The Current/Future WR Market

The current WR market isn’t overly crowded with guys making a large sum of money annually. There are only 21 receivers in the NFL who are currently making over $10 million on average in their contracts. That’s not that many considering how many quality receivers there are in the NFL. This is including Beckham’s new deal.

Most recently, Sammy Watkins and Brandin Cooks signed large deals this offseason. Watkins signed with the Kansas City Chiefs for three years, $48 million. With all due respect to Watkins, Beckham is making just three more million than Watkins on average. To compare the two, Beckham has totaled 90 receptions, 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first three seasons (not counting last year due to his injury). On the other hand, Watkins has never had more than 65 receptions, 1,000 yards once and has never had 10 or more touchdowns.

Now, let’s compare him to Cooks. Cooks signed a five-year, $81 million dollar extension with the Los Angeles Rams. Cooks has had three straight 1,000 yard seasons and has accumulated 24 touchdowns in those three years. He has failed to reach 90 receptions through in his four-year career. Cooks is a very talented receiver, but still isn’t on the level of Beckham.

One topic of discussion this off-season has been the future contract for Julio Jones. There’s no doubt Jones will use Beckham’s new mega-deal as an example of what he wants. It’s likely he’ll come out with more money than Beckham if he does indeed become a free agent next year or if he re-signs with the Atlanta Falcons. This will begin a new market for top-notch WRs like Jones, Michael Thomas, Tyreek Hill, and Amari Cooper. When it comes to it, the Giants are getting a bargain on Beckham in the long run.

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