Jets have all the infrastructure, plus more, to become Davante Adams’ new team after a trade

Here we are again. Davante Adams has let it be known to the Las Vegas Raiders that he would “prefer to be traded” and Jets fans immediately started salivating. And why not? Rodgers and Adams would clearly love to play together again and here Adams is trying to get out of his current situation. But […]

Mike Antoniou
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) celebrates with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) after scoring a second quarter touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Here we are again. Davante Adams has let it be known to the Las Vegas Raiders that he would “prefer to be traded” and Jets fans immediately started salivating. And why not? Rodgers and Adams would clearly love to play together again and here Adams is trying to get out of his current situation.

But is it worth the move for the Jets? Let’s look at it from both sides.

Why the Jets SHOULD Trade for Davante Adams

Adams is still one of the better receivers in the NFL. He may not be as dominant as he was closing in on his 32nd birthday, but he is still a matchup nightmare. His connection with Aaron Rodgers is scary. They two were constantly on the same page and think alike based on the coverage they are shown and adjust accordingly without saying a word.

Adams has reportedly told the Raiders he would prefer to play with a QB he already knows and in an offense he is familiar with. Considering his history with Rodgers and Hackett, the Jets are on the short list for those criteria.

The Jets are all in on this season. Everyone’s job hangs in the balance, including those for offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, head coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas. With a failed season (or even a very successful one) Rodgers might decide to hang up his cleats and wait for the Hall of Fame to call in five years.

So, if this is going to be an “all-in” year, then why would anyone hold back. What good is holding on to draft picks for Joe Douglas if he may not be around to use them?

Speaking of draft picks, it sounds like the Raiders are being somewhat realistic in what they are seeking in compensation for the 31-year-old Adams. They aren’t looking for multiple first round picks, or even one of them.

According to reports, the asking price for Adams is a second-round pick. Not too high a price for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Lastly, with Rodgers stating often that he would love to play with Adams again (even if he meant “golf” wink wink) and Adams becoming available for the first time since the two split up in Green Bay, how do you not go after the guy? How does Joe Douglas tell a 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers that he wouldn’t go get his all-time favorite receiver, because you need to hang on to a second-round pick?

Why the Jets Should NOT Trade for Davante Adams

After all the reason I just laid out for the Jets to go get Rodgers, ask yourself this question: does he really make the Jets better? I mean, his talent is great, we know that, but are the Jets really lacking at wide receiver? Is he that much of an upgrade over what they already have? I don’t think so. Mike Williams is getting stronger every week and we already know how good Garrett Wilson is. Even Allen Lazard looks like a decent option these first few weeks.

The Jets offensive weapons are a solid “A-minus”. Does going from an A-minus to an A/A-plus really the difference in losing 10-9 to the Denver Broncos to Super Bowl contenders? I don’t think it does.

Does trading for Davante Adams improve the mediocrity of the play calling? I wrote last week that the play calling is unoriginal and lacks creativity. Adams won’t change that. Let me put it this way, in Major League Baseball, almost every hitter can hit a 100mph pitch if it is straight and down the middle. Being able to make the ball move and putting it where the pitcher wants it is what makes it unhittable. Having Adams is having the ability to throw 100mph. Using him to run a middle school offense is the equivalent of throwing it straight and down the middle. It won’t keep defensive coordinators up at night.

Sure, Rodgers will be happier having his buddy around, but that won’t fix the offensive issues because the offensive issues aren’t at the wide receiver position. They are holding a play sheet on the sidelines wearing a headset.

If the Jets can’t fix the offense, that second round pick asking price seems steep when you think of all of the issues this team could have next season. Imagine being a top-level coach and GM and knowing that you have to come into a situation where you need a new QB, WR, right tackle and several spots on the defense and you only have a first and third round pick to get it done? That doesn’t sound like an attractive job.

Lastly, how will bringing in a number one receiver sit with the Jets’ current number one receiver, Garrett Wilson? We have been waiting for Wilson to take off with Rodgers and we have not seen it yet. Bringing in Adams would certainly bump Wilson down the pecking order if Rodgers can already get on the same page with Adams. What about the development of Xavier Gipson or Malachi Corley? Remember them? Because as of now it seems like the Jets don’t.

This is a move that reeks of desperation and trying to win the headlines. Adams could be nothing but a band-aid on a bullet wound.

Final Word

While I don’t think Davante Adams to the Jets is the home run many fans believe it is, I do think the price is low enough to take a shot. Woody Johnson loves to win the back page, and nothing will steal headlines like bringing in a sexy name like Davante Adams to pair with Rodgers. The fact that there really is no “next year” for this current regime might spurn them into action.

Ultimately, the Jets made their beds by going all-in for 2024 and there is no reason to stop now. I imagine Adams will be a Jet by the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday Night game on October 20th. 

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