Fantasy Impact: Adams to Raiders
The Green Bay Packers traded star wide receiver, Davante Adams, to the Las Vegas Raiders in a blockbuster move that will see multiple picks including Las Vegas’ first-round and a second-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft go back to Green Bay, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and confirmed by CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora.
From @NFLTotalAccess: The #Packers traded star WR Davante Adams, who now plays with his good friend #Raiders QB Derek Carr. A look at a wild few days. pic.twitter.com/LtU2t7r2fH
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2022
Sports Betting Impact
There were a few sportsbooks with NFL odds that moved the Raiders to +4000 to win the Super Bowl. That is up from +6000 just a few days prior to the deal. So while the Raiders certainly aren’t the favorites, oddsmakers believe that the Adams trade significantly improved their chances of winning the Super Bowl.
Fantasy Impact
Davante Adams – It’ll be interesting to see what the Fantasy community thinks about this trade. On one hand, Adams reunites with his college QB and friend Derek Carr. They have a history together so finding a connection on the field shouldn’t be an issue. However, on the other hand, Adams is likely to see far fewer targets as a Raider. Adams had 169 Targets in 2021 which was tied for 2nd in the NFL just behind Copper Kupp. Adams 29.7% target share as Rodgers’ WR1 will be nearly impossible to duplicate. The Raiders are rich with talent, Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow will eat into the target share and lower Adams Fantasy value for 2022. Right now, Gridiron Experts has him as WR4 in our WR Rankings, but I think taking him in the first round would be a stretch. I can’t see Adams as a first-round pick in Fantasy Drafts in 2022. While this trade is excellent for the team as a whole, it’s a small setback for Adams as a Fantasy Football option.
Aaron Rodgers – If Rodgers is upset about his favorite receiver leaving, maybe he shouldn’t have signed the biggest QB contract in NFL history. Rodgers signed a 3 year, $150,815,000 contract with the Pack, including a $40,800,000 signing bonus. Rodgers’ monster deal accounts for 13.25% of the teams’ salary cap. That may not sound like a lot, but trying to get 53 players under a $208.2 million salary cap is difficult, and one of the reasons why the Packers had to make this trade.
The Packers need to use a first-round pick and possibly another high pick on weapons for Aaron Rodgers. This is a deep wide receiver class and the Packers could scoop some nice talent if they commit to giving. Rodgers Fantasy value will hinge on this draft.
Aaron Jones – The loss of targets from Davante Adams could be made up by the Packers’ trusted running back. Jones has second on the team for targets last season accounting for 11.4% of all team targets in 2021. Some might be concerned that using your RB to take on more of the workload may burn him out, but AJ Dillon has been rumored to be getting more involved in the offseason. We have Aaron Jones ranked 40th overall in our Draft Rankings, which is a little lower than his ADP, but again, things should change after the NFL draft.
Allen Lazard – I had Lazard last season, I used him often as a flex down the stretch and he was an excellent Fantasy starter on the back half of the season. I think Rodgers trusts Lazard and I expect his role to increase in 2022. Currently, Lazard is Gridiron Experts WR67, but that’ll get updated after the NFL draft. If the Packers don’t load up on talent I expect Lazard to see a huge bump.
Randall Cobb – Despite being a request by Rodgers last year, Randall Cobb had a quiet 2021 season. Cobb is no spring chicken, turning 32 this August, I don’t expect much in added fantasy value with Adams leaving.
