talent see as value, but I think good teams with the right philosophy of building a winner need a different approach. I think that where you spend and how much you spend on positions depends a lot on what else you have. Particularly how you draft. When you have good players still under their rookie contracts it skews where you spend.
I dont buy into the idea that some positions are significantly more valuable than others. I do know that there is more demand for certain positions. I think you have to be a conrtrarian regarding this, at least to a degree.
The way to win is to have 11 good players on the field, not a few great ones and a few liabilities. If you place value in the areas that there is not great demand and have the best players in those positions, and spend less on the others, I think you are better off.

Using our #s it is not expensive to be great at S and LB. That gives you more money to work with than if you try to buy the best players at corner, de or dt.

 

[JoePats]

Pass rusher. The way the rules are now, the ability of a true shutdown cornerback is somewhat neutralized. No way I would pay 9 mil for a cornerback unless I was sure I was getting a Hall of Famer in his prime.

You need to be able to rush the passer (best way to improve your secondary) and that's the best way to wreck a game. Obviously the fewer guys you use to get to the QB the better.