Will The Detroit Lions Trade For Davante Adams?

Since the Las Vegas Raiders superstar wide receiver Davante Adams demanded a trade this week, speculation has been rampant across all outlets. Where will he end up? What will it cost? While some have speculated teams in the Super Bowl race, like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, they have forgotten that the NFL salary cap is a real thing.

Even with the Raiders eating the dead money remaining on Adams's contract, any new team he goes to will have to eat his 2024 cap hit of $25.35 million, 2025 cap hit of $36.3 million, and 2026 cap hit of $36.3 million. While both of these teams have a need for a big-play receiver, the Chiefs have $4.8 million in cap space this year, and the Ravens have $4.3 million.

Teams with larger amounts of cap space can be found at the bottom of the standings, and may not appeal to Adams. The New England Patriots have the space and a serious need, but it wouldn’t make sense for Adams to replace one losing situation for another. The Patriots fans who think there is a real chance, are the same ones who predicted this team to go 9-8 in 2024.

There is a team in the hunt for a Lombardi trophy that has the cap space and the capital to trade for Adams, and that is the Detroit Lions. Currently sporting a 3-1 record, the Lions have $28 million in cap space this year, $77.6 million next year, and $61.4 million in 2026. They also have a promising young receiver they could send back to Vegas, Jameson Williams. This begs the question, “Will the Detroit Lions trade for Davante Adams?”

Adams played 116 games for the Packers, and over that duration, averaged 8.72 targets, 5.77 receptions, 70 yards, and 0.63 touchdowns per game. Since joining the Raiders, he has averaged 10.32 targets, 5.97 receptions, 77.5 yards, and 0.62 touchdowns per game. If his production has been better for the black and silver, why does he want out?

The answer is simple. The Packers went 84-44-1 while he was in Green Bay, but the Raiders have managed a paltry record of 16-22. Adams may love his stats, but he loves winning even more. A move to Detroit would give that chance and give the Raiders a young receiver, under team control for the next three seasons, likely a first-round pick in the 2025 draft, and significantly more cap space over the next couple of years of free agency.

Would the Lions be willing to part with Williams and a first-round pick to get Adams? Considering the pick would be in the mid to late 20s, and given Williams's potential, the answer has to be Yes. Williams was the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and it’s safe to say he has not lived up to his potential. Thanks in large part to a suspension and an injury, he’s only played 22 games in his career. His 38 career receptions compute to less than two per game.

The trade would give quarterback Jared Goff weapons like no other signal-caller has had before him in Detroit. Adams, paired with Amon-Ra St Brown, Sam Laporta, Jahmyr Gibbs, and David Montgomery would be a nightmare for opposing defenses. Since the Lions are in the NFC, far away from Vegas, the Raiders likely wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on this deal either. Only time will tell now.