We examined the circumstances surrounding the routes taken by the Raiders and Broncos to upgrade at quarterback in this draft earlier this afternoon. Due to their limited draft capital, there has been conjecture that the Broncos may think about dealing Patrick Surtain. If they so like, the Raiders can also dangle a chip.
Although Davante Adams, an All-Pro wide receiver, has been mentioned a few times previously, Tom Telesco stated earlier in the summer that he did not want to make the wide out available in trades. And if the Raiders really wanted to be in the running to be near the top of the draft, then he would be a reasonable asset to dump.
Adams reportedly declared at a kids football camp that he would leave if he so desired. Even though the former Packers standout is currently 31 and playing for a Raiders team that is going through a change, Mark Davis wants to hold onto him. Davis is rumored to “strongly prefer” that Adams be kept to team with a young quarterback, according to Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post, despite the possibility that Adams may be utilized to assist the Raiders acquire draft capital in order to subsequently move up the board.
Though Michael Penix Jr. is emerging as a possible Jayden Daniels consolation prize, it is unclear if the Raiders will emerge from the draft with a passer positioned to eventually take over for Gardner Minshew. Adams’ $28 million contract would also work better with a rookie quarterback than would Jimmy Garoppolo’s or Derek Carr’s.
This winter, Adams was one of the athletes who supported Antonio Pierce. Although the past rushing champion is no longer with him, Josh Jacobs joined him. Adams’ contract, which has a three-year option to extend, fully guarantees his basic salary of $16.89 million in 2024. There are no promises after this year. Adams will be easier to sell as a result, but the Raiders’ potential acquisition of him will likely decline with age.
The Raiders’ primary gain from trading Adams would be draft capital; the 11-year veteran would cost them $23.6MM in dead money and yield negligible cap savings in return. Of course, Adams’s significance on this year’s squad would be greatly diminished by a long-term QB transfer. Although it was previously thought that another Adams trade might happen this offseason, there are indications that the Raiders won’t be moving their best wide receiver as the draft draws closer.
