Most expensive WR duos in the NFL

The NFL is an expensive business to operate. Many employees make millions upon millions of dollars. Just to get a decent position group together, one could pay tens of millions and fail to get what they paid for. Wide receiver is one position group that many NFL teams are willing to throw the bank at. Specifically, iconic or even promising wide receiver duos eat up cap space like crazy.

While some teams may spend more in total on their wide receiver rooms, those teams that want two of the best may prefer to not pay anyone else well in the position group and, thus, pay less overall. That's why some of the teams on this list may seem unconventional or even surprising. Keeping this in mind, here's a look at the most expensive wide receiver duos in the NFL in 2021, using numbers from Over The Cap, Spotrac, and NFL.com.

Most expensive WR duos in the NFL in 2021

#6 - Tyler Boyd and Ja'Marr Chase, (Cincinnati Bengals)

Cincinnati Bengals v Las Vegas Raiders

The Bengals needed a boost on offense and were willing to pay through the nose to get it. Tyler Boyd is currently playing on a $43 million deal. Meanwhile, the rookie Ja'Marr Chase is already on a $30 million dollar deal, which is shocking. Even before his first snap in the NFL, he was already making veteran money as a wide receiver.

Well, as the Bengals have proved to be a much-improved unit over previous years, the proof is in the pudding. Currently, Tyler Boyd has 44 catches for 458 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Chase has 47 catches, 867 yards, and eight touchdowns through 11 Weeks in the NFL.

#5 - Davante Adams and Randall Cobb (Green Bay Packers)

Green Bay Packers v Kansas City Chiefs

The Green Bay Packers have plenty of star power out wide, with Davante Adams and Randall Cobb working as the right-hand men of Aaron Rodgers. Such an important spot requires no expenses to be spared. Adams is playing on a $58 million deal. Meanwhile, Cobb is playing on a $27 million deal. Combined, the Packers are spending roughly $85 million on their top two wide receivers.

Davante Adams is nearing 1,000 yards this season. He currently has 72 catches for 979 yards and five touchdowns through 11 weeks in the NFL. Randall Cobb has 24 catches for 280 yards and four touchdowns. While Adams is living up to his price tag, Cobb needs to do more to prove his deal is financially responsible.

Most expensive WR duos in the NFL (cont.)

#4 - Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick (Denver Broncos)

Denver Broncos v New York Giants

The Denver Broncos are the newest NFL team on the list, having just given a massive pay raise to both Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick mid-season. Sutton just signed a $60.8 million deal, and Patrick is now playing on a $34 million deal. Between the two, the Broncos are out $94 million.

Over the past 11 weeks, Courtland Sutton has 43 catches for 617 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Tim Patrick has 37 catches for 523 yards and four touchdowns. Sutton will need to pick up his pace to prove himself worthy of $60.8 million over the next four NFL seasons. Patrick has been overperforming on his previous deal, so his payment feels like Denver granting backpay to the NFL player.

#3 - Mike Evans and Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Miami Dolphins v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The reigning Super Bowl champions in the NFL have a lot of money invested out wide for Tom Brady to use. Mike Evans is playing on an $82 million deal while Godwin is playing on a $15 million deal. Combined, the Buccaneers are on the hook for almost $100 million in what is clearly a top-heavy duo in terms of pay dispersion as far as NFL salaries go.

Mike Evans has 41 catches for 606 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. Meanwhile, Chris Godwin is keeping pace with Evans with 57 catches, 717 yards, and two touchdowns. In terms of a deal, it is clear that Godwin has the edge as a grand bargain. Godwin's salary could be updated this offseason as his contract ends at the end of the season.

#2 - Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp (Los Angeles Rams)

Tennessee Titans v Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams are likely the least surprising NFL team to be featured in any ranking of exotic expenses. The team has spent big on quarterbacks, running backs, and trades in the Sean McVay era. Out wide, the Rams have Robert Woods playing on a $65 million deal and Cooper Kupp playing on a $47.25 million deal.

Cooper Kupp could be the best deal in the NFL right now. A third-round pick, the wide receiver is leading the NFL in receiving yards and isn't even the highest-paid wideout on his team.

Currently, Kupp has 85 catches for 1141 yards and ten touchdowns. Meanwhile, Robert Woods is out for the year with a torn ACL. Before the injury, Woods had 45 catches for 556 yards and four touchdowns through nine games.

#1 - Kenny Golladay and Sterling Shepard (New York Giants)

New York Jets v New York Giants

Many look at the Giants as a team still needing help on offense. However, the Giants are clearly trying their hardest to help Jones out after paying Kenny Golladay and Sterling Shepard a king's ransom. Kenny Golladay is playing on a $72 million deal, and Sterling Shepard is playing on a $41 million deal. Combined, the Giants are spending $113 million on their wide receiver duo.

Is it worth it? Golladay has 19 catches for 310 yards and no touchdowns in 2021. Sterling Shepard isn't much better off with 32 catches for 324 yards and a touchdown. Between the two, the Giants are frankly losing a lot of money on a duo that is rapidly depreciating in value.