One of the reasons the New York Giants’ salary cap was so out of whack when new general manager Joe Schoen took over earlier this year, was because of the high salaries they are paying their wide receivers.
The Giants are playing their wideouts $42 million in 2022, the highest amount in the NFL.
Most expensive WR groups in 2022#Giants – $42M#Chargers – $40.2M#Patriots – $38.7M#Jaguars – $33.7M#Commanders – $31.2M
Least expensive…#Bears – $15.6M#Falcons – $15.2M#Browns – $13.5M#Colts – $13.3M#Ravens $11.0M
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) August 16, 2022
This would be acceptable if they were getting a bang for their buck, but that is far from the case. The Giants are paying 14 players a total of $42.4 million led by Kenny Golladay, whose $21.1 million cap hit accounts for half of that number.
Golladay is followed by Sterling Shepard at $6.3 million, Kadarius Toney ($3.1 million) and Darius Slayton ($2.6 million), rookie Wan’Dale Robinson ($1.4 million) and Richie James ($1.06 million).
Last year, the Giants’ top three receivers were tight end Evan Engram (46 receptions) and running backs Saquon Barley and Devontae Booker with 41 and 40 catches, respectively. Engram and Booker are no longer with the Giants.
Golladay, Shepard, Toney and Slayton combined for just 29 starts, 138 receptions, 1,646 yards and only three touchdowns in 2021.
Most of the other Giants’ units are ranked among the league’s lowest salary cap-wide. The Giants’ defensive line is ranked sixth in the NFL and the highest-paid unit on the roster at over $48 million.
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