It just makes too much sense.
I realize that Davante Adams is 32 and is clearly on the back nine of his career as a prolific wideout in the NFL.
But Adams also notched his third straight 1,000-yard receiving season last year after playing for the dreadful Raiders and Jets. He had 141 targets — that’s more than Jayden Reed and Christian Watson combined last season, which happened to be 128. And that’s amazing in itself, because Adams missed three games.
Adams can still play. He had 25 red zone targets last year with 12 receptions, which ranked No. 3 in the league. He is still an amazing route runner that just knows how to get open.
If I had to choose between Adams and the speculation surrounding a trade with Seattle’s D.K. Metcalf, the obvious answer is Adams. The Packers wouldn’t have to part with anything because Adams is a free agent and is just flat-out better. Most importantly, Adams won’t give you the sideline craziness when he doesn’t get the ball.
If the Packers dip their toe into the Metcalf sweepstakes, it’s going to cost them a second rounder, a fourth rounder and either Dontayvion Wicks or Romeo Doubs. Plus, Metcalf is going to expect nearly $30 million a year, which is a steep price to pay for a wideout that was 40th in yards after the catch last year. (Adams was 14th.)
The whole point of making this move is to add a veteran leader that will help close out games and rack up some wins in January.
“I’m the most coachable guy out here, so if it’s something, anything you see in a route that I run, whatever it is, I want to make sure you let me know,” Adams said back in 2019 as a member of the Packers. “Because I want to perfect it as much as possible.”
Adams knows Packers coach Matt LaFleur and he understands what he’s trying to do on offense. He also knows that he could very well be the No. 1 receiver on a team that is filled with plenty of promise but too much inconsistency.
And that’s why Adams belongs in a Packers uniform. It’s not because he would look great again in the old No. 17 as he jumps in the stands. It’s because he has a chance to elevate this team and make it great. He doesn’t mind run blocking and even though he has a Taco Bell in his house, he still has one of the quickest first steps I’ve ever seen. And with two more 1,000-yard seasons, he will be top 13 in career receiving yards and a surefire lock for the Hall of Fame.
The Packers have to look themselves in the mirror and be honest. How many more hits to the head can Doubs take? What is the long-term health of Watson? Can Wicks quickly forget that he had alligator arms last year with nine drops?
Either way, the wide receiver room needs a veteran and adding a guy that just wants to win, makes so much sense.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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