Black Friday bargains: NFC East

Without a new deal, Lamb will make $17.9M under his fifth-year option. In the meantime, his $3.5M average salary ranks 19th on the Cowboys’ payroll and 56th among NFL wide receivers. Considering teammates Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup make $19.8M and $11.5M respectively, Lamb won’t be a bargain for long.

Dexter Lawrence (DT), New York Giants

Sitting at the bottom of the NFC East after spending $541M this offseason, the Giants are proof that you don’t always get what you pay for – except in the case of Lawrence. The five-year veteran remains a bargain even after signing a four-year, $87.5M contract extension in the offseason.

Pro Football Focus ranks Lawrence as the NFL’s best defensive tackle, well ahead of better known players such as the Rams’ Aaron Donald and the 49ers’ Javon Hargrave. His $21.8M average salary is third-highest on the team but fifth-highest among defensive tackles. Given what the Giants have been through this year, he should consider it hazard pay.

Reed Blankenship (S), Philadelphia Eagles

Blankenship played so well as an undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State last year, the team had no problem letting C.J. Gardner-Johnson sign with the Detroit Lions while handing Blankenship a three-year deal for an average salary of $855,000.

Low-cost players like Blankenship allow Eagles general manager Howie Roseman to keep costlier, veteran players like Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox. Blankenship is currently the top safety in the NFC East and seventh-best in the NFL according to PFF.

Sam Howell (QB), Washington Commanders

There’s no greater bargain for an NFL team than a starting quarterback playing on a rookie deal. As a fifth-round draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, it will be a few years before Howell starts making real money.

While the Commanders have struggled to a 4-8 record, Howell has played above expectations as the NFL’s leading passer with 3,039 yards. His $1M average salary puts him near the bottom of Washington’s payroll and ranks 81st among NFL quarterbacks.