This Freakonomics feature on NFL.com can be a little tough to chew through, but if you can navigate through the experience, youll be rewarded with a couple of familiar faces on the list of the biggest bargains in the NFL from this past season.
From the 49ers perspective, its linebacker NaVorro Bowman. The site notes that Bowman earned 580,000 in base salary in 2011, with a cap hit of 756,062. For that price, the Niners were rewarded with an All-Pro season from the second-year linebacker, who finished with 143 tackles and two sacks.
Meanwhile, the Raiders had left tackle Jared Veldheer on the best bargains list. Veldheer took in 405,000 in base salary this past season, while his cap hit was 628,750. The site describes Veldheer as a better run blocker than pass protector at this point but still only surrendered four sacks in 2011.
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RELATED: Raiders' Veldheer among NFL's best bargains
Do you agree with these choices as the best bargains on the Bay Area teams? If not, who do you think would have been a better choice? Also, any thoughts on the rest of the list, which included big names like Aaron Rodgers, LeSean McCoy, Victor Cruz and Rob Gronkowski?