Reports are emerging that Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams is seeking a trade, with the Detroit Lions mentioned as a potential destination to pair him with Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
On October 1, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Raiders are open to trading Adams, stating, “ESPN Sources: Raiders have informed other teams that they would consider trading star wide receiver Davante Adams for a package that includes a second-round pick and additional compensation.” This was followed by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who revealed that Adams has expressed a desire to be elsewhere.
In a weekly buzz column for ESPN ahead of Week 5, analysts Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler discussed Adams’ trade prospects, mentioning the Lions as a potential fit. Graziano noted, “The Jets, Cowboys, Commanders, and Lions are among the interested teams with enough cap space to trade for Adams now.” He also pointed out that the Steelers, with about $10.5 million in cap space, would likely need to wait until the trade deadline or find another way to create room.
Graziano added that Adams has two years remaining on his contract after this season, with salaries of $35.64 million in both 2025 and 2026. However, since none of that money is guaranteed, the acquiring team wouldn’t incur a cap hit next year if they decided to release him after this season.
Considering the cost for the Lions to acquire the six-time Pro Bowler, Mike Payton of A to Z Sports suggested it might not be substantial, given Adams will turn 32 this season and the Raiders are looking to cut costs. He proposed that the Lions could send a 2026 third-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Raiders in exchange for Adams.
Payton explained, “This is based on the Bears’ trade for Keenan Allen, which sets a market for older receivers. The Bears got Allen for a 2024 fourth-round pick. Since Adams is a bit better than Allen, he would draw more. Two day-three picks wouldn’t be a bad deal for the Raiders.”
He reiterated that while Adams’ 2024 salary is guaranteed, the 2025 and 2026 salaries are not, allowing the Raiders to gain cap space through a trade. The Lions would need to manage his $16.9 million base salary this season and consider restructuring his deal for the future, as he’s committed for $35 million in 2025 and 2026.
How likely is it that Adams wants to join the Lions? NFL analyst Brad Berreman of SideLion Report suggests that the team’s status as a Super Bowl contender could influence his decision. “Beyond his apparent desire to play with a quarterback he knows, Adams presumably wants to join a team that can win a Super Bowl,” Berreman noted, emphasizing that if not this year, then certainly over the next few seasons, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding teams like the Jets and Saints.