IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys' exploration into free agency this year has not been flashy but it has been cost effective.

Of their seven signings, Rolando McClain, Cedric Thornton, Morris Claiborne, James Hanna and Kyle Wilber can be called major contributors for the roles they will play on offense, defense and special teams in 2016.

Those players combined to chew up less than $12 million in salary-cap space in 2016, according to a source.

McClain carries the biggest cap figure at $3.375 million, but his deal is tied to him being on the field. He received a $750,000 signing bonus and has a $1.25 million base but he needs to be on the 46-man roster for every game to earn $2 million in roster bonuses. McClain can earn an extra $1 million through play-time incentives.

Claiborne carries a cap figure of $2.68 million. He received a $500,000 signing bonus and can earn another $250,000 through a workout bonus. He also has a $1.25 million base salary. He can earn $1 million in per-game roster bonuses. Claiborne can earn another $750,000 through incentives, including $375,000 for six interceptions. He has three interceptions in his first four seasons.

McClain and Claiborne played in 11 games apiece last season and neither has played in a full season in their careers.

Thornton is the biggest signing so far with a four-year, $17 million deal. He received a $5 million signing bonus and has a base salaries of $1 million (2016), $3 million (2017), $4 million (2018) and $4 million (2019). He can earn an extra $1 million if he plays in 65 percent of the snaps and gets six sacks. He has four sacks in the first four years of his career.

Here are the contract breakdowns:

Cedric Thornton

Signing bonus: $5 million

2016 base salary: $1 million

2017 base salary: $3 million (becomes fully guaranteed on fifth day of 2017 league year)

2018 base salary: $4 million

2019 base salary: $4 million

He can earn an additional $1 million with 65 percent playtime and six sacks in 2018-19.

Morris Claiborne

Signing bonus: $500,000

Workout bonus: $250,000

Roster bonus: $62,500 for every game on 46-man roster, up to $1 million

2016 base salary: $1.25 million

He can earn an extra $375,000 with 75 percent playing time and $375,000 with six interceptions

James Hanna

Signing bonus: $2.25 million

2016 base salary: $1 million

2017 base salary: $2.25 million

2018 base salary: $2.75 million

Rolando McClain

Signing bonus: $750,000

Roster bonus: $125,000 for every game on 46-man roster, up to $2 million

He can earn $250,000 for 60 percent playing time, $500,000 for 70 percent, $750,00 for 75 percent and $1 million for 75 percent and a playoff berth

Kyle Wilber

Signing bonus: $1 million

2016 base salary: $1 million

2017 base salary: $1.25 million

He can earn up to $2 million in two seasons in not-likely-to-be-earned incentives.