Davante Adams’ time in Las Vegas might be nearing an end.
The Las Vegas Raiders receiver recently requested a trade, according to a Tuesday afternoon report from NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. A deal isn’t imminent, but the latest updates on Adams indicate he soon could be playing for a new team.
Let’s go over everything we know, then offer five potential landing spots for one of the NFL‘s best receivers.
Davante Adams Comments on Raiders Trade Rumors
Multiple reports over the weekend indicated that Adams, who sat out Week 3 due to a hamstring injury, wouldn’t be traded. But the Raiders now are exploring the idea of trading the star wideout, per Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
“A league source with knowledge of the situation confirmed that the Raiders are growing open to the idea of trading Davante Adams,” Bonsignore wrote on the X platform. “The source said the club has begun reaching out to teams to gauge interest in the veteran wide receiver.”
In a subsequent report, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said the Raiders would be willing to deal Adams for a second-round pick and additional compensation.
During an “Up & Adams” appearance, Adams was asked for his reaction to people who believe he’ll never play another down for the Raiders.
“All I can control is this talk we’re having right here,” Adams said. “And then, after we’re done with this, all I can control is the next thing that I’m on to.”
Has Davante Adams played his LAST down as a #Raider? 😳
Adams: "All I can control is the next thing I'm on to." @tae15adams @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/sWU873ha8B
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 1, 2024
Adams was also asked whether he’d heard from Las Vegas head coach Antonio Pierce amid rumors of Pierce liking a social media post about a potential Adams trade.
“I haven’t heard from him,” Adams said. “I haven’t talked to him. So, I don’t really know exactly what the post was about. Obviously, social media is a beast. … I haven’t spoke to him.”
Adams added: “I’m sure you’d imagine [Pierce would reach out],” Adams said. ” … It’s one of those situations where I keep my head down and keep doing my thing. … There’s been no communication with anybody from the team since that became a thing.”
3x All Pro WR Davante Adams addresses his HC Antonio Pierce liking a post suggesting Adams will be traded…
"I haven't heard from him (Pierce)… I don't really know exactly what that's all about."@heykayadams @tae15adams @Raiders pic.twitter.com/xMusj9nMFx
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 1, 2024
It’s hard to envision this story ending with Adams playing another game for the Raiders. The relationship seems too far gone.
In his press conference on Wednesday, Pierce stated that Adams is still dealing with his hamstring injury and rehabbing. He also added that “the rest of us” are focusing on Denver.
Additionally, Adams is reportedly still battling a hamstring injury that forced him to miss Week 4 vs. the Browns and will sideline him this week against the Broncos. Teams are aware of the hamstring issue and Adams could be ready to roll in Week 6 with a new team.
With that in mind, let’s explore five potential trade destinations.
What Are Potential Trade Destinations for Adams?
New York Jets
The Jets make the most sense — and for obvious reasons.
Adams could rekindle his connection with Aaron Rodgers, with whom he’s still close. New York also needs another top receiver to pair with Garrett Wilson, as Allen Lazard is more of a No. 3 option.
My biggest takeaway from conversations with teams around the league? Many involved or have checked in believe the Jets are the team that will get this trade done.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 2, 2024
Assuming Adams fully recovers from his hamstring injury, he could be a plug-and-play stud for the Jets. However, he will turn 32 in December, and his best days are clearly behind him.
Adams still is among the top wideouts in the game, but the Jets would be wise to not overpay in a desperate attempt to appease Rodgers.
Additionally, Adams reportedly wants to play with a QB he knows. His former Packers’ gunslinger fits the bill, as does one other team…
New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr has twice played with Adams, both in college at Fresno State and previously with the Raiders. Following Carr to the Big Easy would set the Saints up to contend for a playoff spot and potentially an NFC South title against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons.
The Saints have a WR1 in Chris Olave, who has totaled 265 yards on 20 receptions with a touchdown but hasn’t yet topped 90 yards in a game.
Adding Adams would take pressure off Olave and allow tertiary pieces such as Rashid Shaheed, Juwan Johnson, and Taysom Hill to settle into their roles.
The Saints started strong this season, scoring 40+ points in their first two victories over the Panthers and Cowboys. They have since fallen back to earth with losses to the Eagles and Falcons, in which they averaged just 18 points.
With the Chiefs on deck in Week 5, the Saints may not wait long to make a move, especially if they dip under .500.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers aggressively pursued Brandon Aiyuk during the summer before watching the star receiver re-sign with the San Francisco 49ers.
