For the last several years, I’ve been hammering this point that wide receivers could go the way of the running back. At least, at some level. No, receivers are not in danger of losing their first round draft statuses or their big money contract extensions like the dilemma that running back have been facing. But those benefits almost exclusively pertain to only two sets of receivers: Draft prospects and players coming off of their rookie contracts who will get their first—perhaps only—veteran “long-term” contracts.
Only a fraction of receivers who get drafted will get multi-year contracts after their rookie contracts expire, and an even tinier fraction than that will see a third contract.