Davante Adams Should Be Next Big-Money Signing for Packers

The Packers have some key players with contracts expiring after the 2017 season, but the next person in line for a big-money deal should be Davante Adams.

The Green Bay Packers are going to have some important decisions to make ahead of the next offseason, but something they should consider doing sooner rather than later, is re-signing Davante Adams to a long-term deal.

Joining Adams as free agents next March are slated to be Corey Linsley, Lane Taylor, Morgan Burnett and Richard Rodgers. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix would have been a free agent, but Green Bay wisely exercised his fifth-year option, meaning he won’t hit the market until after the 2018 season. 

Over the years, Ted Thompson hasn’t been a big money spender in free agency. Instead, he has chosen to invest in his own players and that’s why we should expect at least one long-term deal to is going to get done this fall.

The most recent examples have been extensions done with Mike Daniels and last year with David Bakhtiari. Both players would have been in line for big contracts had they hit the market, but in both instances, the Packers prevented them from ever seeing it.

In today’s NFL, that’s the best way to keep good players and that’s why the Packers should try to strike a deal with Adams. With Jordy Nelson aging and Randall Cobb also declining, Adams could be the new cornerstone at wide receiver and even now, he’s too good to risk losing.

Certainly, Adams didn’t seem like a must-keep player just two years ago, but that shows how quickly things change in the NFL.

After a promising rookie season, Adams struggled with injuries and drops in 2015. He caught 50 passes but gained only 483 yards and scored just one touchdown. At that point, many questioned Adams and some even speculated he might not make the 2016 roster out of training camp.

However, Adams bounced back. He got over the drops and turned into one of the better route runners in the league. Down the stretch, Adams dominated and for the season, he caught 75 passes for 997 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also upped his yards-per-catch average from 9.7 yards to 13.3.

It may have been just one season, but in it, Adams showed the ability to be a true No.1 receiver. He proved he can beat man coverage and that Aaron Rodgers can trust him to be a go-to guy.

Some may view Adams as a one-year wonder. And after just one solid season of production, it’s a good reason why the Packers should wait a few weeks into the season before signing him to an extension. They did the same thing with Rodgers (2008) and many others, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see them do it again.

As long as Adams has another good training camp and continues to play at a high level through the first part of the season, Green Bay should absolutely try to get a deal done. After all, the longer the team waits, the higher the price gets.

Adams has become a building-block type of player and he’s one the Packers must have for the long haul.

 

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Chris is a sports journalist from Montana and has been blogging about the Packers since 2011. Chris has been a staff writer for CheeseheadTV since 2017 and looks forward to the day when Aaron Rodgers wins his second Super Bowl. Follow him @thepackersguru

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Comments (70)

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Finwiz's picture

May 25, 2017 at 12:23 pm

Not fast enough to be a number one receiver and teams won't be forced into doubling him. Good article. Remember what he did without Jordy in 2015, as your article defined. He didn't respond well to being "THE guy".

Not sure about the long term contract thing, but he didn't hurt his chances in 2016. I'd take a "wait and see" approach in 2017 and go from there. If we see the same production , mid-season 2017, the price of poker just went up.

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worztik's picture

May 25, 2017 at 12:27 pm

My thoughts fer true fun!!!

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worztik's picture

May 25, 2017 at 12:27 pm

FIN

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TheVOR's picture

May 25, 2017 at 05:27 pm

Ya, he's not even close to a priority for the Packers. We need to sign OL, Extend Ha2 Dix, and rework Rodgers. Dropvante is NFL (Not For Long) in Green Bay. He'll have 2 guy's pushing him hard by the end of camp.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

May 25, 2017 at 09:20 pm

Are u serious? Dix has two years left on his deal and he is more valuable than Linsley or Taylor. When Cobb gets cut at the end of the year and Nelson is 32 and you let Adams got then what do you have? Adams will easily get 10 million a year on open market. Without breaking a sweat.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

May 26, 2017 at 12:22 am

No, he will have to break a sweat for $10M. He is comparable to Marvin Jones and Britt, both currently in the low $8M. Those deals are 1 and 2 years old, so with inflation, he should be in the $9 to $9.5M.

