Davante Adams to the Jets

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertOctober 16, 2024
© USA TODAY Sports

Davante Adams’ tenure as a Raider came to a close Tuesday afternoon when Las Vegas shipped the All-Pro WR to the New York Jets. The move, while somewhat expected, could bolster a stagnant Jets’ offense as they look to keep pace with the Buffalo Bills (who acquired a WR of their own Tuesday) in the AFC East.

The Trade Compensation

The Raiders received a 2025 3rd round pick from New York (currently projected as pick #75), but the pick can become a 2025 2nd rounder if Davante Adams is named an All-Pro in 2024 OR Davante Adams is on the active roster for an AFC Championship Game or Super Bowl in 2024.

The Jets pick up the remainder of the Adams contract, which by default comes over as:

2024: $11,590,000
2025: $36,250,000
2026: $36,250,000

For cap purposes, the Jets processed a simple base salary conversion on the remainder of Adams’ 2024 salary, adding two void years to the contract, which now reflects as:

2024: $3,227,333
2025: $38,340,666
2026: $38,340,666
2027: $2,090,666 (voidable)
2028: $2,090,666 (voidable)

The Raiders Outlook

With this trade, Las Vegas gets out from under the remaining $11.6M of cap/cash in 2024, while also freeing up $28.4M of 2025 cap space in the process.

The Raiders now boast around $108M of projected cap space next year, 4th most in the NFL, plus 10 draft picks for 2025 currently. Exactly which direction the organization will take going forward remains to be seen, especially as it pertains to the QB position. Left Tackle Kolton Miller will be entering a contract year in 2025, DE Maxx Crosby will be entering the non-guaranteed portion of his contract, and much of the WR room will be on the roster bubble heading toward next March.

For all intents and purposes, the only impactful contract on the books in terms of future guarantees belongs to DL Christian Wilkins, who will see nearly $55M of his salary over the next two seasons become fully guaranteed on March 13th.

The Jets Outlook

It’s no secret that Adams & QB Aaron Rodgers have a long history of A+ chemistry. But how that will fit into the cast of current characters remains to be seen. Rodgers & Garrett Wilson have begun to make strides in their connectivity of late, and the idea of New York possessing that two-headed monster in the passing game has to have opposing defenses raising eyebrows.

Here’s one thing we do know for sure: Regardless of the output on the field over the next 12 weeks, Adams won’t remain in this current contract next season. The salary cap conversion processed yesterday only added $8.3M of dead cap to the contract for the 2025 season. So in the worst case scenario, the Jets cut ties and take on that hit to move forward.

But if all goes well, and Rodgers decides to continue his career past the 2024 season, what might a renegotiated contract for Davante Adams look like? Mike Evans seems to be the best place to start with this conversation.

Evans locked in a 2 year, $41M contract to return to Tampa Bay last March, a deal that included $29M fully guaranteed at signing. His $20.5M APY represents 8% of the 2024 salary cap. If we project that forward into 2025, we’re talking about an APY at or around the $22M mark. So a 2 year, $44M extension, $32M guaranteed, is a pretty strong starting point for where Adams and the Jets may be headed in the coming months. Assuming all goes well.

Oh and by the way: Garrett Wilson becomes extension-eligible for the first time after 2024, currently projecting toward a 3 year, $70M deal in our system.

Trade Grades & Who Won?

No.


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