NFL wide receiver salaries have continued to skyrocket as the important of NFL passing games has boomed. Now they are enjoying the spillover salary rewards from quarterback, the league's highest-paid position
As the salary cap space keeps expanding, teams are finding it easier to pay their top wideouts top dollar. Now it's even possible for the willing teams, such as the Dolphins and Eagles, to lock up two receivers to lucrative long-term contracts.
There's constant change in the top 10 highest-paid receivers when considering the three major parameters: average annual salary, practical guaranteed money and total contract value. Before more big names get paid in 2024 and 2025 and as the list is bound to change again a lot in 2025, here's breaking the latest rankings:
MORE WR DEALS: A.J. Brown | Amon-Ra St. Brown | Jaylen Waddle
Which NFL wide receiver has the highest salary?
This is the basic and best initial way to stack up wide receivers against each other in terms of worth to their teams. The average annual value is a barometer of where the market stands and where it's going next in relation to the salary cap.
Jefferson, with his deal from the Vikings coming down on June 3, broke the bank with the highest non-QB salary in NFL history. Lamb and Aiyuk were the latest editions in late August. The Eagles and Dolphins have put two receivers each on this list this offseason. St. Brown also got his mega deal before the summer. Adams and Kupp are still reaping the benefits of past huge deals as they play into their 30s.
NFL's highest-paid wide receivers
| Rank | Player | Average annual value |
| 1 | Justin Jefferson, 49ers | $35 million |
| 2 | CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys | $34 million |
| 3 | A.J. Brown, Eagles | $32 million |
| 4 | Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions | $30.002 million |
| 5 | Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers | $30 million |
| 5 | Tyreek Hill, Dolphins | $30 million |
| 7 | Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins | $28.25 million |
| 8 | Davante Adams, Raiders | $28 million |
| 9 | D.J. Moore, Bears | $27.5 million |
| 10 | Cooper Kupp, Rams | $26.7 million |
Which NFL wide receiver makes the most guaranteed money?
The Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase is taking a close look at these numbers, because in the end, that's the surefire money earned by the top wide receivers. Jefferson set a high ceiling, but now there's a much higher floor here, too.
Brown and St. Brown slipped to third and fifth in this category after the Lamb and Moore deal sand Waddle ended up right there with Aiyuk.
CONTRACT PROJECTION: How much can Ja'Marr Chase make now?
NFL wide receiver contracts with the most guaranteed money
| Rank | Player | Guarantees |
| 1 | Justin Jefferson, Vikings | $110 million |
| 2 | CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys | $100 million |
| 3 | A.J. Brown, Eagles | $84 million |
| 4 | D.J. Moore, Bears | $81.525 million |
| 5 | Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions | $77 million |
| 6 | Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers | $76 million |
| 6 | Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins | $76 million |
| 8 | Cooper Kupp, Rams | $75 million |
| 9 | Davante Adams, Raiders | $65.67 million |
| 10 | Amari Cooper, Browns | $60 million |
Which NFL wide receiver has the largest overall contract?
Adams still is tied to top spot here with Jefferson (four years, $140 million) because of his five-year deal worth $28 million a season. Four years at $30 million a season has become the new high floor. Jefferson pushed the average to $35 million-plus a season, also creating a new ceiling for the total value.
Top NFL wide receiver contracts in total value
| Rank | Player | Value |
| 1 | Justin Jefferson, Vikings | $140 million |
| 1 | Davante Adams, Raiders | $140 million |
| 3 | CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys | $136 million |
| 4 | Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions | $120.01 million |
| 5 | Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers | $120 million |
| 6 | D.J. Moore, Bears | $110 million |
| 7 | Amari Cooper, Browns | $100 million |
| 8 | A.J. Brown, Eagles | $96 million |
| 9 | Calvin Ridley, Titans | $92 million |
| 10 | Tyreek Hill, Dolphins | $90 million |
Which NFL wide receiver has the highest career earnings?
Hopkins, Cooper, Adams, Evans, Allen and Cooks mean that more than half of this list are active players with the Bills' Stefon Diggs at No. 11. Fitzgerald and Jones can expect to see the gap closed in a hurry as many of the players in the lists above, barring injury, will be challengers soon.
There are diminishing returns for most wide receivers past 30, but the special ones can provide a few more good late seasons on top of elite consistent production early. Jefferson, Lamb and Chase are on the trajectory to take the best three spots here in time, too.
NFL wide receiver career earnings leaders
| Rank | Player | Career earnings |
| 1 | Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals | $180.757 million |
| 2 | Julio Jones, Falcons & more | $149.167 million |
| 3 | DeAndre Hopkins, Titans | $125.457 million |
| 4 | A.J. Green, Bengals & more | $118.781 million |
| 5 | Amari Cooper, Browns | $116.672 million |
| 6 | Davante Adams, Raiders | $112.218 million |
| 7 | Calvin Johnson, Lions | $112.216 million |
| 8 | Mike Evans, Buccaneers | $110.362 million |
| 9 | Keenan Allen, Bears | $110.012 million |
| 10 | Brandin Cooks, Cowboys | $108.470 million |
