NFL Trade Rumors: Trading Las Vegas Raiders Wide Receiver Davante Adams "Not Currently an Option"

The Las Vegas Raiders aren't ready to clear house quite yet. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Raiders believe trading three-time All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams is "not currently an option" despite his recent hamstring injury.

Davante Adams pulled up lame in the closing minutes of the Raiders’ practice Thursday, grabbing his hamstring with an injury that is expected to sideline the star wide receiver on a week-to-week basis, per league sources.https://t.co/3zWmEkopWQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 29, 2024

Adams missed the Raiders' Week 4 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns due to a hamstring injury suffered in practice on Thursday. He is considered week-to-week.

Adams has been the subject of trade rumors dating back to the summer. Many pegged the Raiders for a mediocre 2024 season due to their lack of a clear starter at quarterback and their 8-9 finish in 2023. However, a 2-2 start this year (including wins over the 2023 playoff teams like the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns) means they're not quite ready to declare failure quite yet.

Plus, trading Adams now would be tantamount to selling low on the six-time Pro Bowler. Adams showed steep decline in 2023, accounting for his lowest yards per game (67.3) and yards per target (6.5) since at least 2017. It's very unlikely teams would be willing to fork over similar compensation to what the Raiders gave up to acquire Adams in the first place (A first-round pick and a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft).

There are a few teams who should be desperate for help at wide receiver. The New York Jets are starting former Adams partner Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and are averaging a sub-par 203.25 passing yards per game; Adams helped Rodgers win back-to-back MVPs on the Green Bay Packers from 2020 to 2021. The Kansas City Chiefs could also be without leading receiver Rashee Rice following a frightening knee injury in Sunday's 17-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Still, until the Raiders prove they're not a serious team, there's no reason for them to do any favors for their AFC rivals. The Raiders are still clearly in the playoff hunt, and they'll have a real chance to compete for at least a Wildcard spot. Adams makes more sense as a trade candidate in the 2025 offseason when his salary balloons to an untenable $35.64 million.