Just now: A blockbuster trade proposal nets the Raiders a $140 million first-round pick

 

Even though the Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 63-21 in Week 15, the playoffs are largely out of reach. Davante Adams, the franchise’s star wide receiver, joined the team because he wanted to win, but Las Vegas is on pace to miss the playoffs in both of his first two seasons.

Adams will be 31 at the start of next season and is expected to have only a few more years as a high-level wide receiver. If he is unhappy with the Raiders’ current approach, the two sides might discuss a trade to a contending team. According to Bleacher Reports, Alex Ballentine proposed a trade that would send Adams to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 2024 first-round pick.

“If the Raiders continue to struggle on offense down the stretch,” Ballentine wrote in his December 13 piece, “it’s not hard to see Adams wanting to go to a team that can contend right away.”

“The Jets remain a viable landing option.” He might rejoin with Aaron Rodgers in New York. The Ravens, on the other hand, should be intrigued.”

This season, the Ravens are the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and they already have two famous wide receivers in Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. With the addition of Adams, they would have one of the best wide receiver groups in the NFL.

Why Would Davante Adams Be Traded By The Las Vegas Raiders?

It makes sense for Davante Adams to want to move on. Even if the Raiders make the appropriate coaching and general manager hires this offseason, this team is still a year or two away from being a legitimate contender. There are also significant questions at quarterback.

Alex Ballentine explained why Las Vegas should try to receive something in exchange for Adams while he is still valuable.

“For the Raiders, it would be an opportunity to get out from under Adams massive contract while gaining another valuable piece to the puzzle of rebuilding,” Ballentine said in a statement. “Whoever the new general manager is would get an opportunity to draft another guy he likes without having to plan around a player he didn’t bring in.”

When the Raiders acquired Adams from the Green Bay Packers in 2022, they paid up a first and second-round pick. Getting a first-round pick in exchange for him isn’t the worst outcome.

Davante Adams may be hesitant to leave.

Logically, Davante Adams going to a contender would be a wise move. He only has a few years left as an elite player and likely doesn’t want to waste his prime on a losing team. However, Adams has stated consistently that he doesn’t want to leave and wants to help build a winner.

Adams has endorsed interim head coach Antonio Pierce for the full-time job so he likes playing for the coach. If the Raiders give him the job going forward, that might make Adams want to stay. Now, if Las Vegas does solve the quarterback position, keeping Adams is much more appealing. An elite wide receiver is very important for an offense to have. The Raiders could be a quarterback away from being playoff contenders. The problem is that finding a great quarterback is incredibly difficult. This is a pivotal offseason for the future of the Raiders.