Julian Edelman, wide receiver, New England Patriots
Edelman is currently playing out his final season of a four-year deal worth $17 million. That is exactly the dollar figure Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown will now average per year under his new mega-deal.
Okay. Edelman is not exactly Brown, but he is a two-time Super Bowl champion receiver. He also ranked fourth with 98 receptions in 2016 compared to Brown’s 106. His current 31st-ranked wide receiver salary pales in comparison with several pass-catchers responsible for inferior production.
Edelman will be up for a contract extension with the Patriots next year. Even though he is 31, it would be difficult to envision Edelman not remaining in New England for a couple more years to come. If the team won’t retain him, another club will surely appreciate Edelman’s shiftiness and skill set.
Considering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just signed 30 year-old DeSean Jackson to roughly $11 million per year, Edelman could plead his case for a lucrative deal in 2018.