Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Wide Receivers of 2013-2014

June 2024 ยท 13 minute read

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Wide receiver has always been one of the extra glamorous positions within the NFL. Typically, wide receivers call for monumental amounts of attention at the field and stale, are highly-paid and feature vibrant personalities. A handy guide a rough youtube seek of "NFL touchdown celebrations" will disclose an inherent ability for performance from these avid gamers that is unrivaled in a lot of professional sports activities. But more than that, as the NFL has more and more become more of a passing league, having quality WRs may also be the difference between a mean offense and an elite one.

As the torch is passed from the remaining technology of nice WRs like Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, new ones have emerged to take their position. Although a big phase of a wide receiver's manufacturing lies in his dating together with his workforce's quarterback, in point of fact nice WRs have the opportunity to make catches and ranking touchdowns regardless of who is throwing the ball. This record will contain the top 10 highest-paid wide receivers in the league this 12 months in terms of their moderate salaries.

10. DeSean Jackson - Philadelphia Eagles - $9.4 Million

The diminutive wide receiver has develop into a key playmaker for the Eagles ever since he was drafted in the second one round in 2008. Due to injuries to different WRs, DeSean Jackson was once thrust into the beginning role in his rookie 12 months and used to be largely a hit, breaking rookie group data for receiving yards and receptions. The most effective blemish on his rookie year used to be his unforgettable blunder on Monday Night Football as opposed to the Dallas Cowboys the place he famously dropped the ball before working into the top zone. Fumbles are commonplace in the NFL, however Jackson was once running all on my own and appeared extra fascinated with celebrating than ensuring he had scored.

Apart from that, Jackson has been a risk in each the receiving and the punt-return recreation for the Eagles. Things had been rocky between him and the crew in 2010 as he publicly voiced his displeasure about his contract. In 2011, he selected to not report to training camp to reveal his frustration with his expiring contract situation. In 2012, when Jackson was once in spite of everything set to change into a loose agent, the Eagles placed the franchise tag on him, in any case giving him the contract he desired, with  $fifty one million over 5 years. Jackson is a two-time Pro Bowler who has the danger to take it to the home each time he touches the ball and is deserving of the contract he in spite of everything received.

9. Steve Smith - Carolina Panthers - $9,437,500

The loud-mouthed, small wide receiver has all the time prided himself on being a hard-nosed player who is not afraid to make difficult catches in the heart of the sector or get within the face of opposing cornerbacks. Steve Smith was once initially drafted within the third around of the 2001 NFL draft. In his first play as a professional he returned a kick for a touchdown, demonstrating an indication of things to come back. Over the years, Smith has evolved into an elite WR and he in spite of everything has an elite QB to play with in Cam Newton - after spending most of his career with moderate ones. In 2004 he broke his leg and ignored the entire season, however came back robust in 2005, recording his highest personal 12 months and winning NFL comeback participant of the year.

Things have no longer at all times long gone smoothly for Smith as he has been excited about a variety of altercations over his career - probably the most notable one being when he punched teammate Ken Lucas in the face all over training camp. Despite the altercations (and superb voice bites) Smith has been an elite player who has been to 5 Pro Bowls and owns each franchise document for the Panthers at the WR position. He is lately in the second of a three-year contract extension that will pay him $9,437,500 in keeping with yr.

8. Andre Johnson - Houston Texans - $9,685,714

As compared to the ultimate entry in this list, Andre Johnson is significantly more low-key. The soft-spoken wide receiver isn't heard from, however he is incessantly seen on Sundays. Since being drafted third total in the 2003 NFL draft, Johnson has consistently performed at an elite stage for the Houston Texans. After a solid rookie season, Johnson took off in his second 12 months and was once named to his first Pro Bowl in reputation of his efforts.

In 2007, after his rookie contract expired, Johnson signed an enormous six-year, $60 million contract and persisted his sturdy play for the Texans. In 2010, he was the highest-paid WR in the league with a two-year extension that can keep him on their roster till 2016. He has had any other solid 12 months this year, but seems to turning into discontent with the ongoing mediocrity on the QB place in Houston. Johnson is a six-time Pro Bowler and is one of simplest Forty gamers to have gathered 10,000 receiving yards.

