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ESPN’s Dan Graziano tracked the explosive market for the highest-paid NFL wide receivers this week. Equally fascinating is the story behind it.
The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t traded a receiver since 2003, haven’t taken a first-round pick since 2006, and haven’t overpaid a receiver in forever. Instead, in the last 15 years he’s 11, they’ve taken his 2nd or 3rd round WR.
This year’s bargain is league-wide training camp rookie sensation George Pickens, who was selected 52nd overall in the second round. Pickens will pair with Chase Claypool (2020 Round 2) and Dionte Johnson (2019 Round 3) to give the Steelers a top-5 3-pointer. Calvin Austin III and cheap veterans Gunner Olshevski and Miles Boykin. Total of all six cap charges: $15 million.
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Pittsburgh avoids receivers at risk above $20 million with this philosophy. The wide-open college offense is producing his NFL-ready receivers at breakneck speed. Nothing is more cost-effective than a starter playing on a rookie contract. Keep drafting them, keep stirring them up, don’t fall in love with them.
Not just the Steelers
Which NFL club would agree? Indianapolis QB Matt Ryan is happy with three second-round receivers: Paris Campbell (2019), Michael Pittman Jr. (2020) and Alec Pearce (2022). increase. Colts WR room total cap rate: $9.4 million.
After trading Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Baltimore heard pundit cries to sign veteran receivers. I brought The group is led by Rashod Bateman (1st round, 2021), Devin Duvernay (2nd round, 2020) and James Proche II (6th round, 2020). Ravens WR room total cap rate: $6 million.
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Similarly, Kansas City GM Brett Beach had to make a decision after rejecting Tyreek Hill’s request for $30 million a year, giving Miami five draft selections. , used one of the Dolphins’ picks in starting CB Trent McDuffie. He used another one at WR Skyy Moore and the rest he had Mecole Hardman and in free agency he joined Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Juju Smith-Schuster and against the cap he made just $15.4 million. We attended the rebuilt WR room at a cost.
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Green Bay, notorious for not picking a first-round receiver since 2002, has nine receivers worth $16 million. Chicago and Atlanta in rebuilding each keep WR cap costs below his $10 million.
“Premium position”?it’s just an agent’s story
As such, there are competing strategies to appreciate and enjoy in the upcoming season. In an ESPN article, AJ Brown, Debo Samuel, DK Metcalfe, Mike Williams, and Chris Godwin’s agent Tory It’s no surprise that his dandies favored a high-priced approach. “I think he’s just been in a premium position to be honest,” Dundee said.
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The definition of “premium position” has traditionally been players who score points and directly prevent points. By that standard, wide receivers in the NFL have always been a premium position.
But premium or non-premium may no longer matter. The real problem in the NFL today is scarcity and excess.
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Even if there was no doubt about it, a rare position was identified at the top of this year’s draft. His first seven picks were edge rusher, cornerback and offensive his tackle. With an influx of new college talent every year, the wide receiver is no longer a rare position.
Terry O’Neill is a former Executive Producer of CBS Sports and NBC Sports and former Senior Vice President of the New Orleans Saints.