The Davante Adams sweepstakes are starting to gain momentum, with multiple teams reportedly showing interest in acquiring the All-Pro wide receiver. Adams, currently with the Las Vegas Raiders, has drawn the attention of several NFL franchises, including the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and San Francisco 49ers.
Given Adams’ elite status as a receiver, it’s no surprise that these teams are looking to bolster their rosters by adding the 31-year-old star to their lineup. However, during a recent appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed a potential dark-horse candidate in the race to land Adams, one that could emerge if its front office decides to be more aggressive in trade talks.
“I’m told the Saints are monitoring [the situation],” Fowler said. “You’ve got Derek Carr and the connection there. You have some other teams involved. I’ve talked to some teams around the league who expect Washington to be a sleeper here. I would be surprised by that, based on what I’m hearing, because they have a young core. But they certainly have a need at receiver, so we’ll see how that shakes out.”
The New Orleans Saints make sense as a potential landing spot for Adams, primarily because of quarterback Derek Carr’s history with him. Carr and Adams were teammates with the Raiders before Carr moved on to the Saints in 2023. Their chemistry could be an asset in reuniting the two in New Orleans, but the Saints are just one of many teams with Adams on their radar.
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One team that could emerge as a true “sleeper” in the sweepstakes is the Washington Commanders. Although they might seem like an unexpected contender for Adams, Fowler’s report suggests that Washington is closely watching the situation.
Despite having a talented young core of players, including quarterback Jayden Daniels, wide receiver Terry McLaurin, and tight end Zach Ertz, adding Adams to their offense could elevate the Commanders’ passing attack to another level.
Adams’ frustrations with the Raiders are becoming increasingly apparent, as his production has dipped significantly compared to previous seasons. Currently, he ranks 29th in receptions (18), 30th in targets (27), 34th in receiving yards (209), and has managed just one touchdown. Much of this drop-off can be attributed to the instability at quarterback, with Gardner Minshew and rookie Aidan O’Connell sharing the signal-calling duties after starter Jimmy Garoppolo was sidelined.
For a player of Adams’ caliber, this lack of consistent production is a far cry from what he is accustomed to, and it’s clear why he might want out of Las Vegas.
Washington could be an appealing destination for Adams, not only because of the potential to work with Jayden Daniels, a rising star in the league, but also due to the overall offensive talent on the roster. Daniels has been off to an electric start, leading the league in completion percentage (82.1%) and boasting the fourth-highest passer rating (107.4).
Pairing Adams with McLaurin and Ertz would give the Commanders one of the most dynamic receiving corps in the NFL, easing the burden on Adams to be the sole focal point of the passing game.
However, the main hurdle for Washington—or any team pursuing Adams—will be the financial commitment required to land him. As Fowler pointed out, Adams is owed nearly $17 million this season, with most of that money guaranteed.
For teams already deep into the season, absorbing that salary might be difficult, especially since many teams do not budget for such a significant addition in Week 5 or 6 of the season.
The challenge will be determining how much of Adams’ salary the Raiders are willing to cover to make a trade more feasible.
Additionally, any team hoping to acquire Adams will likely need to part with draft capital, potentially a second- or third-round pick, to entice the Raiders to complete the deal. The cost will be high, both financially and in terms of assets, but for teams like Washington or the Saints, the reward could be a game-changing player who can elevate their offense.
As the trade deadline approaches and Adams’ frustrations in Las Vegas grow, the market for the star receiver is likely to heat up even more.
With several teams already in the mix, including dark-horse candidates like Washington and New Orleans, the coming weeks will be critical in determining where Adams will land next.
For now, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if a team steps up with the right offer to pry him away from the Raiders.
