Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Wide Receivers: Salary Rankings

min read
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs a drill during an NFL mini camp football practice Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
BetMGM @BETMGM Jul 12, 2022, 2:17 PM

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

 

RankPlayerTeamTotal Cash
1Cooper KuppRams$30 million
2Terry McLaurinCommanders$29.5 million
3Mike WilliamsChargers$28 million
4Tyreek HillDolphins$26.6 million
5Stefon DiggsBills$24.6 million
6A.J. BrownEagles$24.2 million
7Davante AdamsRaiders$23.4 million
8Christian KirkJaguars$22.5 million
9D.J. MoorePanthers$20.7 million
10(t)Chris GodwinBucs$20 million
10(t)Amari CooperBrowns$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

NFL Odds at BetMGM

NFL odds are always available at BetMGM.

With offseason futures, weekly spreads, up-to-the-second live sports betting odds, player props, and more, there are thousands of different betting opportunities for everyone.

Visit the sportsbook today to get closer to the action!

 

Actor Jamie Foxx on the Welcome Offer BetMGM's banner.
About the Author

BetMGM

Read More @BETMGM

Our BetMGM editors and authors are sports experts with a wealth of knowledge of the sports industry at all levels. Their coverage includes sports news, previews and predictions, fun facts, and betting.

Our BetMGM editors and authors are sports experts with a wealth of knowledge of the sports industry at all levels. Their coverage includes sports news, previews and predictions, fun facts, and betting.