Why Ravens Fans Shouldn't Get Their Hopes Up for Acquiring Davante Adams
The Ravens always seem to be linked to big-name wide receivers whenever one becomes available via trade or free agency, with Las Vegas Raiders star Davante Adams being the latest.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Adams hopes to be traded to the New York Jets, where he would be reunited with former teammate Aaron Rodgers. However, Rapoport said Adams hasn't discounted playing for other teams, and the Ravens might be among them.
"In fact, according to sources informed of Adams' thinking, he is open to playing for several other teams," Rapoport wrote. "The New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys and perhaps the San Francisco 49ers are among teams that either have inquired about the six-time Pro Bowler or are places Adams would be happy landing."
While the thought of Adams joining quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry is enticing, it's probably a longshot.
"Look, this is probably an unlikely partnership," The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec wrote. "The Ravens needed to do several contract restructures a few weeks ago to even get cap compliant, and GM Eric DeCosta has been forthcoming about how difficult it would be to add another significant contract anytime soon."
The Baltimore Sun’s Brian Wacker expressed a similar opinion.
"The biggest hurdle that would prevent the Ravens from landing Adams is financial," Wacker wrote. "Baltimore is already tight on salary cap space, with just $4.3 million in room, per Over The Cap. Adams, meanwhile, would immediately count $13.5 million against the cap, a number that will decline with each passing week down to $8.6 million at the [Nov. 5] trade deadline.
"That means the Raiders would likely have to eat some of his remaining salary and the Ravens would need to extend his deal, which currently includes $36 million and $37 million due in 2025 and 2026, respectively. That's a lot for a player who will turn 32 in December."
While Adams is still one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, Zrebiec believes he might not be a good fit for the Ravens' offense.
"Baltimore also is a run-first team that's barely getting the ball to the top pass catchers currently on its roster. (Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews have four combined catches over the past two weeks.)," Zrebiec wrote. "So it's fair to be skeptical that they'd get enough bang for their buck by adding another target, even one as good as Adams."
Wacker wrote: "Simply put, Adams is a player who demands the ball. … The Ravens already have enough hands to feed between Flowers, Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Rashod Bateman, so adding Adams to the mix would only make that more difficult. And now that they've started to lean into their running game with Jackson only throwing the ball 18 and 15 times the past two weeks, adding a receiver who publicly calls for targets would be problematic."
Back in January, Adams told Sirius XM's Amber Theoharis that he would take less statistical production to play with Jackson.
All that said, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Ravens at least considered the possibility of trading for Adams.
"DeCosta loves to throw his hat in the ring when an accomplished player is available," Zrebiec wrote. "The Ravens would need a lot of help from the Raiders (and potentially Adams) to make the contract numbers work, but it doesn't hurt to make a call. And the Ravens are sitting on several compensatory 2025 draft picks, so the compensation shouldn't be prohibitive."
Three Ravens Named to PFF First-Quarter All-Pro Team
With the first four weeks of the NFL season in the books, Pro Football Focus named its First-Quarter All-Pro Team. PFF's Gordon McGuinness selected three Ravens:
Henry
"Henry has averaged 6.0 yards per carry in his first four games with the Ravens, and his 17 forced missed tackles are tied for third in the NFL this season."
TE Isaiah Likely
"While much of the attention will be on Likely becoming the Ravens' top receiving target at tight end, largely due to his big Week 1 performance, he earns a spot on the PFF Q1 All-Pro team for his blocking ability, as well. His skill in blocking on the move has earned him an 84.1 PFF run-blocking grade, the highest at his position this season."
CB Marlon Humphrey
"Humphrey's 75.3 PFF coverage grade ranks 15th among cornerbacks, but he has been one of the most impressive players in the league at preventing separation, posting a 66.10% Lockdown Percentage through four weeks. He's also moved around the Ravens defensive backfield, with 94 of his 242 snaps coming in the slot."
On a side note, Henry and Likely have received additional accolades.
Henry, the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, is No. 1 on NFL analyst Maurice Jones-Drew’s top 15 running backs list at the quarter mark of the season.
"It took all of one play for Henry to take over Sunday night," Jones-Drew wrote. "On the Ravens' first offensive snap, the veteran running back hit a hole on the right side and went untouched for 87 yards to the house, reaching a max speed of 21.29 mph -- tied for the fourth-fastest speed by a ball-carrier this season, and Henry's eighth-fastest speed since 2018, according to Next Gen Stats. Henry owned the Bills defense all night long, racking up a whopping 199 yards on 24 carries (8.3 yards per attempt) while adding a receiving score on a 5-yard connection with Lamar Jackson. (He nearly went for the hat trick, too, but fumbled at the goal line; it was recovered by Patrick Ricard for a TD.) What a night for the King and the Ravens."
Likely was named one of the league's most improved players by PFF.
"Likely flashed growth in his second year, but his third pro season has cemented him as one of the more skilled tight ends in football," PFF's Bradley Locker wrote. "The 24-year-old has the highest PFF overall grade (85.9) at his position, with a sizeable advantage over Brock Bowers (78.6) in second place.
"The Coastal Carolina product has turned into a reliable deep threat for Lamar Jackson, especially with Mark Andrews (six catches so far) yet to find his footing. Likely's 9.4-yard average depth of target ranks third among all tight ends. Additionally, he has added additional yards after the catch to his toolkit, turning in 7.8 per reception this season. What's also encouraging is that Likely has yet to drop one of his 18 targets after finishing both of his first two years with drop rates above 10%."
Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy Ranked Among PFF's Top 10 Pass Rushers
One of the biggest questions about the Ravens heading into the season was their pass rush, but they have two of PFF's top 10 pass rushers heading into Week 5.
Odafe Oweh is ranked eighth and veteran Kyle Van Noy is No. 9.
"Oweh and the Ravens' defense completely shut down Josh Allen and the previously undefeated Bills on Sunday Night Football," PFF's Ryan Smith wrote. "He ranks seventh with a 20.6% pass-rush win rate through four weeks.
"Van Noy continues to play at a high level in his 11th NFL season. His 92.5 PFF pass-rush grade was tops among all players in Week 4. He had the play of the game for the Ravens on defense, forcing a fumble on a trick play in the third quarter."
Pat McAfee, J.J. Watt Applaud Ravens Fans
The Ravens are deservedly getting their flowers from the national media after Sunday night's dominant win over the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium, but ESPN's Pat McAfee and former All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt praised Ravens fans as well.
"Their fans don't get enough credit for being a tenacious squad out there," McAfee said. "They talk [smack]. They're loud. They get it. Smart football fans. They know when, they know how. They know what is going to get under some people's skin."
Watt agreed that the Ravens have an underrated fan base.
"It's a great place to play. Phenomenal fan base," Watt said.
Quick Hits
Yesterday's Most Read: News & Notes: John Harbaugh Gives Update on Keaton Mitchell's Return
- The Ravens' offensive line was named the best offensive line of Week 4 by former NFL center A.Q. Shipley on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
