6 WRs on Rookies Deals Who Could Be Free Agents in 2023

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The 2019 rookie class is coming to the end of their contracts. This has led to the trade of A.J. Brown while others, like Deebo Samuel, have asked for trades. Below are six receivers who are due for a contract extension from their rookie deals.

Terry McLaurin

Terry McLaurin has been a surprising breakout candidate from the 2019 rookie class. McLaurin ranks 11th in the league in targets (357) and 13th in the league in receiving yards (3090) since entering the league. McLaurin enters the final season of his contract with Carson Wentz under center and Washington adding Jahan Dotson in the first round of the NFL Draft. McLaurin is a mid-range WR2 in cost in dynasty the past month, it is a good volume discount on higher-priced options at the position.

Diontae Johnson

Diontae Johnson has the sixth most targets in the league since 2019 (405) but ranks 19th in receiving yards (2764). Johnson’s career has been filled with a high volume of short targets from Ben Roethlisberger. With Roethlisberger retired, Johnson will have a quarterback in the form of Mitchell Trubisky or Kenny Pickett, as he heads into the final season of his career. Johnson has struggled with drops, and his team has shown a willingness to let wide receivers who perform on their rookie deals walk in free agency (JuJu Smith-Schuster and Emmanuel Sanders). Pittsburgh drafted George Pickens on the second day of the NFL Draft, which added to the depth of the position. Johnson is valued similarly to McLaurin in the mid-WR2 range.

DK Metcalf

DK Metcalf joins McLaurin and Johnson, as wide receivers who are entering the final year of their contract with changing quarterbacks. Metcalf ranks 10th in the league in both receiving yards and targets since 2019. There have been rumblings of a Metcalf trade over the course of the offseason, but Metcalf remains in Seattle at present. Metcalf is a top 12 wide receiver in dynasty cost at present, despite similar production profiles to Johnson and McLaurin with similar risk factors.