The 2024 NFL regular season is about to begin, and many eyes will be on the Las Vegas Raiders early on. This is due to the situation with standout wide receiver Davante Adams.
He’s been the target of trade rumours since last year, and if the Raiders go out to a shaky start, the speculation will only intensify before the November 5 trade deadline. The New York Jets have been linked to Adams because of his closeness with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but Ian Valentino of The 33rd Team proposed a trade that would bring him to the Detroit Lions.
“Everyone wants to see Davante Adams on the Jets, and the idea of pairing Aaron Rodgers with a familiar face like Adams makes sense,” Valentino wrote in an August 29 essay. “But the Detroit Lions are America’s team right now, so putting the 31-year-old in the league’s most entertaining offence is a better fit. Detroit should go all in, and their WR2 position isn’t up to par for a Super Bowl run.”
In this scenario, the Raiders would obtain a 2025 second-round pick and wide receiver Jameson Williams.
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“Detroit’s cap situation is healthy enough to absorb Adams’ $16 million base salary right now, and then minor trimming in the future makes this a palatable deal,” Valentino said. “He has no guaranteed money beyond this season, so a restructuring might make his contract more favourable.
“In exchange, the Raiders save $17.5 million in 2024, and greater than $36 million in 2025 and 2026. Taking a chance on Jameson Williams is what seals the deal.”
Depending on how much the Raiders value Williams, this trade may make sense.
Is Jameson Williams still on the rise?
Williams was a top candidate in the 2022 NFL Draft after accumulating 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior at Alabama. However, he tore his ACL during the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship, forcing him to miss 11 games during his first season and limiting his influence.
Last season was his first healthy year in the NFL, but he was suspended for four games for breaking the league’s gambling policies. He ended up with only 24 receptions for 354 yards. Williams was known for his quickness at Alabama, but it remains to be seen whether he can still be as explosive after tearing his ACL.
That said, he hasn’t had a typical NFL season, and he was dominant at Alabama. Valentino’s offer includes Williams and a second-round pick, so even if the young wide receiver fails to pan out, the Raiders will still acquire a good draft pick.
Should the Las Vegas Raiders go younger?
The Raiders need to get off to a good start this season. If they have a losing record before the trade deadline, it may be time to make some painful decisions. Adams will turn 32 during the season, and it’s hard to imagine the Raiders committing $44.1 million in salary contract space to him next year.
The Raiders’ decision to go young and move Adams will be determined by how the early season plays out. He may also advocate for a change if the team is losing more games than it is winning. This will be a situation to monitor until the trade deadline.
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