Davante Adams Becomes Part of Elite Rookie Wide Receiver Class

Adams is one reason the wide receiver class of 2014 is entering rarefied air.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams by Jeff Hanisch—USA TODAY Sports.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams by Jeff Hanisch—USA TODAY Sports.

After grabbing a career-high seven receptions for 75 yards against the New Orleans Saints this past Sunday, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams made history.

In Week 8 of the NFL, nine rookie wide receivers—including Adams—had at least 75 receiving yards, the most in a single week in league history.

Adams is one of many highly-touted wide receivers that entered the league in 2014, a class that might be among the best ever.

“I said before the draft that this was the deepest pool of receiving talent that I’ve seen since I started doing this in 2003,” said NFL Network analyst and former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah.

All nine of the record-setting receivers were drafted in the first four rounds of the NFL Draft and all of them within the first 118 picks.

“I think 10 of my top 50 players in this draft were wide receivers,” said Jeremiah. “And this group has more than lived up to the hype.”
 
Adams is becoming the latest in a growing line of success stories for Packers general manager Ted Thompson, who has seemingly hit a homerun on every one of the wide receivers he selects in the second round.
 
Like Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb before him, Adams appears destined for stardom.
 
Through eight games and the season's halfway point, Adams has 24 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns, and that includes a Week 1 game when Adams was still learning the team's offense, used only sparingly and came away with zero catches.
 
Adams is on pace for 48 receptions for 526 yards and four touchdowns.
 
For comparison's sake, here are the season-one totals for the Packers' other recent second-round wide receivers:
  • Greg Jennings in 2006: 45 receptions for 632 yards and three touchdowns
  • Jordy Nelson in 2008: 33 receptions for 366 yards and two touchdowns
  • Randall Cobb in 2011: 25 receptions for 375 yards and one touchdown

Ever since Week 3, Adams has played more snaps in every game than fellow wide receiver Jarrett Boykin, a trend that has continued since Boykin returned from a groin injury in Week 7.

And with tight ends playing only a minor role in the Packers' passing game, Adams' role only figures to grow.

The highlight of Adams' season thus far didn't come on a play he found the end zone, but it did set up the Packers' winning score Week 6 in Miami on the fake spike and throw from quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Despite his relative inexperience, Rodgers placed uncanny trust in his rookie flanker, sensing that opposing cornerback Cortland Finnegan was playing dangerously far off the line of scrimmage.

Rodgers tossed Adams the football, and the wideout raced 12 yards down the right sideline before alertly stepping out of bounds, stopping the clock.

Plays like that suggest there's more game-chaning plays from Adams to come, perhaps soon.

 

Brian Carriveau is the author of the book "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor at Cheesehead TV and its "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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Comments (31)

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DrealynWilliams's picture

October 29, 2014 at 04:25 pm

That's no shocker.

He'll have more than 4 TDs (barring injury)

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Point-Packer's picture

October 29, 2014 at 05:28 pm

He's had his moments when he's looked like a rookie (2nd INT last week), but overall, you have to be excited about the WR position in GB for the foreseeable future. Especially after Cobb is given his long-term contract, which will happen.

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Evan's picture

October 29, 2014 at 05:47 pm

On the 2nd int, are we thinking Adams stopped his route or Rodgers' throw was a little off?

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DrealynWilliams's picture

October 29, 2014 at 07:33 pm

Initially, I thought he stopped.

Either way,I hate attempted 1-hand catches across the middle. They rarely end well.

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stockholder's picture

October 29, 2014 at 05:46 pm

Shows something is wrong with stats. Ever pass is in his breadbasket. During the new orleans game; one interception was his blame. I'll take speed over stats. Cooks ate the packers up! There is no -way adams is that same threat. I still see nothing special in the making. Just another cap casualty in 3 years.

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DraftHobbyist's picture

October 29, 2014 at 06:53 pm

If he's nothing special then he should come cheap, but if he comes cheap why would he be a cap casualty? Your line of logic doesn't add up.