7. Devin Hester - Chicago Bears - $10,243,750

Devin Hester is far and away essentially the most complicated access on this list. Hester is referred to as the all-time returner in NFL history, however has never actually made his mark in phrases of receiving. Currently on the Bears roster, Hester ranks behind all-star Brandon Marshall, up-and-comer Alshon Jeffrey and forged Earl Bennett. It's difficult to actually classify Hester, as at one point he used to be one of the most electrical gamers in the league. When he stepped as much as obtain a punt or a kick, you knew there was an excellent chance he would possibly run it back to the house.  However, regardless of nice efforts, he by no means was a dominant receiver, but extra of a seldom-used deep risk.

Hester's greatest receiving 12 months came in 2009 the place he were given 757 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. He received so much of publicity for his frustration together with his contract in 2008 and was once finally awarded a huge $40.975 million deal over four years that in spite of everything expires at the end of this season. The Bears might be glad to have him off the books and they'll have to re-sign superstar wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey who has been great this yr. Despite never growing right into a top WR, Hester has been a three-time Pro Bowler and holds the report for many punt-return touchdowns in NFL history.

6. Percy Harvin - Seattle Seahawks - $10,707,500

Percy Harvin is some other curious access on this listing, however no longer for a similar causes as Devin Hester. No one can deny the game-breaking ability that Harvin offers you within the receiving and go back sport, but he has been not able to stay on the box for a bunch of problems. Harvin was a first-round select of the Minnesota Vikings in 2009 and straight away paid dividends when he was named rookie of the yr. The following couple of years were not as kind, as a number of issues sprung up that pressured Harvin to the sidelines. From viruses to migraines, Harvin had causes to leave out a host of games over a period of two years. In his ultimate year as a Viking, Harvin finally played all 16 games and used to be a weapon for the team as they went to the postseason. When they might not agree on a new contract, the Vikings traded him to Seattle for a first, 3rd and seventh round select. He temporarily signed a huge $64.245 million deal over six years - an enormous risk for a Seattle group this is already overpaying Sidney Rice and will want to sign Russell Wilson within the coming years. Harvin has handiest seemed in a single recreation and has 17 receiving yards this season as a result of of a hip damage. He has been to at least one Pro Bowl and optimistically for Seattle, he can regain that form.

(*10*) 5. Vincent Jackson - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - $11,111,111

Vincent Jackson is a first-rate instance of why avid gamers love to check out free company, as he's a very solid player who was once paid like an elite one. Jackson was to start with a second-round pick out of the San Diego Chargers in the 2005 NFL draft. In his first two seasons he was a reserve receiver, sooner than accidents thrust him right into a beginning function in his 3rd season. He persisted to grow as a WR and ended changing into a Pro Bowler by means of the top of his rookie contract in 2010.

Jackson and the Chargers could not agree on a long-term deal in order that they positioned the franchise tag on him for the 2011 season. He spoke back with some other Pro Bowl season and the Chargers in spite of everything allowed him to test unfastened company. The receiver-needy Tampa Bay Buccaneers offered him a massive $55,555,555 deal over 5 years, and he has been a quality player for them since. Jackson is a three-time Pro Bowler and a very robust player, however does not deserve to be paid more than celebrity WRs like Brandon Marshall, A.J. Green and Dez Bryant.

4. Dwayne Bowe - Kansas City Chiefs - $11.2 Million

Similarly to Vincent Jackson, Dwayne Bowe is any other ready player who's being paid more than some of the league's superstars. Bowe used to be drafted by the Chiefs within the first round of the 2007 NFL entry draft and had a decent rookie year for the crew. He grew into his position as a beginning WR over the following couple of years and made his first and most effective Pro Bowl appearance in 2010 after his best 12 months as a pro. Also very similar to Vincent Jackson, Bowe and the Chiefs may now not to find any middle floor on a long-term deal. He used to be given the franchise tag in 2012, and in spite of Bowe's first rate production the Chiefs have been the worst crew in football which supposed wholesale adjustments on the control stage. Andy Reid got here in and promptly awarded his primary WR a new contract worth $56 million over 5 years. He also saddled him with QB Alex Smith and they have failed to find chemistry all through their first year in combination. Bowe is a forged starter with one Pro Bowl to his title, however may not be value his current status of fourth highest-paid WR within the league.

