No NFL wide receiver made more than $21 million in 2021. Eight NFL wide receivers are scheduled to make more than $21 million in 2022.
Blockbuster trades dominated the NFL offseason, and while three of those trades resulted in three receivers cashing in with deals that include more than $21 million in cash for 2022, several receivers struck it rich with their current team, including the first $30-million receiver in NFL history, Cooper Kupp. Kupp’s three-year, $80-million extension gave the reigning Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams – who currently hold the fourth-best Super Bowl odds at the online sportsbook – the highest-paid quarterback, highest-paid receiver, and highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.
By total cash, here are the highest-paid NFL wide receivers for 2022:
Highest-Paid NFL Wide Receivers: Salary Rankings, 2022
| Rank | Player | Team | Total Cash |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cooper Kupp | Rams | $30 million |
| 2 | Terry McLaurin | Commanders | $29.5 million |
| 3 | Mike Williams | Chargers | $28 million |
| 4 | Tyreek Hill | Dolphins | $26.6 million |
| 5 | Stefon Diggs | Bills | $24.6 million |
| 6 | A.J. Brown | Eagles | $24.2 million |
| 7 | Davante Adams | Raiders | $23.4 million |
| 8 | Christian Kirk | Jaguars | $22.5 million |
| 9 | D.J. Moore | Panthers | $20.7 million |
| 10(t) | Chris Godwin | Bucs | $20 million |
| 10(t) | Amari Cooper | Browns | $20 million |
1. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Cooper Kupp’s deal included the biggest guarantee ($75 million) for a wide receiver and non-quarterback offensive player in NFL history.
His total cash number for 2022 exceeds his career earnings from 2017-21 and makes him the only receiver in the top 10 of highest-paid NFL players in 2022.
Cooper Kupp career earnings: $23,648,331
2. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
Approximately $51 million of Terry McLaurin’s three-year, $68.4-million contract – signed this summer after months of trade rumors as the former third-round pick was entering the final year of his four-year rookie deal – is guaranteed. The deal includes signing bonuses, roster bonuses, and workout bonuses of $5.6 million, $2.9 million, and $500,000 each year from 2023-24.
Terry McLaurin career earnings: $3,029,671
3. Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
Mike Williams averaged more than 15 yards per reception for the fourth straight season en route to a career-high in receiving yards and a new contract with $40 million in guarantees.
The former top-10 pick will make $40 million in cash over the next two seasons before his dead cap hit plummets to $7 million in 2024 (from $26 million in 2023) when he’s due another $20 million in cash.
Mike Williams career earnings: $35,588,155
4. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill earned less than $2 million in total cash over his first three seasons after his fifth-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. He earned more than $38 million over the last three seasons and could earn another $140 million over the life of his new deal in Miami.
Tyreek Hill career earnings: $40,254,171
5. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills
With two years left on a five-year, $72-million deal (2020-23) signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, Stefon Diggs agreed to an extension in April of 2022 that runs through the 2027 season.
The two-time Pro Bowl receiver is scheduled to earn at least $18 million each of the next six years.
Stefon Diggs career earnings: $58,635,421
6. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
A.J. Brown was the NFL’s 103rd-highest-paid receiver last year. He had a lower total cash number ($1,008,852) than teammate Marcus Johnson ($1,016,388), who caught nine passes for 160 yards in seven appearances.
Now, with a four-year, $100-million deal in Philadelphia, Brown will be one of the highest-paid receivers in NFL history.
A.J. Brown career earnings: $4,386,590
7. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
In the first year of a five-year, $140-million deal, Davante Adams has a cap hit of just $8.2 million. That skyrockets to $30.5 million in 2023, $21.3 million in 2024, and $40.1 million in 2024 and 2025.
Davante Adams career earnings: $61,968,141
8. Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars
Just over half of Christian Kirk’s four-year, $72-million deal is guaranteed ($37 million), which, at minimum, will push his career earnings over $44 million. He’s scheduled to earn $16.5 million in cash in each of the final three years of the contract.
Christian Kirk career earnings: $7,577,4645
9. D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers will enjoy one year of D.J. Moore’s minuscule base salary ($1 million), and modest cap hit ($6.1 million) before those numbers explode in 2023 and beyond.
Moore’s three-year, $61.9-million contract – signed in 2022 – calls for a base salary of at least $14.9 million and a cap hit of at least $20.9 million each year from 2023-25.
D.J. Moore career earnings: $11,410,079
10(t). Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
Amari Cooper has three years remaining on the five-year, $100-million he signed after the 2019 season, his first full season with the Cowboys. And that deal’s cash structure is straightforward; he’ll earn $20 million each of the next three years.
Amari Cooper career earnings: $76,672,334
10(t). Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin enters the first year of a three-year, $60-million deal with serious health concerns after suffering an ACL injury last December. The contract includes dead cap hits of $40 million in 2022 and $35 million in 2023 after the Bucs guaranteed him $40 million.
Chris Godwin career earnings: $20,631,664
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