If GB gives him more than $10M AAV, we are looking at Cobb redux where folks mistook him for a #1 WR. He ain't, and neither is Adams.

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Amanofthenorth's picture

May 27, 2017 at 02:12 am

He might not have been at 22.....

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Amanofthenorth's picture

May 27, 2017 at 03:36 am

He might not have been at 22.....

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worztik's picture

May 25, 2017 at 12:26 pm

I didn't read the article; don't need to! Adams isn't a speed guy/#1 receiver. He's a good receiver but, let's not make another mistake like we made with Cobby! Plus, big contract is soooo subjective! How about 5 mil/year... works for 99.999999 % of the people of this world!!! Just sayin'....

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worztik's picture

May 25, 2017 at 12:31 pm

Actually, we should be so lucky to make 5 mil/year!!!!
Or half
Or a quarter
Or a fifth
Or a fiftieth...

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Savage57's picture

May 26, 2017 at 07:28 am

THE PACKERS NEED TO WAIT.

Adams has one good season in the books. His rookie year showed promise, his second year was pretty much a shit-show, and last year he emerged.

Even if it means the risk of losing him, let this season play out and see if Adams is more than a one-year wonder.

It's how the Packers can avoid getting into more Randall Cobb or Sam Shields situations, where a player flashes a season, they rush to lock him up before he hits the market and wind up paying about double for the rate of production over a number of years.

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dobber's picture

May 26, 2017 at 11:08 am

When you sign a guy, you don't plan on him getting hurt. Shields was a solid investment and was playing well until the concussions caught up to him.

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Ferrari Driver's picture

May 25, 2017 at 01:15 pm

Looks like the consensus so far is that Adams looks like he could be/is a good receiver, but not a number one and not to be paid big bucks. He lacks the high end speed to separate and doesn't require double coverage.

I like the wait and see unless the price is right.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

May 25, 2017 at 06:53 pm

He played a pro bowl level after the first few games last season. He runs the slant as well as anyone in the league. If he's not a true no. 1 he is close. If the Packers don't sign him and he has another good season, he will easily get $10-12 million. I just would assume pay him a little less and lock him up. He has passed Cobb already. They can't afford to lose him not after using a 2nd on him and developing him these last few years.

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billybobton's picture

May 26, 2017 at 02:36 pm

Before shoveling money at this 3rd rate WR think about the fact that at the end of the year adams was the THIRD choice after Jordy and AFTER a TE. As the number 2 guy adams was big disappointment last year. He ALONE dropped 5 td passes, not total drops just td drops, in the playoffs he was the invisible man after Jordy got hurt

It is not bad luck that without two better options for AROD and 2 other players to defend for the defense that adams produces zero, it is the fact he is not a good player

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billybobton's picture

May 26, 2017 at 02:51 pm

Keep in mind while watching the td dropvante got v seattle that #20 on seattle is in man to man against and is in fact a back up cb, he is not a starter

nobody took adams seriously last year, there was no scheme to stop him there was no shadowing and the fact is year in year out our 3rd wr beats the other teams 3rd cb and that is due to AROD not the WR

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billybobton's picture

May 25, 2017 at 01:25 pm

got over the drops.....he ONLY dropped five touchdowns, not total drops but touchdowns.....he stands in the endzone and AROD throws him open.... watch some tape before writing

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ChrisPeterson's picture

May 25, 2017 at 09:23 pm

I watched him plenty. Remember when Jordy had the drops all the time, like in the Super Bowl? That worked out ok. How about you watch the tape of Adams dominating down the stretch. Beating press coverage with ease and score 12 TDs. How about that game opening TD against Seattle. Speed looked ok there. Hands too. Outside of Rodgers and Nelson, he is biggest offensive weapon. He had 997 yards and got 75 balls. What were u watching?

