In the NFL a player’s value isn’t measured by his performance. A player’s true value is measured by his performance relative to his cap hit. As the 2018 season approaches, let’s take a look at the projected Defensive Salary Cap MVPs by highlighting players whose contributions should significantly surpass their cap hits.

In doing this assessment, players on rookie contracts are being excluded because their contracts are usually kept artificially low (especially for players selected after the first round) and are determined by draft position, not their actual performance. Only veteran players who signed free agent deals or extensions with the Panthers will be considered. All contract information was taken from Spotrac.

Wes Horton, Defensive End

2018 Cap Hit: $1.3 million

Horton is entering the final year of a 2-year, $2.7 million contract. In 2017, his fifth NFL season, he set a career high with 5.5 sacks, the fourth highest total on the team. His three forced fumbles led the Panthers last season. PFF ranked Horton as the No. 73 edge rusher in 2017 with an “average” grade. Horton played in 36-percent of Carolina’s defensive snaps last year and will help shore up a position of need in 2018, making his production against a $1.3 million cap hit that much more valuable.

Kyle Love, Defensive Tackle

2018 Cap Hit: $1.3 million

Love is also entering the final season of a 2-year deal, his worth $2.26 million. Love is coming off a career-high 3.5 sacks and he played in 38-percent of Carolina’s defensive snaps last season, placing him third among interior defensive linemen behind only Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei. Love actually had a higher PFF grade than Lotulelei last year (68.5 for Love versus 49.5 for Star) and played more snaps than 2015’s first round pick, DT Vernon Butler. In 2017 Kyle Love arguably outperformed two former first round picks (Lotulelei and Butler) and should make similar contributions in 2018 against a mere $1.3 million cap hit.

Ross Cockrell, Cornerback

2018 Cap Hit: $2.6 million

Cockrell is new in Carolina after signing a 2-year, $6.6 million contract. He recorded 50 tackles, 11 passes defended and three interceptions last year as a starter with the Giants and received an “above average” 81.6 PFF rating. PFF also ranked as the No. 39 cornerback in the league last year which immediately makes him Carolina’s best corner (James Bradberry’s 42.4 PFF rating was “poor”, as was Captain Munnerlyn’s 48.3 rating.)

Cockrell graded just above Bobby McCain (80.1 PFF rating) and near T.J. Carrie (84.3) in 2017. McCain signed a 4-year, $27.0 million deal this offseason and Carrie landed a 4-year, $31.0 million contract extension, making Cockrell’s $2.6 million cap hit in 2018 look like a downright steal for the Panthers. As another reference point, Captain Munnerlyn is entering his second season on a 4-year, $17.5 million contract with the Panthers with a cap hit of roughly $4.0 million in 2018.

Vote below and add your comments about who you predict will be the Panthers 2018 Defensive Salary Cap MVP.

As for me, I’m voting for Ross Cockrell. Getting above average starting corner play at $2.6 million is a huge value (assuming he doesn’t regress in Carolina) especially for a shaky Panthers secondary that faces Drew Brees and Matt Ryan twice each year.

Your thoughts?