What could Raiders get for Davante Adams?

Exploring what the return could look like for the star wide receiver

Throughout the offseason, we heard rumors about the Las Vegas Raiders trading star wide receiver Davante Adams. However, Adams was quick to shoot down those talks every time he was asked about it and repeatedly stated that he wanted to stay and win with the Raiders. Fast forward to a few months later and the day has finally come.

The three-time first-team All-Pro has reportedly asked for a trade and the Raiders have begun shopping him.

Naturally, the question arises; “What could Las Vegas get in return for Adams?” So, let’s take a look at a few trades over the last couple of years for wide receivers of a similar caliber and what the teams who are reportedly interested in Adams can offer.

Recent Trades

• Davante Adams to Raiders from Packers for 2022 1st- and 2nd-round picks

Coincidentally, the deal that brought the receiver to Las Vegas could be used as a baseline. Granted, he is older now and a mid-season trade won’t yield the same return, but he is under contract until 2026 and playing at a high level to recoup some value.

• Tyreek Hill to Dolphins from Chiefs for 2022 1st-, 2nd- and 4th-round picks, and 2023 4th- and 6th-round picks

This trade happened about a week after the Raiders acquired Adams, so don’t expect Las Vegas to get anywhere near this type of return for the 31-year-old.

• A.J. Brown to Eagles from Titans for 2022 1st- and 3rd-round picks

Brown was entering the last year of his rookie contract and looking to get paid which Tennessee’s general manager at the time, Jon Robinson, wasn’t willing to do. Given that Brown was much younger than Adams is and this trade was done during the offseason, the extra pick is unlikely but it feels like we’re getting closer to a realistic compensation.

• Calvin Ridley to Jaguars from Falcons for 2023 5th-round pick and 2024 third-round pick

Ridley was suspended at the time which decreased his trade value. Also, he was in a contract year for the one season he was eligible to play in Jacksonville, so this one is a unique circumstance.

• D.J. Moore (and several draft picks) to Bears from Panthers for 2023 No. 1 overall picks

Another unique transaction where Carolina wanted to get the first pick of the draft to take a quarterback, using Moore as a bargaining chip. Obviously, this is a very different situation than what the Raiders are in.

• Keenan Allen to Bears from Chargers for 2024 4th-round pick

This deal might be troublesome for those who are hopeful that the Raiders could get a first- or second-round pick for Adams. Allen (32) is of a similar age and has logged several productive years in his career. But to provide some optimism, the former Charger has an injury history, is in a contract year and Los Angeles needed to clear cap space while bringing in a new regime.

• Stefon Diggs (and two Day 3 picks) to Texans from Bills for 2025 2nd-round pick

Buffalo included a 2024 sixth-rounder and a 2025 fifth-rounder to move on from Diggs. What makes this trade interesting is the Bills didn’t get an immediate return, opting to receive a selection in the following year’s draft. That skews the compensation a bit but, player-for-player, Diggs is probably the closest to Adams’ caliber to help serve as a baseline for what the Raiders can get.

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Interested Teams

Below are teams that are either reportedly interested in trading for Adams or he’s reportedly interested in being dealt to and the assets they have available to include in a deal.

New York Jets

2025 Draft Picks (by round): 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd (from DET), 4th, 5th, 6th, 6th (from KC), 7th

Players: EDGE Haason Reddick, WR Garrett Wilson

New York is a popular destination for Adams given his relationship with Aaron Rodgers, who the organization has catered to over the last two years. The Jets having that extra third-rounder also could play a big factor and help outbid another club. Also, Las Vegas would undoubtedly be happy to replace Adams with a young talented receiver like Wilson.

It’s hard to imagine New York would be willing to trade someone like that away, but Wilson and Rodgers have been seen butting heads this season and the offense also has Mike Williams out wide to form a strong veteran duo with Adams.

Meanwhile, Reddick could help improve Las Vegas’ pass rush. But for a team that will likely be rebuilding moving forward, it feels like a draft pick would be a better acquisition than a 30-year-old defensive end who wants a contract extension.

Pittsburgh Steelers

2025 Draft Picks: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th (from LAR), 5th, 7th (from NO), 7th (from DEN), 7th (from WSH)

Players: OLB Nick Herbig, RB Najee Harris

Pittsburgh is 3-1 and currently leading the competitive AFC North, so adding a wide receiver to complement George Pickens would be a smart move.

Harris could be an interesting bargaining chip since he’s young and the Raiders’ running game needs some help. However, the 26-year-old is on a contract year which reduces his value.

Herbig could be a good edge-rusher for Las Vegas and is only on year two of his rookie deal. Granted, he might be a player the Steelers want to keep around, but the team does have T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith ahead of Herbig on the depth chart, meaning the latter could be expendable if it results in improving the offense.

Baltimore Ravens

2025 Draft Picks: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th (comp), 5th, 5th (comp), 6th, 6th (comp), 6th (comp), 7th

Players: WR Rashod Bateman, EDGE David Ojabo

In full disclosure, Adams going to Baltimore is more based on speculation than a report. The Ravens have spent several years trying to improve their wide receiver corps, so this pairing would make sense if the organization can make the salary cap situation work as it only has about $4.3 million available, per Over The Cap.

Baltimore also has a lot of mid-round picks it could part with. Also, Bateman likely wouldn’t have much of a role on the team if Adams is added, and picking up a 24-year-old receiver is something the Raiders should be interested in. Bateman is also under contract through 2026, making him more valuable for the Silver and Black.

New Orleans Saints

2025 Draft Picks: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th (comp)

Players: WR A.T. Perry, CB Paulson Adebo

Reuniting with Derek Carr in The Big Easy is on the table for the former Fresno State Bulldog. Granted, this would take some salary cap magic since the Saints have about $2.8 million of cap space. But, that’s what general manager Mickey Loomis has become famous for over the years.

However, the Saints don’t have many picks to offer especially compared to the other teams listed above. Tossing in Adebo could help as he’s been a good corner over the last few seasons, but he’s also on a contract year.

Perry could add some potential to the Raiders’ receiving corps after finishing his rookie season strong last year, however, he hasn’t played in 2024 yet.