The 2022 NFL offseason has been very interesting.
Between blockbuster trades and free agents gaining big paydays as they sign with new teams, there have been a lot of big-dollar contracts.
Wide receivers like Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill are the biggest beneficiaries so far.
There are other WRs who may benefit from this explosion of money spent on the position.
The next three logically in line for big paydays are as follows:
3. Deebo Samuel
Deebo Samuel, 26, is contracted with the San Francisco 49ers through the 2022 season.
The second-round pick at No. 36 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft exploded in 2021 with 1,770 all purpose yards and 14 touchdowns.
Is he a running back or is he a wide receiver?
The majority of his yards are through the passing game, and he had a career-high average of 18.2 yards per reception in 2021.
I miss being able to watch Deebo Samuel play football. #49ers pic.twitter.com/VbSPwtRH75
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) March 30, 2022
Assuming his 2022 is similar to his 2021 in terms of production, Samuel will be in line for a big contract in 2023.
His four-year $7.2 million rookie deal will be in the rear-view mirror.
2. D.K. Metcalf
DK Metcalf since joining the league
216 REC 🥶
3,170 YDS 🥱
14. 7 AVG 🔥
29 TDS 🚀
2020 2nd Team all Pro 💪 pic.twitter.com/LIHtWGdrZT— 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗯 (@kalebuh) March 25, 2022
The Seattle Seahawks are slowly dismantling the team presumably for purposes of a lower budget rebuild.
There is one big offensive star left on the roster, but the question is how long will that be the case.
He is 24 year old D.K. Metcalf and 2022 is the fourth and final year of his rookie deal valued at $4.5 million.
Metcalf has 29 career touchdowns in 49 games played.
Of his 216 receptions, 150 resulted in first downs.
He has great hands and speed, but should he stay in Seattle, it will be an adjustment to go from the chemistry he had with Russell Wilson to starting anew with Drew Lock.
1. Will Fuller
Will Fuller, 27, had great chemistry with Deshaun Watson while they were teammates with the Houston Texans.
Fuller was with the Miami Dolphins in 2021, and a finger injury diminished his playing time and productivity.
Offseason finger surgery has Fuller healthier and ready to go in 2022.
He is a free agent so he is looking to cash in now.
Deshaun Watson connects with Will Fuller for a TD.
— #ClemsonNFL (@ClemsonPros) October 4, 2020
While the injury will diminish his payday somewhat, his body of work through five seasons at Houston is still noteworthy.
He had 24 touchdowns and over 3,100 yards in those five seasons.
Of his 213 career receptions, 141 of them were for first downs.
Conclusion
It will be interesting to watch the next wave of wide receiver contract extensions.
Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill set the bar high, but they are franchise WR1s.
Deshaun Watson’s contract which provides 100% guaranteed money also changes the landscape across all positions.
Adams and Hill got a lot of guaranteed money in their deals.
New WR Contract Guarantees
▪️ Tyreek Hill, $72.2M
▪️ Davante Adams, $65.6M
▪️ D.J. Moore, $41.6M
▪️ Chris Godwin, $40M
▪️ Mike Williams, $40M
▪️ Christian Kirk, $37M
▪️ Allen Robinson, $30.7M
▪️ Michael Gallup, $27M
▪️ Russell Gage, $20M
▪️ Marquez Valdes-Scantling, $15M— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 29, 2022
Agents and players will seek this type of long-term security in contract extensions.
Some argue that big contracts with massive amounts of guaranteed money eliminate the competitiveness and parity of the sport.
The moment that the NFL gets fully guaranteed contracts is the moment that league parity and greatness dies.
The hard salary cap, coupled with non fully guaranteed contracts is a large reason why the sport is such a consistent product.
— Nick (@TooOldForSports) March 28, 2022
It is a changing dynamic that will be evaluated in the years to come.
NEXT: Bears Missed Out On Ryan Bates In Free Agency