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MarkinMadison's picture

May 25, 2017 at 02:27 pm

Jerry Rice ran the 40 in 4.7 sec....

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MarkinMadison's picture

May 25, 2017 at 02:30 pm

Double!

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Finwiz's picture

May 25, 2017 at 02:39 pm

And DA doesn't get much separation, either way. 13.3 YPC isn't all that impressive. I like him, just not sure you break the bank to keep him.
Kind of like Hyde on defense, but maybe a touch better (arguably).

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dobber's picture

May 25, 2017 at 05:34 pm

At 13.3 ypc Adams ranked ahead of...

Jordy Nelson (13.0)
Michael Thomas (12.4)
DeAndre Hopkins (12.2)
Antonio Brown (12.1)
Demaryious Thomas (12.0)
Steve Smith (11.4)
Julian Edelman (11.3)
Michael Crabtree (11.3)
Larry Fitzgerald (9.6)

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ChrisPeterson's picture

May 25, 2017 at 09:29 pm

No, no, no. Hyde is average, average, average. Adams isn't. He's big, skilled enough and good enough to dominate games. Hyde made a play every now and then but got abused all the time. Adams is way better than Hyde, he's on the cusp of being a pro bowler, Hyde will be cut in a year or two from the Bills.

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stockholder's picture

May 25, 2017 at 02:17 pm

Big Money? Please spare me. With so many targets, and contracts up. What a load of crap. Let's compare Monty to Adams. Whose more important to the offense. Need I say more.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

May 25, 2017 at 09:40 pm

For one, I don't know how you put Linsley or Taylor ahead of Adams. Secondly, Adams is a free agent after this season, Monty isn't for two more years. Same with Ha Ha. And I'd still say Adams is more important. The Packers don't make the playoffs last season without him. Bottom line.

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stockholder's picture

May 26, 2017 at 06:04 am

Sorry I would sign Linsley first. Taylor no. We went through a lot of centers after Wells. (No Trotter for back-up.) I've seen to many loses without a quality center. After LT, the center is a must for zone blocking schemes. The packers don't make the playoffs without Monty. I disagree on Adams! Before Adams even showed up. Nelson and Cobb did just fine. And A-rod loved what Cook brought. So it's team, Not Adams. But MM said they run certain plays for certain guys. Give credit to MM. Not just for Adams, but Monty also. Let's look at James Jones here. Adams was compared to him. The packers could have signed him and let him go. (Instead of drafting Adams.) You only give big bucks to a #1 and #2 threat WRs. You can't over pay the position.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

May 26, 2017 at 06:26 am

I want them to keep Linsley. I would be fine if they have him an extension today. I think he and Adams should​ both be kept. Taylor too. Then there is Morgan Burnett. After that, there isn't anyone that's going to be a free agent in 2018 that isn't easily replaceable. I like Richard Rodgers, I just wouldn't pay much to keep him. Good hands, slow as molasses.

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dobber's picture

May 26, 2017 at 11:27 am

The Packers are no longer a true ZBS team and haven't been for some time. They run a mix of power and zone.

I will agree with you on one of your main points: ARod makes some of these receivers better. I think Nelson would be a high-end WR in just about any system. Over the years, even back through the Favre years, the Packers usually have had a group of WR where the #3 and #4 receivers were significantly better than the #3 and #4 cover guys on defense. ARod made hay on that.

In the end, the stable needs to be full for #12. Everyone wants to trade, cut or renegotiate Cobb. Fine, but you've got to have guys who can play. Adams is clearly a #2 WR in this league and significantly better than anyone on the roster not wearing #87...and arguably #18. He's better than James Jones was at this stage. If he goes and Cobb goes, you've got Nelson (who could fall off at any time), a couple TEs, and a bunch of sub-replacement level guys at WR. In a passing league with the most talented QB, that would be just plain stupid.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

May 26, 2017 at 06:56 pm

You've been on a roll lately, Dobber. I agree about the WRs. I'd just add that Linsley is coming off ankle surgery and won't say whether he be good to go by TC. So before we extend him, I'd like to see him moving around well, maybe even play a few snaps in a preseason game before we hand him a big signing bonus check.

