The Detroit Lions have worries about their wide receivers. Heading into the 2024 season, the squad has a legitimate shot at winning the Super Bowl. The Lions’ depth is shaky, but so are their starters.
Detroit’s No. 2 wide receiver, Jameson Williams, is unproven after two years in the NFL. Kalif Raymond is currently slated to be the primary outside wide receiver, but he isn’t your prototypical X. Head coach Dan Campbell prefers not to play him too many snaps so he can do other things.
Ian Valentino of The 33rd Team proposed a trade in which the Lions would acquire wide receiver Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders in return for Williams and a 2025 second-round choice.
Here’s Valentino’s thoughts on the proposal:
Despite his advanced age, Adams remains an incredible talent. Despite spending the last two years in Las Vegas, he has four consecutive seasons with 1,100 yards and eight or more touchdowns.
We need to keep Adams from playing in Vegas for another year, and Detroit’s explosive offense is the greatest way to make the most of his career. Detroit’s financial situation is healthy enough to absorb Adams’ $16 million base salary for now, and small adjustments in the future make this a reasonable agreement. He has no guaranteed money beyond this season, so a reworking might make his contract more attractive.
In exchange, the Raiders save $17.5 million in 2024, and greater than $36 million in 2025 and 2026. Investing in Jameson Williams is key to completing this transaction successfully.
This trade does not address the Lions’ depth issues behind the starters, but it is the type of win-now move Detroit should consider. Granted, losing a second-round pick is never ideal, but no one will mind if Adams, who is a much more reliable option than Williams, helps Detroit win the Super Bowl.
Adams had a bad season in 2023, but it was neither his fault or due to decline. The 31-year-old had a dreadful quarterback scenario, as he caught passes from Jimmy Garoppolo and Aidan O’Connell, a rookie.
Even so, Adams caught 103 passes for 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns. Adams has two more years on his contract, making him more than just a rental player. However, with no guaranteed money remaining over those two years, the Lions would most certainly have to modify his contract to make him happy.
While the Raiders are unlikely to deal Adams before the start of the season, this is an offer that they should consider. A second-round pick, a talented receiver like Williams, and additional cap space are an ideal mix for a Las Vegas team with a new general manager in Tom Telesco, who must focus on the future, which is unlikely to involve Adams.
