Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders earn praise for acquring WR Davante Adams in the offseason

The Las Vegas Raiders have a franchise quarterback in Derek Carr. However, he hasn’t always had enough weapons to succeed. That changed this year when they reunited him with wide receiver Davante Adams. Coincidentally, the Raiders earned praise for trading for the two-time First-Team All-Pro receiver.

Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus recently drew up a list of the best offseason move each AFC team made. He thinks that acquiring Adams was the best one the Raiders could make. Spielberger argues that giving defensive end Maxx Crosby a four-year deal worth $94 million was a no-brainer. However, he believes that trading for Derek Carr’s favorite wide receiver at Fresno State will have an even bigger impact.

Extending edge defender Maxx Crosby as soon as possible coming off his dominant 2021 campaign in which he led the NFL with 100 quarterback pressures was smart business, as his deal will surely be surpassed by a few other members of the 2019 Draft in due time. Las Vegas has been proactive the last few offseasons with early extensions, and these deals will help balance the major deals for newcomers, including wide receiver Davante Adams. Quarterback Derek Carr’s former college teammate has been the wide receiver in the NFL over the last four seasons, with his 93.7 overall grade, 432 receptions, 5,310 receiving yards, and 47 receiving touchdowns all leading the way at the position.

Spielberger goes on to say that opposing defenses will now have to pick their poison, as they will need to account for Hunter Renfrow and Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller. You could even argue this is the best skill-position group Carr has had in his whole career.

Trading for Davante Adams limited the Raiders in the offseason

There’s no doubt that Adams will have a huge impact on the Raiders’ offense. Carr, at last, has the No. 1 receiver he’s sorely needed over the last two seasons. Meanwhile, Hunter and Waller will find more favorable matchups. Moreover, Adam’s ability to get deep and stretch the field won’t let opposing defenses stack up the box against Josh Jacobs.

Having said that, the Raiders paid a hefty price for Adams. Not only did they give him a five-year deal worth $141.25 million, but they also sent first and second-round picks to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for the wideout. That left Las Vegas with ammo to address other positions in this year’s draft. The offensive line could have surely used a boost. They selected Dylan Parham in the third round, but they could have also added another guard if they had had extra selections. Similarly, the secondary would have benefitted from reinforcements.

In the end, the Raiders knew that getting a bonafide No. 1 receiver wasn’t going to be cheap. And if Adams can help them once again qualify for the playoff and win a couple games, he will be worth the investment.

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*Top Photo: Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

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