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Boy, these wide receiver contracts are sure getting expensive.
Earlier this offseason, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba became the highest-paid player at his position when he signed a four-year, $168.6M extension. Of course, he’s deserving of that after winning the 2025 Offensive Player of the Year and helping the Seahawks win their second Super Bowl.
Other contracts, however, are absurd. The Indianapolis Colts signed Alec Pierce to a four-year, $114M deal this offseason, despite surpassing 1,000 receiving yards once in his first four seasons. Sounds like an overpay. With that in mind, should teams avoid paying some WRs and invest that money in their running backs instead?
Can NFL teams replace some WRs with pass-catching RBs?
“I think the wide receiver prices have gotten so crazy that teams are warming up to the fact that you can get a super talented back with pass-catching ability instead,” an AFC executive told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler for a story published on Monday. “Paying $17M or $18M a year for a guy like that doesn’t sound so bad anymore.”
Now, to be clear, this isn’t to say a team should ditch all of its wideouts for RBs. They still have to establish the run. However, paying top-of-the-market money for a WR who isn’t worth that price is unwise, especially when a team features a running back who’s a proven pass-catcher.
Take a look at San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, for example. Last season, he rushed for 1,202 yards (No. 8 in the NFL). He also had 924 receiving yards (No. 23 in the NFL).
That was more receiving yards than 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk logged. He has distanced himself from the team since suffering a right knee injury in October 2024. He is now petitioning for the Washington Commanders to sign or trade for him, even though they may consider another option.
Signing Aiyuk to a four-year, $120M deal before the 2024 season looks even more foolish for the 49ers when comparing it to McCaffrey’s deal (two years, $38M, begins in 2026).
Another example would be Atlanta Falcons standout RB Bijan Robinson. Last season, he had 1,478 rushing yards (No. 4 in the NFL) and 820 receiving yards (No. 32 in the NFL) in 17 games. That’s only 99 fewer receiving yards than Falcons WR Drake London had. Granted, London would’ve had more had he played in 17 games rather than 12, due to knee and hip injuries. Still, that’s an impressive total for Robinson.
Robinson, entering the fourth year of his rookie deal, is set to make $1.145M in base salary this upcoming season. He’ll make more if he signs an extension. Spotrac estimates his market value is a three-year deal worth $18.9M annually.
2025 first-team All-Pro Robinson still wouldn’t make as much as London even if he signs a new deal. Atlanta gave the WR a four-year, $141M extension this offseason, despite earning no All-Pro nods and making no Pro Bowls in his first four seasons.
Now, some of this exposes the ridiculousness of the NFL’s pay structure, which is partially determined by position. Players like McCaffrey and Robinson should be making more.
That said, NFL teams should work within the system and use it to their advantage. Instead of blowing money on a WR who isn’t a Tier 1 player, save some of that for a versatile RB instead and draft another WR as a replacement. These game-changing RBs provide a two-for-one deal, and who doesn’t love that?
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