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AG Greenlawn's picture

May 29, 2017 at 06:26 pm

Agree with the James Jones analogy. Adams after 4 years is similar to Jones but drops more passes. Probably will get better money Jones got 10M for 3 years. Adams will probably get 15M for 3 years. If he gets more than that he should take it.

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NickPerry's picture

May 27, 2017 at 12:10 pm

I don't know Chris, Lindsey and Taylor are almost MUST SIGNS after losing Sitton and Lang in consecutive years. If Taylor and Lindsey were to walk this season you'd have a possible O-Line of Bakhtiari, Murphy, Barclay, Patrick, and Bulaga. NO THANKS!! Even fitting Spriggs in there somewhere doesn't offer much improvement at least on paper.

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dobber's picture

May 26, 2017 at 11:40 am

I like Monty's potential as a RB/WR hybrid in this offense, but outside of one or maybe two games, he really hasn't done that awful much. This offense revolves around #12.

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MarkinMadison's picture

May 25, 2017 at 02:30 pm

Adams is already being talked about as the #1 FA WR next year likely to be available. I don't think the Packers will offer him top dollar, and I don't know that he will take less. Nothing spoiled the Packers more than Jordy Nelson's humility.

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stockholder's picture

May 26, 2017 at 06:19 am

Like I said, Comp pick coming. Especially the way TT does business. Look at the offensive players that left this year. Lang , Lacy , and cook. If Adams does not make the most of every chance/////////Good BYE.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

May 26, 2017 at 06:30 am

Lang is aging and Lacy never really showed he could be healthy. Plus the Packers aren't dumb. They know they need to get Adams done. I'd rather keep Adams than Lacy. Honestly, probably over Lang too just because of youth and sorry but it's easier to find a guy who can play guard than WR. Just look at Taylor. UDFA out of Oklahoma State. Lang was a fourth, Sitton was a fourth. Linsley a fifth. Bak a 4th. TT is great at finding o-line In later rounds. WR, though, he gets those guys in Rd 2: Jennings, Nelson, Cobb, Adams. Etc.

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stockholder's picture

May 26, 2017 at 08:01 am

chris, you really made some good points here. Linsley was a steal. And yes you are correct about the WRs over Lineman now. Especially since TT has been GM. But I'm not sold on Adams being Jennings,Nelson,Cobb. Thats the real argument. You would have to say Adams is the next great packer WR. Seeing is believing. And thats No guarantee with Adams. I think Adams can be like Finley. He's going to have to take the fans Booing if he drops anything. Especially if he gets that windfall. But I would take Finley over Adams any day. Finely was a threat. Adams is not. To pay Adams he has to go against the top CBs. I believe he will still drop anything if he gets frustrated.

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billybobton's picture

May 26, 2017 at 02:40 pm

# 1 FA WR, yes like Jennings before him and Jones as well, they are all # 1 receivers and after not having the best of all time throwing them open how did they do?

Adams is a lazy Jennings who refuses to run or block, a smaller dumber Jones.

Watch the MN game where Jordy breaks his route for a 30 yard td while adams STANDS STILL the entire time, can not miss it on the video

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MarkinMadison's picture

May 25, 2017 at 02:30 pm

Double!

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Tundraboy's picture

May 25, 2017 at 08:53 pm

.

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MarkinMadison's picture

May 25, 2017 at 02:31 pm

Triple!!!

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PatrickGB's picture

May 25, 2017 at 03:08 pm

Adams needs a speedy counterpart. Like a younger Jordy or Janis to pull off some coverage. Sign Lindsay first and see how much cap money we have left.

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dobber's picture

May 25, 2017 at 05:35 pm

Simply put, Adams needs single coverage. He's strong enough to beat most CB off the line, just not fast enough to run away from them.

