If the Los Angeles Rams extend Puka Nacua to a record-breaking contract extension this year, as many expect them to do so that he doesn’t come near free agency in 2027, then his value to the team per dollar immediately goes down. That’s just on a per dollar basis—factually a star player making $5 million is a better dollar value than one making $40 million.
Puka’s contract wouldn’t immediately go to a $40 million cap hit in 2026 or anywhere close to that. But it would still cost the Rams a ton of money and start the clock on Puka’s rising cap hit every season, starting in 2026.
If that happens, who becomes the new “best value” on the roster?
Jared Verse: $4.1 million cap hit
Because he’s not extension eligible until 2027 at the soonest, Verse carries the highest probability to be a great value in 2026:
- He’s an edge rusher (expensive position)
- He’s already a fierce presence
- He costs $4 million
The top of the edge rusher market is $46 million at Micah Parsons. In a hypothetical universe where Verse could sign an extension right now, he’d command at least $35 million, which is where Maxx Crosby is at. The largest cap hit for an edge rusher in 2026 is T.J. Watt at $42 million.
Is Verse as good as Brian Burns? Burns has a cap hit of $36 million this year.
That would be a net value of about $32 million because Verse is on a rookie contract. That’s a great value.
Byron Young: $5.9 million cap hit
As a fourth-year player, Young makes $1.8 million more than Verse. With 27.5 career sacks, Young is due for a huge pay day in the next 13 months. A franchise tag would be nearly $30 million next year. So you could argue that Young is at least a $24 million net value right now in L.A.’s favor.
Kobie Turner: $4 million cap hit
The top of the defensive tackle market is $31.75 million with Chris Jones. If Kobie Turner is worth a $26 million per year contract then his net value is $22 million. Not bad for a third round pick.
In fact, that’s a combind $46 million net value with two third round picks: Young and Turner. Amazing value for Les Snead.
Braden Fiske: $2.5 million cap hit
You could do just about the same thing for Fiske and he has a cap hit that’s $1.5 million under Turner. Fiske wasn’t as productive as he was as a rookie (3 sacks and only 4 TFL) but he has the potential to be great. Even the last season version of Fiske would be a net value over $10 million.
Speaking of these draft picks, the same can’t be said for Josaiah Stewart yet.
It’s not a negative by any means, Stewart had fewer opportunities to contribute as a rookie compared to Young and Verse. His playing time increased in the playoffs going up from 33% to 42%. If he has a breakout campaign then Stewart would also have immense value. His cap hit is only $1.4 million, so he’s already a great value.
First round rookies: $3-$4.5 million cap hit
Will Josaiah Stewart be a more valuable contributor in 2026 than L.A.’s rookies? Well, it’s way too early to tell. But it’s interesting to consider the different salaries for them because Stewart was a third round pick and the first rounders are bigger investments. Can those first rounders give $4 million worth of value? Perhaps. Only time will tell. There are times when first round picks help teams win Super Bowls during their rookie season.
Terrance Ferguson: $2.1 million cap hit
Ferguson caught just 11 passes as a rookie so there’s nowhere to go but up. The top of the tight end market sits at $19 million.
S Kam Kinchens: $1.5 million cap hit
Kyle Hamilton leads all safeties at $25 million per season. Kinchens is not a 100% snaps player yet—he was at 75% last season. Can he go up to being a full-time player who is too valuable to take off the field in 2026?
RT Warren McClendon: $1.2 million cap hit
An elite starting right tackle is worth $28 million per season. Even a reliable starter like McClendon is worth a minimum of $20 million like Jawaan Taylor of the Chiefs. That’s about $20 million worth of value if McClendon can hold down the spot for another season like he did in 2025.
LB Shaun Dolac: $1 million cap hit
One wild card pick here is Dolac, who could really help the Rams a lot if he earns a starting linebacker role over Omar Speights and gives the team at least $5 million worth of value. Linebacker was a weakness in 2025.
Who looks like the best value to you?
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