As we approach the 2024 NFL trade deadline on Nov. 5, big moves are beginning to reshape the landscape. Among the first significant deals is the Las Vegas Raiders trading star wide receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets. The move reunites Adams with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, his former Green Bay Packers teammate, in a trade that will likely dominate headlines leading up to the deadline.
Jets Acquire WR Davante Adams from Raiders for a Conditional Pick
New York Jets get: WR Davante Adams
Las Vegas Raiders get: Conditional third-round pick
Trade date: Oct. 15, 2024
With the Jets off to a shaky 2-4 start and fresh off a coaching change, the team decided to double down on their commitment to Rodgers and go all-in on a Super Bowl run. The addition of Adams, despite his recent decline, provides Rodgers with a familiar and elite target to help spark the offense. While Adams may no longer be the top-tier receiver he was during his peak, he still holds significant value for a Jets team looking to improve its aerial attack.
In 2020, Adams led the NFL with an astounding 3.1 yards per route run and 18 touchdowns. Even though his production has slipped in recent years, he remains a valuable asset, especially for a team with Super Bowl aspirations like the Jets. His chemistry with Rodgers, paired with an already strong defense, could give New York the offensive boost it needs to turn the season around.
The Jets’ Perspective
The Jets’ decision to trade for Adams is rooted in maximizing their short-term potential. Their window with Rodgers is closing as the 40-year-old quarterback nears the end of his career. By bringing Adams into the fold, the Jets are making a clear statement: they are playing for now, even if it means sacrificing future draft capital.
Although Adams’ open score and yards per route have dropped in recent seasons, he remains a top 20 receiver who can immediately contribute. For the Jets, this trade is about taking a calculated risk in hopes of hitting the jackpot. If the stars align, Adams could be the missing piece to push the Jets deep into the playoffs.
The cost to acquire Adams—a conditional third-round pick that could become a second-rounder—fits into the Jets’ win-now strategy. Given the cap implications and Adams’ potential to improve the team’s chances in the short term, this deal makes sense for New York, even if it ends up being a one-year rental.
The Raiders’ Perspective
For the Raiders, this trade marks the end of an era with Adams. The team had failed to maximize his talents during his time in Las Vegas, and with the franchise underperforming, it made sense to part ways with their aging star. However, the timing of this deal leaves much to be desired.
Las Vegas could have fetched a much higher return had they moved Adams earlier, but by waiting, they were forced to settle for a lower offer. While the conditional third-round pick is decent compensation for a player in his decline, the Raiders missed out on gaining additional assets by not offloading his salary in the deal. If the Jets weren’t willing to absorb more of Adams’ salary, other teams may have been willing to step in with a better offer.
That said, once the Raiders found themselves in this position, moving Adams was the right call. The team needs to focus on building for the future, and offloading Adams allows them to move forward with additional draft capital and flexibility in their salary cap.
However, Adams shouldn’t be the only asset the Raiders unload right now. The team should also be fielding calls for All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby. While Crosby is considered a cornerstone player for Las Vegas, the Raiders’ lack of a viable option at quarterback severely limits his overall impact on the team’s success. As a defensive force, Crosby can only affect so much on his side of the ball. Trading Crosby, even though it would be a tough pill to swallow for Raiders fans, could yield multiple first-round picks and position the team for a full rebuild.
With the team seemingly on the verge of a significant overhaul, moving Crosby could accelerate their ability to secure premium draft capital, further setting them up for a successful rebuild in the coming seasons.