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Tundraboy's picture

May 25, 2017 at 08:54 pm

Perfectly said. No hype or negativity, just an honest assessment.

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croatpackfan's picture

May 26, 2017 at 05:30 am

3rd snap of the Sattle at Green Bay last season. He was one on one with safety over top. 66 yards TD.

It is one very clear highlight of what Davante Adams is capable of. You have a lot of highlights like that last season.

But, lot of fans here can not forget him 2015 season. You are not taking in consideration that he was injured. You do not take in consideration what Aaron Rodgers thinks of Davante - not once Aaron said that Davante will be huge star in NFL, and that will be soon.

I can imagine situation if Packers cut or release Davante in the future and he become star somewhere else, to first who will blame Packers GM (TT or somebody else) will be fans who are today first to spit on Davante Adams.

My God. What games were you watching guys? You forget that Jordy was 1st last season with 14 TD and Davante was 2nd with 12 TD. He was in company of Antonio Brawn and Mike Evans (all 3 had 12 TD), while Odell Beckham had 10 and lot of others known WR had less, like Dez Bryant (8), Larry Fitzgertald & Julio Jones (both 6), Amari Cooper, Demarius Thomas (both 5), Randall Cobb (4) etc.

So, Jordy and Davante had 26 TD together. You really think that DC from Pcckers opponents were not paying attention to Davante Adams? You must be joking. Even me, with very little football knowledge understands that opponents will pay attention on one of the most potent offensive player from your roster.

Do not embarass yourself, please...

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dobber's picture

May 26, 2017 at 11:23 am

"Do not embarass yourself, please..."

Geez, you're starting to sound like my wife....

If you put "do not embarrass me, please" it would sound like my daughter...

;)

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croatpackfan's picture

May 26, 2017 at 05:20 pm

Well, probably, because of my age, I should sound like your wife. Nobody can embarrass me any more. I did it very well by myself...

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dobber's picture

May 26, 2017 at 07:53 pm

As long as you enjoyed it! ;)

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billybobton's picture

May 26, 2017 at 02:45 pm

why not actually watch the tape?

you will not see single S to adams at all
You WILL see the CB bite on AROD faking the out to the sideline and adams going up field AFTER AROD gets him open

it is really easy to find on youtube even though this site will not allow the link

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croatpackfan's picture

May 26, 2017 at 05:18 pm

I checked again. I just watched again on coaches film.
So - yes there was no safety behind CB (#20), but there was safety in the area (#23) who was trying to catch Adams with no success - Adams was much faster.
Also, there was no AROD faking the out to the sideline, Adams outrun his opponent and open behind him. Aaron just place the ball where he needs to.
So, you should watch that again!
If you asked where I got coaches film, it is on NFL Game Pass. I have paid for that service, so that I can check what you all talking about...
Thank you!

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Matt Gonzales's picture

May 25, 2017 at 03:57 pm

You need a great Tonto to go with your Lone Ranger. Cobb and Jordy will likely be both gone by the end of the 2019 season. It takes a lot of pressure off future drafts if the Packers can identify a current cornerstone #2 and keep him around. Is that Adams? I personally think he could be that player, but he does need to show he can build off a solid 2016.

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dobber's picture

May 25, 2017 at 05:36 pm

I need a cite for that Tonto/Lone Ranger reference! ;)

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Tundraboy's picture

May 25, 2017 at 08:50 pm

Now that's a bit harsh.

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Tundraboy's picture

May 25, 2017 at 08:53 pm

Deleted

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California Packer's picture

May 25, 2017 at 08:40 pm

Hey Chris, don't know what you smok'n, but you need to pass along. Adam's? Long term? To a contract? THis clown couldn't catch a ball if it were Super-Glued to his helmet. In fact, I don't think he could be efficient at the take out window at Burger King. He has the best QB throwing to him and he can't catch the simple ones. Just think how 'good' he would be if he had Tannehill or some other loser throwing. The sooner we cut this clown the quicker we can open up a spot for Stevie Wonder, who would do a better job.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

May 25, 2017 at 09:46 pm

This comment has to be a joke right? You want to cut a guy for nothing that had 997 yards and 12 TDs entering his 4th season, his prime? Seems a little out there. He is going to be one of the top free agent WRs after the season, he certainly won't he cut anytime soon, by anyone.