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Evan's picture

October 29, 2014 at 07:27 pm

Forget that...in 3 years he'll still be on his rookie deal, barely making $1 mil.

I guess the cap will be in really rough shape in 3 years.

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NickPerry's picture

October 29, 2014 at 10:09 pm

Hmmmm, Packers WR always seem to do ok. I'm not sure WHAT you want out of Packers receivers but obviously you're a hard fan to please.

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4thand1's picture

October 29, 2014 at 10:51 pm

Its because he's a prick

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Point-Packer's picture

October 29, 2014 at 11:07 pm

He'll hang himself sooner than later due to his constant unhappiness with anything good.

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Lphill's picture

October 29, 2014 at 06:58 pm

Adams is the real deal, just a bunch of haters like COW on this site, Adams is just starting to get his feet wet and people are knocking him for rookie mistakes.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

October 29, 2014 at 07:35 pm

"... just a bunch of haters like COW on this site"

Really?

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NewNikeShoes's picture

October 29, 2014 at 09:38 pm

@Cow
you do realize MM has not gotten a contract extension yet, right?
maybe if he sucks this year, he'll be fired.
and then they might get a coach who inspires his players.
maybe TT isn't as big of a dumb*** as you say he is. *Ryan Shazier*

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Tundraboy's picture

October 30, 2014 at 04:04 pm

Impossible to come around to your way of thinking, Far too negative without a a shred of hope right out of the gate. The game is like life sometimes you never know.

Dont confuse our frustration and venting with coming around. And for the record for better or worse I will be optimistic. Even though MM drives me crazy going away from what works far too often.

So here is some more fuel for the bonfire of pessimism you seek.

He finally uses Lacy in passing in the 8th game,. It was great to see and yet I wonder if he will mothball it for the next few games. I am still steaming that Lacy runs his ass off for 60 something yards to the 3 and we do not score. THAT was more embarrassing then the run D because I never expect them to hold the run against anyone. Still love them though.

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Lphill's picture

October 29, 2014 at 08:32 pm

COW, please stick to your Vikings, be happy they have a last place schedule maybe they will win one more game, Its not the Packers fault that your Vikings are so awful but if you find relief in knocking the Packers and this keeps you from suicide the so be it.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

October 30, 2014 at 02:08 am

Brian omits James Jones' rookie year where he caught 47 passes for 676 yards (yes, I know Brian listed 2nd rd picks only and James Jones was a 3rd rd pick, so what he wrote WAS accurate). Here are the season stats for the other players listed by Brian by round picked:

3) Sammy Watkins: 38 590 15.5
7) Mike Evans: 25 336 13.4
20) Brandin Cooks: 40 372 9.3
28) Kelvin Benjamin: 38 571 15.0
53) Davonte Adams: 24 263 10.96
61) Allen Robinson: 39 453 11.6
90) Donte Moncrief: 16 216 13.5
91) John Brown: 22 316 14.4
118) Martavis Bryant: 7 123 17.6 (2 games)

As noted, Bryant has appeared only in the last 2 games. My understanding is that Moncrief played only sparingly until last week when Reggie Wayne was injured.

I wouldn't bet against TT when it comes to picking WRs, but all of these players are looking pretty good so far.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

October 30, 2014 at 03:20 am

My post was incomplete. There were a lot of WRs taken!

12) Odell Beckham 10 106 10.6 (injured Hammy)
39) Marqise Lee 12 128 10.7
42) Jordan Matthews 29 273 9.4
45) Paul Richardson 7 60 8.6
56) Cody Latimer 0 0 0.0
63) Jarvis Landry 25 255 10.2
86) Josh Nuff 2 16 8.0

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MarkinMadison's picture

October 30, 2014 at 06:39 am

I appreciate the stats. I would hate to see people engage in too much comparison of these guys at this stage. Amazing group of young men.

