The NFL world received some big news on Tuesday, as star wide receiver Davante Adams formally requested a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders. As many teams are expected to line up for the star wideout, are the Detroit Lions going to be one of them?
Well, it’s possible. The Lions currently have the fourth-most available cap space, so fitting Adams’ contract in wouldn’t be a problem. From a team needs perspective, the Lions don't have an Adams-sized need at wide receiver with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
However, their options for the other boundary spot behind Williams are shaky, as no receiver other than St. Brown and Williams has caught more than five passes over four games.
Tim Patrick, who is seeing his first game action since 2021, is being relied upon as the third wide receiver. Kalif Raymond, Isaiah Williams, and Allen Robinson have yet to make an impact in 2024, so adding an outside playmaker like Adams would make sense.
Adams has caught 18 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown this season. He has earned six Pro Bowl nods in his career and has been a First-Team All-Pro three times. He's coming off a down season in 2023, but that was more a result of bad quarterback play than anything else.
The Lions have Super Bowl expectations for this season. After falling one game short last season, the team desperately wants to make it all the way this year. Pushing their chips in for a star like Adams would help achieve that goal.
As far as compensation goes, the Lions should be good there, as well. The team has a 2025 second-round pick and a 2025 fourth-round pick that could be used in a package to land Adams. It’s unlikely Adams would command a first-round pick at this point, but anything else could be on the table.
Adams is on the books for $36.25 million in each of the next two years, but none of that money is guaranteed, so if things go south, the Lions won't be stuck with the soon-to-be 32-year-old. If they do want to keep him, the Lions can restructure his contract to lower the burden in exchange for some guaranteed money.
All that said, the Lions are more likely to explore lesser additions to their wide receivers room, barring an injury to either Williams or St. Brown, which makes trading for Adams unlikely.
