DK Metcalf signs extension with Seahawks: Who are the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL?

The Seattle Seahawks locked down their best receiver, DK Metcalf for the small price of $72 million for three years. Shockingly, that makes him just the sixth-highest paid receiver in the NFL in 2022, with a $24 million annual salary. Though the quarterback is still the highest-paid position in the league, receiver is just behind it, with the price for a good receiver going up each year.

Here are the top 10 highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL.

1. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins - $30 million

The Kansas City Chiefs traded their star receiver to the Miami Dolphins for five draft picks. With the Dolphins, Tyreek Hill signed a four-year, $120 million contract with $72.2 million guaranteed. That means in 2022 Hill will earn $30 million, making the six-time Pro Bowler the highest-paid receiver in the NFL.

2. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders - $28.25 million

Davante Adams was previously the number one on the list before Hill was traded. Adams was originally placed on the Green Bay Packers’ franchise tag for around $20 million. Adams knew he was worth more, and refused to play on the franchise tag. So the Packers traded him away to Vegas, where they signed him to a five-year, $141.25 million contract. Adams will earn $28.25 million in 2022.

3. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals - $27.25 million

DeAndre Hopkins was bumped down to third with the recent Adams and Hill trades. The four-time All-Pro signed with the Cardinals two years ago, and then later signed a two-year, $54.5 million contract extension. Hopkins will earn an annual $27.25 million in 2022.

4. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills - $26 million

Stefon Diggs gave the Bills 230 receptions for 2,760 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in two seasons, and in exchange, he got a four-year, $104 million deal. That means Diggs will earn $26 million in 2022, making him the fourth-highest paid receiver in the NFL.

5. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles - $25 million

The Tennessee Titans traded A.J. Brown away to the Eagles in exchange for draft picks 18 and 101. The Eagles needed a weapon for Jalen Hurts and were willing to pay big bucks to get it. Brown signed a four-year, $100 million deal with Philadelphia, earning him $25 million in 2022.

6. DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks - $24 million

$24 million sounded like a lot until you read about Tyreek Hill and company up there, right? Now, it’s still not exactly chump change though. With DK Metcalf’s three-year, $72 million extension, he becomes the sixth-highest paid receiver in 2022, raking in $24 million for the year. The contract also includes a $30 million signing bonus, a record amount for a receiver. Let’s hope Geno Smith or Drew Lock can get him the ball as often and as effectively as Russell Wilson did.

7. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams - $22 million

Cooper Kupp proved he’s more than worthy to be in this top 10 group. He won the triple crown last season, leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, and bringing the Rams to a Super Bowl championship AND winning Super Bowl MVP. The Rams were smart to give Kupp a three-year extension, making his five-year contract worth $110 million through 2026. So in 2022, Kupp will earn $14.8 million with an annual average value of $22 million, since there will be a big jump in earnings from 2022 to 2024.

8. DJ Moore, Carolina Panthers - $20.628 million

The Carolina Panthers need someone reliable, and they’ve found that with receiver DJ Moore. They recognize his value and signed him to a three-year, $61.884 million extension this offseason. Moore will earn $20.628 annually in 2022.

9. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers - $20.025 million

Not far behind Moore is Keenan Allen with an annual salary of $20.025 million in 2022. In 2020, Allen signed a four-year, $80.1 million extension with the Chargers, making him now the ninth-highest paid receiver in the league in 2022.

10. Three-way tie with $20 million, between: Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers; Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns; Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Chargers are already spending big between quarterback Justin Herbert and receiver Keenan Allen. Mike Williams just adds to their spending with his three-year, $60 million contract. That gives Herbert two talented (albeit expensive) receivers to work with over the next three years.

The Dallas Cowboys traded their best receiver, Amari Cooper, to the Cleveland Browns. The Cowboys weren’t willing to pay the price Cooper wanted, not considering him worth quite that much. The Browns, on the other hand, were shopping for a receiver for Baker Mayfield after they released OBJ mid-season (only to watch him win the Super Bowl with the Rams) and then Jarvis Landry in the offseason, and were willing to pay for it. Cooper signed a five-year, $100 million contract with Dallas in 2020 and still has three years left on that. Now, he’ll earn $20 million with the Browns for the 2022 season.

The Buccaneers put Chris Godwin on the franchise tag back in March, but finally gave him a three-year, $60 million extension with $40 million guaranteed before the franchise tag deadline in July. He now joins the elite top 10 group with $20 million earnings in 2022.