How and why the Saints should trade for Davante Adams

This week, it was revealed that future Hall of Fame wide receiver Davante Adams has asked for a trade away from the Las Vegas Raiders. Immediately, it was also revealed that an unnamed NFC team was interested but would want the Raiders to restructure Adams’ contract and ease off the 2nd round pick asking price. This team could be the New Orleans Saints, and their interest makes sense. Currently, the Saints have two main receiving weapons on offense, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. At times, it has felt like the Saints are missing one more receiver to open up the offense. Although I believe Mason Tipton could be something for the future, it may be too early to throw him into the third WR spot. By trading for Davante Adams, the Saints would add a top tier receiving threat who is a willing blocker and has shown no signs of slowing down. For Davante Adams, the Saints may be the best destination to get traded to.

Davante Adams was a former teammate of Derek Carr at Fresno State and on the Raiders. He also had the best statistical season of his career when playing with Carr and in a similar scheme that the Saints are currently running. Adams credits current Saints WR coach Kieth Williams for his success in the NFL. Williams was the WR coach at Fresno State, and he was the person who recruited Adams. These type of links and familiarities are important for a veteran player when thinking of best destinations.

Now that we have talked about why this would be a good trade for the Saints and Adams, let us talk about if the Saints can pull it off. If the Raiders are not persuaded to restructure Adams’ contract, the team trading for the star WR would need around $14 million in cap space, per Over the Cap. After this season, the money owed to Adams skyrockets but cutting him post-June 1 would get any team out of his contract without much dead cap hit. The Saints currently have around $2 million in cap space, so some contract maneuvering would need to happen.

The Raiders are currently asking for a 2nd round pick and other compensation. I do think that price will go down due to the urgency of Davante Adams, so here are some trades that the Saints could offer that could come close to that.

Raiders Receive – Saints 2025 2nd round pick, Saints 2025 6th round pick, and 2025 5th round pick

Saints Receive – WR Davante Adams & Raiders 2025 7th round pick

OR
Raiders Receive – Saints 2025 3rd round pick & CB Paulson Adebo

Saints Receive – WR Davante Adams (contract restructured) and Raiders 2025 6th round pick

For the first trade, this would be closer to the Raiders’ asking price if the Saints decide to meet it. The 2nd round pick may be too expensive for what the Saints want to give up for a potential rental. The second trade proposal would be if the price goes down a bit. The price for Adams is still high in this proposal, but the Saints would be making the Raiders restructured Adams’ contract, which would help the Saints cap. The 3rd pick could become a 4th if the contract restructure is removed, and in the long run, that may be a better trade for the Saints. Giving up Paulson Adebo would be a huge move, but it makes sense. Adebo is in the final year of his contract, and there is a good chance the Saints will not bring him back. Teams will offer more money than the Saints can afford in free agency. Also, If they trade away Adebo, Kool-Aid Mckinstry can be easily slotted into the third CB spot. The Raiders need CB talent, and Adebo would be a great young option. Also, they have the cap space to give the contract he would be looking for in free agency.

Now, let me ask you: Would you want the Saints to trade for Davante Adams? If so, what would you give up to acquire the star wide receiver?