The Detroit Lions are being mentioned as a potential destination for a six-time Pro Bowler seeking a move from his current team.
Rumors are circulating that Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams wants to leave, and the Detroit Lions have emerged as a potential landing spot, pairing him with Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
On Tuesday, October 1, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Raiders were open to trading Adams, stating, “ESPN Sources: Raiders have told other teams they would ‘consider’ trading star wide receiver Davante Adams for a package that includes a second-round pick and additional compensation.” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport later confirmed that Adams had informed the Raiders he “would prefer to be elsewhere.”
‘No Cap Hit for the Acquiring Team Taking on Davante Adams’
In ESPN’s Week 5 buzz column, published on October 2, analysts Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler addressed Adams’ trade situation. Graziano named the Detroit Lions as a potential destination for Adams.
“The Jets, Cowboys, Commanders, and Lions are among the teams that could trade for Adams, given their cap space,” Graziano said.
“The Steelers, with roughly $10.5 million in cap space, might need to wait until the deadline or find another way to create space.”
Graziano also explained, “Adams has two years left on his contract after this season, with scheduled salaries of $35.64 million for 2025 and 2026. None of that money is guaranteed, so the acquiring team wouldn’t face a cap hit next year if they released him after the season.”
Davante Adams Wants to ‘Win a Super Bowl’
Regarding the cost for the Lions to acquire the six-time Pro Bowler, Mike Payton of A to Z Sports suggested that “It might not be too expensive since Adams will turn 32 this season and the Raiders are looking to cut costs.”
Payton proposed that the Lions could receive Adams, while the Raiders would get a 2026 third-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
“This is based on several factors,” Payton said. “One is the Bears’ trade for Keenan Allen, which sets the market for older receivers. The Bears got Allen for a 2024 fourth-round pick. Since Adams is better, he’ll draw more, but two day-three picks wouldn’t be bad for the Raiders.”
Payton also emphasized that Adams’ “2024 salary is guaranteed, but 2025 and 2026 are not,” meaning the Raiders could clear cap space by trading him.
The Lions would take on his $16.9 million salary for this season but would need to restructure his deal for the future, as he’s due $35 million in 2025 and 2026.
How likely is Adams to join the Lions? Brad Berreman of SideLion Report believes that Detroit’s status as a Super Bowl contender could sway Adams.
“Beyond wanting to play with a familiar quarterback, Adams likely wants to join a team that can win a Super Bowl,” Berreman wrote on October 2. “If not this year, then in the next couple of seasons (the Jets and Saints may be less certain on that front).”
