Davante Adams will miss Sunday’s game as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. His time sidelined has also coincided with increased trade speculation, with several teams showing interest in acquiring the Raiders’ star receiver.
The Raiders are demanding a Second-Round Pick and additional assets for Adams, but according to Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson, multiple league executives consider that price “exorbitant.”
While Las Vegas might agree to cover part of his salary to facilitate a trade, Adams’ non-guaranteed salaries in 2025 and 2026 essentially make him a short-term rental. This is causing teams to hesitate in giving up significant draft capital.
A long-term commitment to Adams could make sense for teams like the Jets or Saints, who have been prominently linked to the 31-year-old receiver.
Adams reportedly prefers a reunion with Aaron Rodgers, but The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports he has concerns about Rodgers’ future with the Jets beyond 2024. Another possibility is New Orleans, where Adams could reconnect with Derek Carr and receivers coach Keith Williams.
While the Jets are seen as the favorites, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the Saints have been the most aggressive in their pursuit of Adams.
However, New Orleans faces major salary cap issues and would need to make several cuts or restructures to fit Adams’ contract both now and in the future. Despite these challenges, adding Adams could be a game-changer in the NFC South race.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Raiders prefer not to retain any of Adams’ remaining base salary, around $13.5 million, which could limit the number of suitors unless the draft compensation price comes down.
Despite this, several teams are still in the mix. The Commanders may be among them, while the Steelers, Ravens, and Bills have all shown interest. Russini notes that Pittsburgh has made an “aggressive” offer, but no deal is close to being finalized.
For Baltimore and Buffalo, a second-round pick is considered too high, with Robinson noting that the Ravens haven’t contacted the Raiders in recent days.
The Cowboys, who are without Brandin Cooks for at least four games, have also indicated that fitting Adams into their financial plans would be difficult. 49ers GM John Lynch has expressed doubt about pursuing Adams, and while the Chiefs could explore the possibility, they face similar financial constraints.
Adams is expected to be fully recovered by Week 6, according to Rapoport. With the trade deadline approaching on November 5, trade talks are expected to intensify, and both Rapoport and Schefter suggest more developments are likely soon. The Raiders have time to be patient and aim for the best possible offer.
