The Los Angeles Rams are often one of the first teams that come to mind any time a star player is either available in free agency or on the trade market. As one of the most aggressive organizations in the NFL, it’s natural for fans and analysts to think the Rams will be in the mix for every big-name player out there.
Davante Adams is the latest star to hit the trade block after he requested to be moved by the Las Vegas Raiders this week. The veteran has seemingly grown tired of losing and poor quarterback play in Vegas and wants a fresh start elsewhere.
His next team should not be the Rams, though. Les Snead and the whole front office must refrain from acquiring the six-time Pro Bowl receiver.
For starters, they’re not exactly in a position financially to land Adams and pay him accordingly. Because of Adams’ massive contract, the Rams would need to clear a lot of cap space just to fit him in this year – and then he’d likely want a new deal after the 2024 season.
According to Over The Cap, the cost to acquire Adams right now is $13.526 million. That number will decrease by $986,000 each week because he’s going to be paid a weekly salary by the Raiders until he’s traded.
As of now, the Rams only have $2.58 million in cap space. They could move some things around and restructure contracts to create room, but for a team that’s 1-3 and as injured as anyone, that’s highly unlikely to happen, knowing it would come at the cost of future cap space.
That alone should take the Rams off the list of potential suitors for Adams.
Their 1-3 record should also give Snead some pause if there’s any consideration of pursuing Adams. Remember when the Rams tried to trade for Christian McCaffrey and Brian Burns in 2022, thinking either player would save their season? They probably dodged a bullet on both fronts because they finished 5-12 that year and neither Burns nor McCaffrey would’ve made a major difference in 2022 or 2023.
This season has a similar feel. While they’re not eliminated from playoff contention just yet, trading future assets to acquire a star receiver for what might be a one-year rental is bad business. Adams isn’t going to come in and suddenly solve the Rams’ red zone issues or help with the injuries to the offensive line.
Sure, he’d bring a big boost to a receiving corps that’s missing Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, but those guys will be back at some point and the Rams are getting by with Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington and Demarcus Robinson.
The worst-case scenario would be trading a second- or third-round pick for Adams right now, only to finish the season sub-.500 and miss the playoffs. Adams wouldn’t be happy, the Rams wouldn’t be happy and they’d potentially split after the season anyway.
This simply isn’t a team that’s one piece away from being Super Bowl contenders. They don’t need Adams, especially with Nacua and Kupp already on the payroll. It’s not worth the cost of draft picks or kicking the can down the road financially to fit him under the cap this year.
Snead should absolute not say “F them picks” in this scenario. Keep them picks, Les. Keep em.
