The biggest free agent on the open market could be former New York Jets receiver Davante Adams. The Jets released the 32-year-old after being unable to trade him, which means any team can sign him during the free agency period.
Adams’ production has dipped in recent years, but he’s still one of the best pure receivers in the NFL. He tallied his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2024 after splitting time between the Jets and Las Vegas Raiders. Adams also had eight touchdowns this past year.
Now that he’s an unrestricted free agent, Adams could be a target for the Los Angeles Rams. He’s reportedly interested in a return to the West Coast, where he’s from and played college football. The Rams also need receivers with Cooper Kupp, who is expected to be moved, and Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell expected to hit free agency themselves.
Should the Rams sign Adams? Let’s explore the pros and cons.
Pro: A highly-productive veteran pass-catcher
Age aside, Adams is still an elite receiver in the NFL. He’s averaged more than 10 yards per catch in 10 of his 11 NFL seasons and has 11,844 career receiving yards and 103 receiving touchdowns. He would immediately fit in as a do-it-all receiver in the Rams’ offense with Matthew Stafford under center and complement Puka Nacua well on the outside.
Con: Cost of a new contract
Adams’ price is part of the reason he’s a free agent. The Jets saved nearly $30 million by releasing Adams with his impending cap hit of $38.2 million. While it wouldn’t cost the number to sign Adams as a free agent, he would likely look for another big payday as his career wanes.
The Rams have the money, but still have to finalize the new Stafford and Alaric Jackson deals. They’re also getting rid of Kupp because of his near-$30 million cap hit in 2025. It’s unclear if the Rams would want to replace an aging and expensive receiver with another, unless they believe Adams’ skillset supersedes Kupp’s.
Pro: Durability
Adams missed three games in 2025 with a hamstring injury, but that may have been more of him just waiting to be traded away than a serious ailment. Before that, Adams missed just one game in three seasons and more than three games in one season just once in his career.
The Rams have had a lot of durability issues at receiver over the past few seasons between Kupp and Nacua. Adams is older and not unbreakable, but he’s been more available than most players at his age.
Con: Short-term solution
It will depend on the contract, but Adams is more of a short-term addition than a long-term solution. He’ll be 33 by the end of the 2025 season and could be looking for greener pastures if the Rams season falls apart. If head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead are looking to provide stability at the position for the future, Adams doesn’t provide more than a stop-gap option at the position.
Pro: Great veteran presence
The Rams’ receiver room will likely be very young if/when the team moves on from Kupp. Nacua is 23, Jordan Whittington is 24 and the Rams could add even more youth to the unit in the draft or free agency.
Adams provides the team with experience they can’t learn elsewhere. Yes, Kupp could have provided that, but Adams is a different receiver who’s played in a lot of other offenses.
Con: The Aaron Rodgers effect
This might be minimal, but Adams hasn’t been quiet about his desire to play for quarterbacks he knows. He left the Packers to play with Derek Carr in Las Vegas before leaving the Raiders to play with Rodgers on the Jets. While it sounds as though a Rodgers reunion isn’t a prerequisite on his next team, Adams may get the itch once more at any point in the year.
Verdict: Go for it
It’s rare that a pure receiver like Adams is available on the market. While signing him likely wouldn’t save them as much money coupled with a Kupp move, he is arguably one of the five best receivers in the NFL over the past five years.
If the Rams are truly going all-in on Stafford in the next season or two, signing Adams is the quickest way to capitalize on that window and push for another Super Bowl.
