Babin makes list of NFL's best bargains

Jason Babin turned in a career-high 18 sacks last season.

He was one of the major off-season acquisitions a year ago that actually worked. Before 2011, his single-season high for sacks was 12.5 in 2010 with the Titans.

Sure, the Wide 9 scheme has helped Babin a ton. Before playing under Jim Washburn in Tennessee during 2010 season, his single-season sack high was five.

But even if the system is helping him, it's hard to argue against the production. Babin was third in the NFL in sacks last season. Eighteen sacks is a massive number.

But $5.75 million for 2012 isn't.

Babin is one of the NFL's 11 best bargains according to CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora.

"The deal remains very cap-friendly and even in the event of injury, the cap prorations are set up so that the Eagles are protected and the team's cap is in great shape moving forward," La Canfora writes.

The single-season record for sacks in a season is 22.5. Michael Strahan set the mark in 2011 and three guys came pretty close last season. Minnesota's Jared Allen had 22, Dallas' DeMarcus Ware had 19.5 and Babin had 18.

Recently, Allen said that 25 sacks in a single season is possible and mentioned Ware as a guy who could get it done.

“I’ll also flip it back on him, and say, he can do the same thing," Ware said to the Dallas Morning News in response to Allen's comment, "And also, Jason Babin. They’re playing really well. But it’s all about how the season goes. If it’s more of a passing season, we’re probably going to have more sacks.”

E-mail Dave Zangaro at dzangaro@comcastsportsnet.com