Wide receivers around the league are signing massive deals, with Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin the latest beneficiary.
Source says @DougBaldwinJr signed 4-year extension worth $46 million and including approx $24.25 million guaranteed. Sixth-highest pd in NFL
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) June 28, 2016
A 4-year, $46 million averages out to $11.5 million per year, which is great money for the former undrafted free agent.
The deal also puts the contract for Patriots WR Julian Edelman in a different light. Edelman is under contract for $7.17 million for the next two seasons. His total cash flow from 2015-17 is $13.34 million.
It’s crazy how Edelman is so far below market value.
In addition to the Baldwin contract, Chargers WR Keenan Allen signed a 4-year, $45 million extension and Jaguars WR Allen Hurns signed a 4-year, $40.5 million extension earlier this month.
When we look at value added on the field compared to the cost of the player, we find that Edelman was the 4th most valuable wide receiver in 2015 on a veteran contract, trailing the 37-year-old Steve Smith Sr., Ted Ginn Jr. on a $2.1 million per year bargain, and Baldwin himself.
Edelman posted the 7th most fantasy points per game of any wide receiver which, while not necessarily making him a top 10 receiver, shows how integral he is to the Patriots offense.
The Patriots have Edelman under contract for two more years, pushing a need for any new deal until after the 2016 season. There are far greater priorities with cap expenditure, including retaining over half of the starting defense.
But when ESPN ranks DE Chris Long as the most team-friendly contract, I have to disagree. Edelman is possibly the league’s biggest heist at the wide receiver position.