On Wednesday, Pittsburgh officially entered the conversation for Adams, with Dianna Russini reporting that they have shown interest in a trade. The two teams are currently in open communication.
While Justin Fields has taken the QB1 job for Pittsburgh thanks to an early-season injury to Russell Wilson, the Steelers’ wide receiver corps remains a question mark beyond George Pickens.
An offseason trade saw Diontae Johnson head to Carolina, and that hole in Pittsburgh’s offense remains. Third-year WR Calvin Austin III, along with veteran Van Jefferson, have tried to fill it but have produced limited results.
Austin popped for 95 yards receiving in Week 3 but hasn’t surpassed 17 yards in any other game. Jefferson, meanwhile, hasn’t seen more than three targets nor passed 21 yards receiving in any game.
Securing another go-to option with Pickens would elevate an offense trying to keep pace with one of the best defensive units in the league led by T.J. Watt.
Buffalo Bills
Perhaps the Bills are better off without a superstar receiver creating distractions for the offense. Buffalo tripped up in last Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but the revamped Josh Allen-led offense looked just fine in the first three weeks.
That said, Buffalo’s top receiver currently is Khalil Shakir, who has 18 catches for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Curtis Samuel (eight catches, 46 yards) has been a disappointment, as has rookie Keon Coleman (eight catches, 126 yards). Dalton Kincaid is a talented pass-catching tight end, but he isn’t a receiver.
The Bills could significantly improve their offense by adding Adams while sending a clear message that they’re all-in on winning a Super Bowl.
Washington Commanders
Now this would be fun.
The Commanders passed on the Aiyuk sweepstakes during the offseason, and it’s fair to wonder whether they felt it was too early to saddle rookie Jayden Daniels with that much baggage. But has Daniels’ incredible start changed the math?
Daniels currently leads all quarterbacks in total QB EPA, per TruMedia. He looks like the real deal and has the Commanders 3-1 through four games.
If Washington added Adams to a receiver room that still features Terry McLaurin, people would have to take the Commanders very seriously.
Baltimore Ravens
Zay Flowers is an intriguing young receiver, but he’s not enough. Not when Baltimore’s second-best receiver is either Rashod Bateman or Nelson Agholor. It would be one thing if Mark Andrews was still in his prime, but he looks washed up, and Isaiah Likely is too inconsistent.
Adding Adams would change everything for this offense. The passing attack could match the upside of the rushing game, and the Ravens could take some of the pressure off Derrick Henry.
Baltimore should go after Adams — and aggressively.
On Friday, Adams took to social media with an odd post to his Instagram story. There was no caption but a black-and-white photo of Edgar Allen Poe. Now if Adams if just a big fan of the Tell-Tale Heart or if he was showing his cards with a not-so-subtle nod to, ‘Quote the Raven, Nevermore,’ only time will tell.
Oh nothing, just Davante Adams posting a pic of Edgar Allen Poe… pic.twitter.com/7Usp4HbHfl
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 4, 2024
Adams added another post shortly after that, which included a quote from Poe: “Believe nothing you hear and half of what you see.”
Apparently we were to believe nothing because Josina Anderson reported she was told there was “nothing going on ” with Adams and the Ravens.
Honorable Mention: Kansas City Chiefs
Everyone’s going to mention the Chiefs, so we had to include them. And, on the surface, they make sense as a destination, especially with Hollywood Brown out for the season and Rashee Rice facing an extended absence due to a knee injury.
But it’s too difficult to envision the Raiders trading someone like Adams within the division. That would be a desperation play, and, at this point, they aren’t backed into a corner.
You shouldn’t rule out the Chiefs, who could present the Raiders with an offer they can’t refuse. But this trade would be an absolute stunner.
Potential Trade Offers for Adams
Many thought the Dallas Cowboys could be in on Adams, but Jordan Schultz reported on Wednesday that the team wasn’t interested in a trade.
The draft capital required to complete any deal for the star wide receiver would likely be too much for a franchise that values draft capital more than others.
Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones shed some light on Friday that Dallas would have trouble in a potential pursuit of Adams. Jones stated that they already had a WR1 in CeeDee Lamb and referenced the cap challenges that the Cowboys have, referring to a trade as a “long putt.”
The Raiders are reportedly looking for not only a second-round pick but additional compensation to get a deal done. That could prove too rich for teams like the Cowboys.
It’s unclear how long the Raiders will wait to pull the trigger on a trade, but with several interested parties, the odds of securing at least a second-round pick seem likely in any potential deal.