Las Vegas Raiders trade for Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams

The Las Vegas Raiders are keeping up with the rest of their rivals in the AFC West.

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The Raiders pulled off a blockbuster deal Thursday, acquiring wide receiver Davante Adams in a trade with the Green Bay Packers, ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported. The Raiders traded two draft picks, including their first-round pick in 2022 as part of the deal, per Schefter. The Raiders also are making Adams the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL with a five-year, $141.25M contract, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

The Packers now are in need of a wide receiver who can help out newly re-signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who knew Adams wouldn’t remain on the Packers when he signed his new deal, Rapoport reported Thursday night.

Davante Adams: PFF grades and rank since 2018

There have been a handful of players traded after receiving the franchise tag in recent seasons — most recently, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded edge defender Yannick Ngakoue to the Minnesota Vikings in 2020. The 2019 offseason saw a trio of pass rushers in Jadeveon Clowney, Dee Ford and Frank Clark all get moved while on the franchise tag. While not super common, it does happen, and as player movement becomes more common in the NFL, perhaps it will continue.

The Packers will clear Adams' full $20.145 million franchise tag off the books for 2022, and he's now set to sign a record five year, $141.25 million contract that makes him not only the league's highest-paid wide receiver but also the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history in terms of average per year at $28.25 million.

While Adams is undoubtedly the best wide receiver in the NFL at the moment, last offseason, the Tennessee Titans traded a second- and fourth-round pick to acquire wide receiver Julio Jones, who they announced this week they are releasing. There is certainly some risk involved here as the Raiders continue their arms race in the AFC West shortly after signing edge defender Chandler Jones to a three-year, $51 million contract on Wednesday.

The biggest question raised by this blockbuster move is what the Packers will do at wide receiver after officially signing quarterback Rodgers to a three-year, $150 million contract. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is also a free agent this offseason, and perhaps he becomes an option to return. To say Adams was Rodgers' go-to target over the last few years is an understatement, as his 326 targets since 2019 are second only to Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp.