Performance Based Value: Seattle Seahawks

In this series of pieces, Pro Football Focus is hammering into the value of players. To us it’s a “Performance Based Value” number, telling you what players were worth (by our grading) in 2012. You can read about the work we’ve done to create it here, but in short:

• It’s solely about what a player did on the field in 2012
• Players are grouped by positions so their play essentially earns them a portion of the positional salary pool
• It’s all about cap hits (these values are approximate)

Here are 2012′s most undervalued and overvalued Seattle Seahawks:

(* Denotes player missed significant portion of time through injury)

Undervalued

1. Russell Wilson, Quarterback

What can you say about Wilson? The third-round rookie didn’t just play well in his rookie year, he was exceptional. The more the Seahawks asked of him, the more he delivered and by the end of the year he had finished joint fifth overall in our quarterback rankings. It almost goes without saying how much value he provides.

2012 Cap Hit: $500k
2012 Performance Based Value: $12.6m
Value Differential: +$12m

2. Richard Sherman, Cornerback

In most teams Sherman would have the highest Value Differential, as the sophomore continues to provide an instant return on the Seahawks' 2011 fifth-round investment. This year he finished as the top cornerback in our coverage rankings and led the league with 23 combined interceptions and pass break ups.

2012 Cap Hit: $500k
2012 Performance Based Value: $11.5m
Value Differential: +$11m

3. Bobby Wagner, Linebacker

It’s almost unfair how much the Seahawks get instantly out of their draft picks. I mean, what’s the magic formula that allows them to hit a homerun so often while others fail to get any contribution? Wagner is another example of this, with the rookie leading our middle linebacker rankings with a fine debut season that saw him force himself into an every-down role.

2012 Cap Hit: $800k
2012 Performance Based Value: $10.4m
Value Differential: +$9.7m

4. Brandon Browner, CB – Cap: $400k, PBV: $5.4m, Value Differential: +$5m

5. Kam Chancellor, S – Cap: $600k, PBV: $4.7m, Value Differential: +$4.1m

6. K.J. Wright, LB – Cap: $600k, PBV: $4.4m, Value Differential: +$3.8m

7. Marshawn Lynch, RB – Cap: $5.5m, PBV: $9m, Value Differential: +$3.5m

8. Golden Tate, WR – Cap: $1.3m, PBV: $4.6m, Value Differential: +$3.3m

9. Chris Clemons, DE – Cap: $4.3m, PBV: $6.3m, Value Differential: +$2m

10. Doug Baldwin, WR – Cap: $500k, PBV: $2.3m, Value Differential: +$1.8m

Overvalued

1. Matt Flynn, Quarterback

Blame this on the emergence of Russell Wilson. Flynn was snapped up to be the Seahawks starter, but would play only 39 snaps as the rookie stole the show. What else can you say?

2012 Cap Hit: $4m
2012 Performance Based Value: $700k
Value Differential: -$3.3m

2. Alan Branch, Defensive Tackle

After some disappointing years in Arizona, Branch seemed to have turned a corner in his first year in Seattle. His work in the run game was stellar and prompted him to finish sixth overall in our 2011 defensive tackle rankings. Unfortunately, he didn’t quite live up to that performance this year with his grade dropping from a +19.5 to a -0.1 this year.

2012 Cap Hit: $4.8m
2012 Performance Based Value: $1.5m
Value Differential: -$3.3m

3. Red Bryant, Defensive End

As expected,  Bryant provided little for the Seahawks in terms of pass rush with no sacks or hits on the year. The problem is he also provided little in terms of helping out in the run game, with just ten stops over his last 15 games.

2012 Cap Hit: $4.0m
2012 Performance Based Value: $800k
Value Differential: -$3.2m

4. Leon Washington, RB – Cap: $3.4m, PBV: $800k, Value Differential: -$2.6m

5. Sidney Rice, WR – Cap: $8.2m, PBV: $5.6m, Value Differential: -$2.6m

6. Earl Thomas, S – Cap: $3.7m, PBV: $1.7m, Value Differential: -$2m

7. Jason Jones, DT – Cap: $4.5m, PBV: $2.6m, Value Differential: -$1.9m

8. Zach Miller, TE– Cap: $7m, PBV: $5.2m, Value Differential: -$1.8m

9. Michael Robinson, FB – Cap: $2.5m, PBV: $1m, Value Differential: -$1.5mm

10. Ben Obomanu, WR – Cap: $2.2m, PBV: $700k, Value Differential: -$1.5m

* EDIT: Originally included Marcus Trufant due to an incorrect 2012 cap hit for him.

Summary – Team Value Differential: $32.8m

Phenomenal stuff from the Seahawks who are reaping the benefit from some excellent drafting since John Schneider and Pete Carroll took charge of what appeared a sinking ship. Overall, 32 of their players earned positive grades and 32 negative, but when they hit on players, they hit on them big.

Follow Khaled on Twitter: @PFF_Khaled