Getty Images

Having a great quarterback on a cheap rookie deal can help build a roster, as well as support the bottom line.

Having a great quarterback who takes less than he could make helps too.

Via Dana Hunsinger Benbow of the Indianapolis Star, the Patriots and Colts come out winners in a study that showed which teams provided the most wins per dollar spent.

The study by NerdWallet took into account on-field success and how much was spent to get there to determine efficiency. The Patriots topped the list, followed by the NBA Spurs, three baseball teams (the Marlins, Rays and As) and the Colts.

The study looked at the last 15 years, and in 14 of those, the Colts had a franchise quarterback who kept them competitive. The last three years, they’ve had a cheap one in Andrew Luck.

Of course, they’re about to have to spend some money on him, which could change their ranking, and their ability to keep talent around him.

The NBA’s Knicks were last on the list, with the Lions, baseball’s Yankees, and the Browns and Raiders making up the bottom five.