The Arizona Cardinals claim to be open for business with the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft, and the Las Vegas Raiders desperately need to solidify an uncertain future at quarterback.
Trading up in the draft could wind up being a prudent strategy for the Raiders, especially if their preferred quarterback in this year’s class slides past the Washington Commanders, and New England Patriots with the first four picks.
Former NFL General Manager Suggests Davante Adams be traded to the Arizona Cardinals by the Las Vegas Raiders
At least one veteran general manager thinks the Raiders might pull off a blockbuster this season, and Davante Adams’ stay in Las Vegas has been tainted by persistent rumors that the All-Pro receiver could ask for a trade.
CBS Sports projects a trade that sends Adams to the Cardinals, in exchange for the No. 4 overall pick, and the chance to draft the best remaining quarterback; be it J.J. McCarthy, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels, after the Chicago Bears presumably select Caleb Williams No. 1 overall.
Regarding a possible trade deal for Adams to the Cardinals, Spielman stated for CBS Sports, “[That] would grab my attention.”
Despite having extremely erratic quarterback play, Adams is coming off a huge 2023 season in which he caught 103 receptions for 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 11.1 yards per reception.
The Arizona Cardinals appear to be fully committed to quarterback Kyler Murray, which may allow Ossenfort to return to a team that needs a quarterback, like the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, or Raiders, among others.
Spielman writes, “If I’m Arizona, I’m asking for the moon.” “”No” is the worst thing the opposing team can say.
Adams remains one of the premier wide receivers in the sport, so trading him away would create pitfalls for the Raiders and an incoming rookie quarterback but could instantly elevate Murray and the Cardinals’ vertical passing game.
As Pro Football Focus points out, Raiders quarterbacks posted an 81.1 passer rating when targeting Adams.
Dropping the 31-year-old in the Cardinals’ receiving corps, would give Murray the kind of weapon the Cardinals have lacked since DeAndre Hopkins’ departure for the Tennessee Titans.
Last season, it was Trey Mcbride who led the Cardinals in receiving yards, with just 825.
The issue for the Cardinals might be that be that Adams carries a $25.3 million cap hit for the upcoming 2024 season, and Arizona isn’t just one veteran wide receiver away from competing.
Likewise, Adams has a no-trade clause, so he would have to be on board with and approve departing the AFC West for what would become a haphazard rebuild with the Cardinals.
If Las Vegas were to offer Adams in a trade proposal, we’ll learn pretty quickly just how close Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon believe the Cardinals are to challenging the likes of the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams at the top of the NFC West.