3. Mike Wallace - Miami Dolphins - $12 Million

Again, free agency is unbelievable for WRs. As the league turns into extra pass-oriented, groups fight to find guns to add round their quarterbacks. This benefits avid gamers like Mike Wallace, who aren't elite and feature only one talent, but can upload so much a workforce. Wallace used to be to begin with drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL draft. In his first 3 seasons, he established himself as a premier deep threat in the league, even incomes a Pro Bowl beginning in 2011 and reaching a Super Bowl in 2010. In 2012, coming to the top of his rookie contract, Wallace began to hold out on coaching camp to push for a new deal. None used to be given to him and he decided to check unfastened company in the summertime of 2013. Miami got here calling and gave the speedster a $60 million, five-year deal. Crazily sufficient, the Minnesota Vikings in reality offered extra for the one-dimensional receiver, however he preferred the warmer climate. Though Wallace is a succesful player, he is necessarily extra of a deep danger and that does not permit him to be thought to be an elite participant - despite the fact that he is paid like one. So a long way this 12 months Wallace has underwhelmed and may battle to top 1,000 yards for the season.

2. Larry Fitzgerald - Arizona Cardinals - $15.75 Million

Larry Fitzgerald has noticed all of it in his time in Arizona. He's played with hall-of-famers at quarterback, he is performed with follow squad quarterbacks, he is played in a Super Bowl and he is played on some of the worst groups in soccer. Through it all, he has remained a consummate professional and is truly one of the elite talents on the WR position. Fitzgerald was to start with drafted 3rd total within the 2004 NFL draft and he has paid dividends for the Cardinals franchise. After a tight rookie season, he made his first Pro Bowl in his moment 12 months as a certified.

Fitzgerald has now not ignored a Pro Bowl since, even after the retirement of Kurt Warner and being pressured to play with quarterbacks like John Skelton. In the summer season of 2011 he was once finally rewarded for his fantastic play with a large $126 million deal over eight years. He has been value each and every dollar and stays the face of the Arizona Cardinals. In overall, Fitzgerald is a seven-time Pro Bowler,  one-time Super Bowl finalist and owns almost every Cardinals receiving record. He is totally deserving of this contract and continues to produce for Arizona.

1. Calvin Johnson - Detroit Lions - $18,812,500

Calvin Johnson, affectionately referred to as Megatron, is the one WR in the league actually paid as though he was a quarterback, and with good explanation why. No wide receiver in the NFL can adjust a game like Megatron. He was once drafted moment overall via the Detroit Lions in 2007, one pick after global beater JaMarcus Russell for the Oakland Raiders. While the Raiders nonetheless feel the burn of that blunder, the Lions proceed to harvest the advantages of Oakland's mistake. After failing with first round selections on receivers in 2003, 2004, and 2005 with Charles Rogers, Roy Williams and Mike Williams respectively, the Lions finally hit a home-run with Calvin Johnson.

After a solid first year and a half, the Lions traded Roy Williams to the Cowboys, leaving Johnson as the top WR. He spoke back exceptionally smartly, turning into the best WR in the league briefly order. He won a present when the Lions selected Matthew Stafford with the primary overall pick in 2009 and each have grown in combination over time.  He used to be rewarded with a huge $150.5 million deal over eight years and has persevered to be the best WR within the league. He is a three-time Pro Bowler, owns the document for most receiving yards in one season and also holds the report for many consecutive 100+ backyard recreation at eight. It is fair to mention that the sky is the limit for this Decepticon.

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