Should Bucs Trade For Raiders Star WR Davante Adams?

The Bucs have one of the most talented receiver duos in the NFL in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

But if a trade for Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams goes through, the duo would become the league’s most lethal trio since Antonio Brown signed with Tampa Bay in 2020. Adams, a six-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler, has been in the news recently as being likely to be shipped out of Las Vegas.

He recently said on the Up and Adams Show that he has not been in contact with the team since head coach Antonio Pierce liked an Instagram post saying he “might not fit in with the team anymore.” He said he had not taken it.

“All I can control is what we’re talking about here, and all I can control is what we do next when this is over,” Davante Adams told Kaye Adams.

With Adams on the trade block, the 31-year-old He has already expressed interest in playing for the Jets and Saints.because he is familiar with each quarterback on the team. He famously paired with four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers with the Packers and Derek Carr with both Fresno State and the Raiders.

If he chooses to go to a new team, The Bucks might be on the radar. As a potential landing site? What would it take to get him? Is it realistic? Let’s break it down.

Bucks gain cap space, draft capital in trade for Davante Adams

Bucs Assistant General Manager Mike Greenberg – Photo by Mike Greenberg

As it stands, the Bucs currently have $11,472,129 in cap space. According to OverTheCap.com. Pewter Report’s Josh Chiepo has looked into the numbers further, saying that if Tampa Bay trades for Davante Adams next week, the cap hit for the rest of the season will be $12,558,333. That would require a small restructuring plan, but assistant general manager and cap guru Mike Greenberg could make it happen.

Quapo noted that Adams’ current level of play, considering his age, is worth $25 million. Add in the surplus value of acquiring him for the remainder of the season for about $12.5 million, and the surplus value of $37.5 million equates to the 43rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

This means that if the season ended today, the Bucks would trade a 2025 second-round pick plus another late first-round pick because the second-round pick would be later than No. 43. means. Adams, who turns 32 on Christmas Eve, will come at a high price. Bucks general manager Jason Richt frequently gives away picks due to the team’s stellar track record in the draft, but there’s no way he would rent players for just half a season. That means the Bucks would have to sign Adams to an extension to restructure his contract with two years remaining, which would likely mean moving on from 28-year-old Chris Godwin at the end of the season.

If Adams has a solid trade market for his services, the cost of acquiring a late first-round pick from a team currently looking to win a championship, like Aaron Rodgers’s Jets, could become even more expensive. be. The Bucks might consider it, and teams are constantly making phone calls and inquiring about players, but this move is unlikely to materialize.

Bucks could win for Davante Adams, but it won’t happen

Raiders WR Davante Adams – Photo courtesy of USA Today

The Bucks are currently in first place in the NFC South with a 3-1 record. Having won their third consecutive division title, they are in a great position to advance to the fourth division. Trading Davante Adams would strengthen the offense and add another dynamic playmaker to quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Adams has been one of the best wide receivers in the game since entering the league in 2014 in the same draft class as Mike Evans. He has 890 career receptions, 10,990 receiving yards and 96 touchdowns, and will be in the same conversation as Evans for Hall of Fame consideration when he retires.

Going back to when the 2020 Bucs had quarterback Tom Brady, their offense was successful because the defense had to account for the historic weapons Brady had around him. That is to say. Adding Adams to the pairing with Evans and Chris Godwin would be a nightmare matchup and an exciting winning move reminiscent of those days, but that’s unlikely to happen.

General manager Jason Richt isn’t afraid to make flashy contracts, but when it comes to draft capital, no matter how good he is, he needs a draft pick to trade for a soon-to-be 32-year-old wide receiver. attaching too much importance to

The team already pays Evans more than $20 million per season. Keep Godwin after this season You end up doing the same thing. addition another Adding an expensive 32-year-old wide receiver into the mix doesn’t make sense long-term. His $36.25 million annual salary in 2025 and 2026 is not guaranteed, so he will likely be a short-term rental for the remainder of the season, which will also come at a high cost.

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers and Raiders WR Davante Adams – Photo courtesy of USA Today

There are already young wide receivers like Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer competing for playing time, and bringing in Adams could hinder their development and playing time. Adding veteran Sterling Shepard to the active roster is the only move the organization will make at the position in the near term while both players recover from injuries.

If the Raiders trade Adams to one of their preferred destinations, the Bucs would be the Jets, who could reunite with former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, rather than the division rival Saints, who would reteam with quarterback Derek. I have to hope so. Carr played together at Fresno State and Las Vegas.

On one side of the token, The 2025 NFL Draft layer is not expected to have as many high-end talent as in recent years.But it’s still an opportunity to add some talented young players. On paper, it makes perfect sense for the team to go down the path of trading Davante Adams, as Richt and the front office have filled the roster with “young bucks” to emphasize being the second-youngest team in the league. It’s not true.