NFL's highest-paid WRs: The top 10 wide receiver salaries for 2026 season, Rankings.
Wide receivers continue to receive some of the biggest contracts in the NFL. Teams are investing heavily in elite pass catchers who can change games and give quarterbacks reliable targets.
For the 2026 NFL season, 26 wide receivers are currently set to earn at least $20 million per year in average annual salary. Twenty-one receivers are scheduled to make at least $25 million annually.
Seattle Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the position with an average annual salary of $42.2 million.
The rankings are based on average annual salary, according to Over The Cap contract data through Aug. 30, 2026.
Who Is the Highest-Paid Wide Receiver in the NFL?
Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks is the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL for the 2026 season.
Smith-Njigba has an average annual salary of $42.2 million. His current contract is worth $168.6 million overall and includes $120 million in guaranteed money.
His contract puts him at the top of the NFL wide receiver salary rankings.
Top 10 Highest-Paid NFL Wide Receivers in 2026
Here are the highest-paid wide receivers based on average annual salary.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks, $42.2 million per year
Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals, $40.25 million per year
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons, $35.3 million per year
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens, $35 million per year
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings, $35 million per year
CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys, $34 million per year
D.K. Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers, $32.99 million per year
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets, $32.5 million per year
A.J. Brown, New England Patriots, $32 million per year
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints, $31 million per year
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Leads NFL Wide Receiver Salaries
Smith-Njigba sits at the top of the 2026 wide receiver salary rankings with an average annual salary of $42.2 million.
Ja'Marr Chase ranks second at $40.25 million, giving the NFL its only two wide receivers currently earning more than $40 million per season.
Drake London ranks third at $35.3 million, while Zay Flowers and Justin Jefferson are tied for fourth at $35 million annually.
Two Wide Receivers Earn More Than $40 Million
Smith-Njigba and Chase are the only wide receivers on the list with average annual salaries above $40 million.
Smith-Njigba leads at $42.2 million, while Chase earns $40.25 million per year.
The figures demonstrate the financial value teams place on elite wide receivers who can consistently produce as primary offensive weapons.
Five Wide Receivers Earn at Least $35 Million
Five players in the 2026 rankings have an average annual salary of at least $35 million.
Smith-Njigba leads the group, followed by Chase, London, Flowers and Jefferson.
CeeDee Lamb ranks sixth at $34 million, while D.K. Metcalf, Garrett Wilson, A.J. Brown and Chris Olave round out the top 10.
26 Wide Receivers Earn at Least $20 Million
The latest contracts show how valuable wide receivers have become across the NFL.
Twenty-six wide receivers are currently set to earn at least $20 million per year in average annual salary. Twenty-one are scheduled to make at least $25 million annually.
That puts wide receiver among the NFL's most highly compensated positions.
NFL Wide Receiver Salary Rankings for 2026
The 2026 top 10 includes several of the league's biggest offensive stars.
CeeDee Lamb earns $34 million per year, followed by D.K. Metcalf at $32.99 million and Garrett Wilson at $32.5 million.
A.J. Brown ranks ninth at $32 million, while Chris Olave completes the top 10 at $31 million annually.
Full List of NFL's highest paid players by Each Position in 2026 Season
Highest-Paid Quarterbacks | Highest-Paid Running backs |
Highest-Paid Wide receivers | Highest-Paid Tight ends |
Highest-Paid Cornerbacks | Highest-Paid Safeties |
Highest-Paid Linebackers | Highest-Paid Offensive-linemen |
Highest-Paid Defensive-linemen | Highest-Paid Edge rushers |
Highest paid Kickers | Highest-Paid Punters |
Highest paid Offensive Guards | Highest-Paid Centers |
Highest paid players: Overall Rankings
Highest-Paid Players By position | Highest-Paid Players By team
FAQs About the NFL's Highest-Paid Wide Receivers in 2026
Who is the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL in 2026?
Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks is the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL in 2026. He has an average annual salary of $42.2 million.
How much is Jaxon Smith-Njigba's contract worth?
Jaxon Smith-Njigba's current contract has a total value of $168.6 million and includes $120 million in guaranteed money.
Who is the second-highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL?
Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals ranks second. He has an average annual salary of $40.25 million.
Which wide receivers make more than $40 million per year?
Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Ja'Marr Chase are the two wide receivers earning more than $40 million per year in average annual salary.
Which wide receivers make at least $35 million per year?
Five wide receivers make at least $35 million annually in 2026. They are Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ja'Marr Chase, Drake London, Zay Flowers and Justin Jefferson.
How many NFL wide receivers make at least $20 million per year?
Twenty-six wide receivers are currently set to earn at least $20 million per year in average annual salary during the 2026 season.
How many wide receivers make at least $25 million per year?
Twenty-one NFL wide receivers are currently scheduled to earn at least $25 million annually.
Who is the highest-paid wide receiver on the Minnesota Vikings?
Justin Jefferson is the highest-paid Vikings wide receiver on the list. He earns an average annual salary of $35 million.
Who is the highest-paid wide receiver on the Dallas Cowboys?
CeeDee Lamb ranks among the NFL's highest-paid wide receivers in 2026. He earns an average annual salary of $34 million.
How much does Chris Olave make in 2026?
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave ranks 10th on the list with an average annual salary of $31 million.
How are the highest-paid NFL wide receivers ranked?
The rankings are based on average annual salary, which represents the average annual value of each player's contract. The figures are based on contract data available through Aug. 30, 2026.
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