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MarkinMadison's picture

October 30, 2014 at 06:35 am

I get that Adams is not seeing the top corners, but he seems to have a knack for getting open against the competition he is facing. As a 3rd WR Boykin pulled in 49 balls for 680-some yards last year, and I think everyone felt that was good production for a 3rd WR in the Packers offense. Boykin was a few years into the offense, and the old saw is that NFL offenses are too complex for rookies to shine. I didn't expect to see Adams much this year at all. And he beats out Boykin. And he is producing at a level comparable to what Boykin did last year. The guy is learning but clearly he gets it. Just like Linsley. These guys are learning but they have already proven that they belong, and they will get better.

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Lphill's picture

October 30, 2014 at 07:17 am

Excelent post Mark. If not for the injury to Boykin ,Adams may not have seen any playing time yet, so it's trial by fire but he is a keeper for sure.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

October 30, 2014 at 08:00 am

I don't know about that 1. Even when healthy Boykin didn't show much.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 30, 2014 at 07:20 am

This was a great year for WR's in the draft. Probably the deepest it had been in a very long time.

Packers got 3 potentially very good players in the draft at WR too. (Adams, Abbrederis, Janis).

I am looking forward to seeing Abbrederis and Janis in the future play as they develop and get more opportunities. Abbrederis sounded as if he was going to be a good contributor his rookie year until he got hurt. Just recently I heard Rodgers mentioning Abbrederis about how he was looking good until he got hurt. Which reading between the lines tells me he was impressed with what he saw from him. Janis is very Raw and will likely be groomed for a bigger role next year.

What I like about Adams is we still haven't seen the best from him. I look forward to seeing how he continues to develop and improve.
I look forward to coming back in 3-4 years to see how all 3 of these WR's have developed.

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egbertsouse's picture

October 30, 2014 at 11:11 am

I don't mind guys like this Cow. I like a site that has some comments critical of the coaches and players. If I want nothing but gushing praise I can always go to Acme Packing Co. and hear from the fanboys who have man-crushes on every coach and player in green and gold. If you don't blame any loss on the refs or Goodell, you're banned as a troll.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

October 30, 2014 at 12:55 pm

Huge difference between assigning blame when deserved (which I'm all for) and bitching just to bitch, making outlandish predictions, and just trying to stir the pot. Huge difference.

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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

October 30, 2014 at 12:02 pm

One thing that will continue to make it difficult to compare receivers' stats from the past is the new rules for DBs. I think it is much easier for receivers in general to make an impact when the deck is stacked so heavily against the defense.

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Lphill's picture

October 30, 2014 at 12:19 pm

Yes COW is critical but never positive comments which proves he is not a Packers fan . If he was a fan I would not mind his input but I just take it as disrespect to the team and the fans .

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Tundraboy's picture

October 30, 2014 at 04:07 pm

Adams is solid Benjamin looks like the next great WR over them all. Big and fast. BAP for sure

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Tundraboy's picture

October 30, 2014 at 04:08 pm

Best player available,

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sonomaca's picture

October 31, 2014 at 08:02 pm

Do they let Cobb walk with the emergence of Adams? They've got plenty of future 3rd WR candidates.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

October 31, 2014 at 08:58 pm

They shouldn't. The only slot receiver behind Cobb is Myles White, and he would be a large drop-off.

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sonomaca's picture

November 02, 2014 at 12:15 am

Well, Decker got $36.25MM over 5 years with the Jets and $15 million guaranteed. Cobb will likely get at least that package, since he's younger and has more upside (not to mention more talent). If the Pack sign Cobb to that sort of deal, they'd have one of the most expensive receiving corps in football.

Right now, the feeling is that Cobb is putting off negotiations and working to up his value in FA. Unlike Jones and Jennings, Cobb is very young and an asset on special teams. If he continues to perform, I see him departing for greener pastures. I don't know where, but Andrew Luck needs more targets.

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