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J0hn Denver's Gavel's picture

May 26, 2017 at 11:57 am

do you watch the games? he had an amazing year last year!

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Tundraboy's picture

May 25, 2017 at 08:59 pm

I'd wait and see before we make him a priority. At the same time some players take time and it's not so unusual for a player to have a bad season. Maybe it was just unreasonable to expect him to improve from year one and season two was in the end a bad year.

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slit's picture

May 25, 2017 at 11:47 pm

997 YDS & 12 TD w/ Rodgers = 750 YDS & 8 TD on most other teams. This guy still dropped a lot of passes last year, and totally flopped when asked to step up when Jordy was out. Adams is a fine #2, and quite frankly, 10mil/yr is about the going rate for #2 WRs these days (see Marvin Jones). Just please stop w/ the phrases "cornerstone" & "buiding block"; it makes you sound foolish.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

May 25, 2017 at 11:51 pm

People said it was silly when it was said about Jordy too. I wrote what I wrote cause I believe it. I believe Adams will be one of the Packers most important offensive players for years to come. I don't think​ that's crazy to think. I may well be wrong. Just my opinion. And if Rodgers could make every WR good, then what's up w Janis, Cobb, Trevor Davis? Rodgers helps. But the WRs can play too.

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slit's picture

May 26, 2017 at 07:09 am

Who said Rodgers could make every WR good? I said DA is a decent #2, that means I think he can play. My argument is that in order to call a WR a cornerstone, said player needs to be special. I don't think DA is going to be special or elite at any point in his career; hope I'm wrong.

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J0hn Denver's Gavel's picture

May 26, 2017 at 12:02 pm

I think he'll get even better. He's shown vast improvement so far.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

May 26, 2017 at 01:29 am

Of course, the problem Slit is that Jones is only making $8M AAV. He signed before the 2016 season, so add a year of inflation. He is also more of a vertical threat.

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EJ's picture

May 26, 2017 at 06:32 am

The thought of the Packers giving big money to Adams just made me throw up in my mouth.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

May 26, 2017 at 02:39 pm

So having just Nelson next season sounds good to you?

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EJ's picture

May 27, 2017 at 09:28 am

Not signing Adams does not preclude the Packers from signing a free agent WR or drafting one.

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Donster's picture

May 26, 2017 at 06:53 am

I have no doubt that he is a #2 receiver, he will get his $10 million, and even more if he duplicates this coming season as last season. I don't see him worth more than $10 million, but the way the league is, someone will pay him that and more. Will it be TT? I think it depends on how the younger receivers look this coming season. I think Janis is gone, unless none of the rookies show something.

What I am afraid of is that if TT signs Adams for $10 million plus, he will do what Cobb has done. Once he got that big contract, his quality of play dropped off. And I feel that will happen with Adams.

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dobber's picture

May 26, 2017 at 03:03 pm

" Once he got that big contract, his quality of play dropped off. "

Based on this argument, nobody should ever be signed for big money out of fear. Honestly, I worry about this every time the Packers ink a player to a long term big money deal...I hope for it every time the competition does.

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egbertsouse's picture

May 26, 2017 at 07:32 am

He is an average No. 2 and is inconsistent,i.e., still reverts to his Dropvante form every so often. Not worth $10 mil. Of course, neither are Fabio or Cobb so I expect TT will throw money at him.

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dobber's picture

May 26, 2017 at 03:04 pm

Plenty of true #1 WR out there with significantly higher drop rates than Adams.

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cpitt's picture

May 26, 2017 at 09:44 am

Davante will get 1300 and 13tds this year if healthy. May never be a top 5 receiver but could def be top 10. His athleticism is off the charts.

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