The Washington Commanders’ trade for Deebo Samuel addressed their clear need for a top-tier wide receiver, but one beat reporter suggests the team should still pursue another All-Pro wide receiver.
The Jets are planning to trade him, but they’ll release the 32-year-old if no deal can be reached. That’s according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who reported “this is a process that’s going to go on the next couple of days.”
Things are going to move quickly, but The Washington Post’s Sam Fortier already believes “If the Jets release him, the Commanders should be in on Davante Adams.”
Acquiring Adams would be a major win for the Commanders, especially after they traded a fifth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for Samuel on March 1. Adding another top receiver would give promising young quarterback Jayden Daniels one of the most talented receiving groups in the NFL.
While pursuing Adams offers high potential rewards, the Commanders must consider the costs involved and how offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury would integrate both Samuel and Adams into an offense that already features star receiver Terry McLaurin.
Davante Adams Cost a Risk for Commanders
Adams is a top candidate for trade or release due to his hefty cap hit of $38,340,666, according to Spotrac.com. For the Commanders, restructuring a deal with Adams would be the ideal outcome, especially considering the anticipated long-term costs associated with keeping Samuel.
General manager Adam Peters has already been warned against extending Samuel’s contract beyond the 2025 season. Paying Samuel’s full $17.5 million salary this year takes a chunk out of the Commanders’ $83,710,623 in cap space.
However, Adams could be worth taking on some of those costs, as he remains an All-Pro caliber receiver despite a down year with the Jets and Las Vegas Raiders. He still averaged 12.7 yards per reception, the third-highest of his career. His 71-yard touchdown catch against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15 demonstrated that he can still stretch the field effectively.
Adams offers more versatility than McLaurin, who typically excels outside the numbers, while Adams is a matchup nightmare both on the perimeter and between the hashmarks.
However, Samuel brings a similar dynamic. His addition already provided the Commanders with the talent boost they needed for Daniels’ primary receiving corps.
Given these factors, the money spent on Adams might be better allocated to other areas.
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