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Texas Tech football: The career earnings of notable Red Raiders not named Pat Mahomes

By Matthew Conner

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 17: Michael Crabtree #15 of the Oakland Raiders looks on after catching a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 17: Michael Crabtree #15 of the Oakland Raiders looks on after catching a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 20: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball after a catch against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 20: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball after a catch against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Wes Welker

Wes Welker almost didn’t receive a scholarship offer from Texas Tech.  In fact, back in 2000, he only got an opportunity from Mike Leach’s program after another player backed out of his commitment on signing day.

Four years later, Welker went undrafted in 2004 despite a legendary college career.  But again, he proved the detractors wrong.

Over the course of his 12 NFL seasons, the inside receiver who changed the way the game is played by making the slot receiver an every-down position earned $40,845,098.

It wasn’t until his fourth year that the Oklahoma native earned over a million dollars.  That coincided with a move to the New England Patriots in 2007 when he jumped from $425,000 to $6,100,000.

His greatest year as far as earnings came in 2012, his final season with the Patriots.  That year, he banked $9,515,000 after a season in which he caught 122 passes for 1,569 yards and 9 TDs.  He earned that money too by posting a 118-catch, 1,354-yard, 6-TD season.

In all, Welker earned $960,000 from the Miami Dolphins, $27,615,000 from the Patriots, $11,797,059 from the Denver Broncos, and $473,039 for one season with the St. Louis Rams.  Not bad for a player who almost didn’t get his shot in the college ranks.

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