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Cole Thompson

Where does Nico Collins rank among highest-paid receivers entering 2024

Nico Collins is finally paid, and Houston Texans fans everywhere can exhale a sigh of relief.

Collins, Houston’s star receiver of the 2023 revival campaign, agreed to terms on a three-year extension worth up to $75 million, $52 million of which is guaranteed, according to multiple reports. The former Michigan standout was entering the final year of a rookie contract.

The extension marks the first major internal contract dished out in the Nick Caserio era and another step in the right direction of a promising rebuild. Collins proved his value as a No. 1 receiver last season, hauling in a team-leading 80 catches for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Texans knew heading into the offseason that a long-term deal was going to have to be reached. Collins showed other teams his value as a legit No. 1 option, thus upping his value on the open market. And with another prominent season, the asking price would have only expanded.

Collins, who in three seasons with Houston has caught 150 passes for 2,224 yards and 11 touchdowns, wasn’t the only receiver to get paid this offseason. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Michael Pittman Jr., Rashod Bateman and DeVonta Smith all reached second contracts with their respective teams. A.J. Brown and Mike Evans agreed to extensions with Philadelphia and Tampa Bay, while Calvin Ridley cashed in a four-year deal with the Tennessee Titans.

With all these lucrative contracts being handed out left and right to pass-catchers, let’s look at where Collins’ fresh deal ranks among the top 20 contracts among receivers based on total value, according to Over The Cap.

1
Las Vegas Raiders Davante Adams

Dec 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) celebrates his touchdown in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $140 million

Annual salary: $28 million

Total Guaranteed: $65.7 million

2
Detriot Lions Amon Ra-St. Brown

Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown dyed his hair “Honolulu Blue” for the playoffs.

Total value: $120.1 million

Annual salary: $30 million

Total Guaranteed: $77 million

3
Miami Dolphins Tyreek Hill

Nov 13, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs with the football during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $120 million

Annual salary: $30 million

Total Guaranteed: $72.2 million

4
Cleveland Browns Amari Cooper

Nov 27, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) walks off the field after the end of the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $100 million

Annual salary: $20 million

Total Guaranteed: $60 million

5
Philadelphia Eagles A.J. Brown

Jan 7, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) catches the ball as New York Giants cornerback Nick McCloud (44) pursues during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $96 million

Annual salary: $32 million

Total Guaranteed: $84 million

6
Tennessee Titans Calvin Rildey

Jan 7, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley (0) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $92 million

Annual salary: $23 million

Total Guaranteed: $50 million

7
Chicago Bears Keenan Allen

Dec 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) singles to the referees during the second half in a game against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yannick Peterhans-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $80.1 million

Annual salary: $20 million

Total Guaranteed: $50 million

8
Los Angeles Rams Cooper Kupp

Oct 31, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) runs with the ball after a reception during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $80.1 million

Annual salary: $26 million

Total Guaranteed: $75 million

9
Philadelphia Eagles DeVonta Smith

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 12: DeVonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Total value: $75 million

Annual salary: $25 million

Total Guaranteed: $70 million

10
Houston Texans Nico Collins

(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

Total value: $72.5 million

Annual salary: $24.1 million

Total Guaranteed: $52 million

11
Jacksonville Jaguars Christian Kirk

Nov 13, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) scores a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (38) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $72 million

Annual salary: $18 million

Total Guaranteed: $37 million

12
Seattle Seahawks D.K. Metcalf

Jan 12, 2020; Green Bay, WI, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (14) tries to get away from Green Bay Packers strong safety Adrian Amos (31) in the third quarter of a NFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $72 million

Annual salary: $24 million

Total Guaranteed: $58.2 million

13
San Francisco 49ers Deebo Samuel

Dec 23, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs for a first down after a reception during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $71.5 million

Annual salary: $23.9 million

Total Guaranteed: $58.2 million

14
Indianapolis Colts Michael Pittman Jr.

Oct 16, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) pushes off of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Shaquill Griffin (26) as he runs with the ball during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Scheer-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $70 million

Annual salary: $23.3 million

Total Guaranteed: $46 million

15
Washington Commanders Terry McLaurin

Dec 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) carries the ball against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $69.6 million

Annual salary: $23.2 million

Total Guaranteed: $54.2 million

16
Chicago Bears D.J. Moore

Nov 9, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore (2) argues an offensive pass interference call against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $61.9 million

Annual salary: $20.6 million

Total Guaranteed: $41.6 million

17
Denver Broncos Courtland Sutton

Nov 17, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $60 million

Annual salary: $15 million

Total Guaranteed: $34.8 million

18
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Chris Godwin

Dec 31, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) catches a pass for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $60 million

Annual salary: $20 million

Total Guaranteed: $40 million

19
Cleveland Browns Jerry Jeudy

Dec 18, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) runs after a reception in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Total value: $52.5 million

Annual salary: $17.5 million

Total Guaranteed: $41 million

20
New York Jets Allen Lazard

East Rutherford, NJ — December 3, 2023 — Allen Lazard of the Jets during pre game warm ups. Lazard did not dress to play last week. The Atlanta Falcons and the NY Jets play at MetLife Stadium on December 3, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ.

Total value: $44 million

Annual salary: $11 million

Total Guaranteed: $22 million

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