SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) looks on during the NFL game between the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers on November 12, 2018 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Wide receiver value can be hard to calculate in the NFL, but there’s no question that these five players are seriously overpaid.
The modern NFL is putting a greater emphasis on passing than ever before. That’s why it’s no surprise to learn that wide receiver salaries continue to skyrocket around the league. The challenge for GMs is to make sure they are paying big money to the correct wideouts.
The need for difference-makers at the position has understandably caused some franchises to reach for players they believe can grow into elite contributors. Some of those gambles haven’t worked out. That’s why quite a few big name wide receivers are currently enjoying contracts that feature compensation that significantly outweighs their performance on the field.
The five guys on this list sport contracts that are particularly damaging to their teams. It doesn’t mean they are bad players, but it does mean they are making more money than they should.
5. Sterling Shepard
Most fans would be shocked to learn that Shepard is set to earn $10.25 million this year from the Giants. He’s a decent wide receiver, but he doesn’t deserve to be paid as the 19th highest player at his position.
Shepard was reasonably productive for New York last season, but he missed six games due to injury. That caused his overall stat line to finish with very mediocre totals of 57 catches for 576 yards.
Even if he stays healthy for a full 16-game slate in 2020, he shouldn’t be expected to blossom into a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver. He lacks the size to dominate match-ups on the outside and he doesn’t possess the elite speed required to excel in the slot. Shepard is a No. 2 or No. 3 wide receiver in a good NFL offense.
He’ll likely remain productive enough to stay below the radar of fans looking for players to criticize for being overpaid, but he absolutely merits a spot on this list. Paying him five figures per season is another costly mistake by the Giants front office.