The Las Vegas Raiders could potentially land Davante Adams in his high-profile free agency.
While there is a good chance Davante Adams goes back to the Green Bay Packers in 2022 NFL free agency, the Las Vegas Raiders have to like their odds of landing him as well this offseason.
Las Vegas is coming off an AFC Wild Card berth, but is in dire need of a star No. 1 wide receiver. The Silver and Black’s star quarterback Derek Carr was his college teammate and remains a very close friend with Adams from their days at Fresno State. Though Las Vegas is not swimming in salary cap space, the Raiders are in the black with nearly $20 million before free agency begins.
Here are the pros and cons of the Raiders signing Adams in his free agency.
Las Vegas Raiders: Pros of signing Davante Adams in NFL free agency
The pros are obvious. Las Vegas would be getting a Pro Football Hall of Fame-bound wide receiver in the prime of his career catching passes from one of his closest friends. With there being no state income tax in Nevada, it could make things easier to get Adams on the books for the Raiders. Even if there are big distractions in Las Vegas, Adams has long been a consummate professional.
Playing indoors may allow Adams to put up better numbers for longer as his career develops. The Raiders have a rich history at the wide receiver position, so that could be enticing to link up with the Silver and Black. Adams would also be joining an offense with the likes of Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow and Josh Jacobs, all key pieces who do different things to complement his game.
And while it would fracture his friendship forever with his college teammate, Carr could conceivably be traded to the Packers in a blockbuster trade for Aaron Rodgers. The Raiders would lose a ton of draft capital in the deal, but the guy that is getting Adams in Canton would be joining him as the new face of the Silver and Black under the guidance of new head coach Josh McDaniels.
Las Vegas Raiders: Cons of signing Davante Adams in NFL free agency
While the Raiders can always free up more cap space, the biggest issue with signing Adams is this: Are they even the second best team in the division after this acquisition? The pairing of Adams with Carr is awesome, but the Kansas City Chiefs still call the AFC West home. Not only that, but the Los Angeles Chargers are on the rise and the Denver Broncos are only a quarterback away.
Adding Adams presumably keeps the Raiders in the top half of the AFC, which is good for a franchise that has only made the playoffs thrice this century. However, this blockbuster signing does not catapult the Silver and Black to the upper crust of the AFC; they will have to earn that. It remains to be seen what McDaniels will be like as the coach and Dave Ziegler as general manager.
Because Adams is the best player hitting free agency league-wide, whoever ends up landing him will have to pay a premium. That could be Green Bay, Las Vegas or some other franchise entirely. And while the drop-off from Rodgers to Carr as his professional quarterback will not be massive, he is going from a four-time league MVP to a three-time Pro Bowler. It is something to consider.
Las Vegas Raiders: Should they sign Davante Adams in NFL free agency?
Frankly, the Raiders probably finish third behind the Packers and the Broncos in that order in the Adams sweepstakes. Green Bay can use the franchise tag on him, which completely removes the league’s other 31 franchises from the equation. However, the Raiders have an opportunity to get a franchise-altering receiver in free agency. If they do not try, he could go to Denver with Rodgers.
That is the worst situation of them all. If Adams and Rodgers return to Green Bay, then no harm, no foul. Should he truly test the market, the Raiders need to pony up to prevent the Packers’ dynamic duo from linking up with John Elway and company in Denver. Ultimately, the Raiders need to wait and see what Rodgers decides about his career before going all-in on acquiring Adams.
If Adams leaves the Packers, then the Raiders need to be in hot pursuit or he will go be a Bronco.