Ranking Davante Adams fits from a fantasy football perspective after trade request

What’s going on in Sin City?

Apparently there is a discrepancy between Davante Adams and the Las Vegas Raiders. The star wide receiver has been the subject of constant trade rumors since joining the team in 2022. And to be fair, he continues to do his part to downplay the outside noise, as his latest example shows Up & Adams Look. However, head coach Antonio Pierce may have inadvertently caused chaos with his recent social media activity.

Whether Pierce was trolling or confirming the inevitable, he liked a post about Adams, who was reportedly already playing his final snap as a Raider. Remarkably, this comes just days after rumors surfaced that a possible split was on the horizon.

From a financial and logistical standpoint, it makes sense for the Raiders to move Adams sooner rather than later. Given his age (31), rising salaries in 2025 and 2026, and the state of the franchise, both sides could benefit from a fresh start. Intel of the Las Vegas Review-Journal Vincent Bonsigore points out that there is some kind of mutual understanding.

Bonsignore notes that the Raiders have “become more open to the idea” of dealing Adams. Additionally, Las Vegas has even reached out to other clubs to “gauge interest” in the six-time Pro Bowler. From the sounds of it, things get heated up quickly.

While Adams is currently dealing with a week-to-week hamstring injury, he will undoubtedly attract significant attention in the trade market. Still one of the best wideouts in the NFL, the 11-year pro will immediately become the top receiver option on numerous rosters. But from a fantasy football perspective, managers aren’t worried about the real prospects of his potential next target — they’re worried about his WR1 prospects. However, what would be the best landing spot?

Below, we rank eight plausible candidates for Adams based on the fantasy potential they offer.

A trio of Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and Adams would certainly be fun and unstoppable. Nonetheless, the Ravens are the second-strongest team in football, which limits the imagination of every pass catcher in Baltimore.

Since Baltimore has the highest scoring backfield duo in the league, it makes sense to focus on the rushing attack. Could the arrival of Adams be enough to prompt them to change their offensive philosophy and adopt a more balanced approach? That remains unclear. Regardless, he would be the best receiver Jackson has ever had.

Veteran tight end Mark Andrews has been Jackson’s preferred target for years. Unfortunately, he finds it difficult to refute the trite accusations. With that in mind, Adams’ biggest competition in terms of looks would be 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers, who had a limited route tree as a rookie. It’s been more of the same for the latter in year two so far, with Baltimore often feeding him near the line of scrimmage.

Like the Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers want to establish the run early and often. Still, after moving past Adams’ well-documented offseason search for an alpha receiver, they may need to adjust their game plan accordingly.

In this scenario, Adams immediately takes over from George Pickens as the front-runner in Pittsburgh. He would provide Justin Fields (or Russell Wilson) with a reliable receiver who can win in any area of ​​the field.

The Steelers are lacking in talented playmakers, so Adams would undoubtedly be by far the best and most established offensive player. Fields has shown he is capable of supporting a WR1, if DJ Moore’s breakthrough WR6 campaign last year is any indication.

A theme is developing here. Much like Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the Los Angeles Chargers have a penchant for hitting the rock and don’t have a No. 1 receiver. Whatever the case, they have something the Steelers and Ravens don’t: Justin Herbert.

Herbert is a gifted pigskin thrower. His remarkable arm talent is arguably unmatched. But his skills will be wasted in 2024 by the Chargers, who are relying on rookie second-rounder Ladd McConkey as their primary pass catcher. Add Adams and form one of the best quarterback-receiver pairings in the league.

Last season, Herbert was the catalyst for veteran wideout Keenan Allen, who finished as the overall WR3 on a PPR points per game basis. Even though it was under a different coaching staff, we’d bet the gunslinger knows how to maximize Adams.

A few weeks ago that seemed far-fetched. But the Washington Commanders are atop the NFC at 3-1 and have proven the naysayers wrong so far. Their impressive, if surprising, start to the season is largely due to first-year quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Through four games, Daniels has looked like a standout player who will change the Commanders franchise for the better. Since he is on a rookie contract, Washington can get a receiver like Adams if needed.

Daniels leads the NFL in Expected Points Added (EPA) per dropback. His extremely efficient play would undeniably be a boon to Adams’ fantasy value.

Adams and All-Pro CeeDee Lamb would form the most dangerous receiving tandem in football. But would it be more of a Batman and Robin situation or a 1A/1B thing? Whatever the case, there is still room for both in this Dallas Cowboys offense.

Dallas ranks first in passing percentage. However, their pass catchers behind Lamb are suspect.

Jake Ferguson is a solid tight end. However, it is not suitable to be the second option for an air attack with the aim of competing. Undoubtedly, Dak Prescott would welcome Adams with open arms.

Another aspect that would be a positive for Adams in Dallas is that the Cowboys have a struggling and injury-plagued defensive unit. As a result, the team will likely feature in multiple gunfights and fantasy-friendly environments.

They knew this topic would come up at some point.

The New York Jets have been linked to Adams virtually since the arrival of his former longtime quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Together, at the peak of their powers, they were one of the greatest duos in recent memory.

Rodgers wasn’t shy about expressing interest in a reunion (nor was Adams). Could we finally see this come to fruition?

Aside from Garrett Wilson, who doesn’t appear to be on the same page as Rodgers, Adams would have little competition for targets. His good rapport with the signal-caller would make the transition as seamless as possible and maintain his edge as a WR1.

Josh Allen is thriving with a makeshift supporting cast led by a second-year tight end and a 2022 fifth-round receiver. Imagine what someone like Adams could do for the Buffalo Bills’ franchise passer.

The Bills were predominantly a run-first team under offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Ultimately, the talented combination of Allen and Adams would prevail, providing plenty of fantasy experiences for everyone involved.

We saw Stefon Diggs record four consecutive seasons of at least 100 receptions, 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns during his time as Allen’s best weapon. That seems like a more than reasonable 17-game pace for Adams should he land in Buffalo.

With Rashee Rice’s outlook for the rest of the season in question, what better way to replace him than Adams? The latter’s ability to dominate as a short- to medium-distance runner fits perfectly with the way Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid have used the former. Plus, teaming up with the best quarterback and offensive mastermind in football helps.

Rice essentially filled the typical Travis Kelce role for the Chiefs. Adams can do the same if given the chance, perhaps even better.