Fansided

5 most overpaid wide receivers in the NFL

By Rucker Haringey

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 23: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on from the bench during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 23: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on from the bench during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) looks on prior to game action during an NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers on October 28, 2018 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) looks on prior to game action during an NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers on October 28, 2018 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Larry Fitzgerald

Unlike the other players on this list, Larry Fitzgerald doesn’t need to do anything else on a football field to secure his place in the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, his past contributions aren’t going to help the Cardinals win any extra games in 2019.

The ugly truth is Fitzgerald is nearing the end of his ability to be an effective wideout in the league. At 35 years old, he’s still capable of helping Arizona on a weekly basis, but he’s no longer good enough to serve as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver. That is why paying him $11 million is an inefficient use of resources for the Cardinals.

It would be surprising if Fitzgerald can replicate his numbers from last season even if Kyler Murray proves to be an upgrade at quarterback. If he does, 69 catches for 734 yards and six touchdowns isn’t enough to justify that big cap number.

The good news for the Cardinals is that Fitzgerald is only signed to a one-year deal. The higher-ups in the organization have to hope he’s going to retire at the conclusion of the current season. That’s really the only way his time in the desert is going to have a happy ending.

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