Why the Packers have already won the Davante Adams trade

Throughout Week 1, everywhere you looked, you would find comparisons between the Green Bay Packers‘ wide receiver numbers and Davante Adams’ in his Las Vegas Raiders debut.

Interestingly, those comparisons have gone away in recent weeks. I wonder why.

It’s fair to say the opening three games haven’t gone as Adams would’ve hoped after getting the move he wanted to the Raiders this past offseason.

Adams said he is “frustrated and angry” after the Raiders’ 0-3 start.

After catching 10 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown on his Raiders debut, Adams’ numbers have dropped significantly.

Despite being targeted 17 times, Adams has just seven catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns over the past two weeks combined.

For comparison, Packers rookie Romeo Doubs caught eight passes for 73 yards and a touchdown in the past game alone.

When Adams got traded to the Raiders, many expected the team to become serious contenders in the AFC.

However, the Raiders likely face a playoff-less season in 2022. According to Kevin Patra of NFL.com, only 2.5 percent of 0-3 teams have made the postseason since 1990.

It’s early, but the Packers look to have won the Davante Adams trade.

Despite offensive struggles, Packers have won Davante Adams trade

There’s no doubt the Packers’ offense would be better with Adams. He is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL and had a connection with Aaron Rodgers like no other.

Green Bay’s offense hasn’t exactly hit the ground running in 2022. They are averaging 16 points per game, sixth-fewest in the NFL.

Aaron Rodgers is on pace for 3,876 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, well below expectations for the four-time MVP.

However, had it not been for the Adams trade, the Packers likely would’ve been a worse football team overall.

By making the deal, Green Bay had enough cap space to re-sign De’Vondre Campbell, Rasul Douglas, and Robert Tonyan. The team could also sign Jarran Reed and give a contract extension to Jaire Alexander.

The Packers used the 22nd draft pick from the Raiders to select Quay Walker, who has already become a key starter in Joe Barry’s defense.

GM Brian Gutekunst packaged the Raiders’ second-rounder in a deal to move up for Christian Watson.

Losing Adams may hurt the offense in the short term, but without the trade, the Packers may not have been able to make many (or any) of the moves above.

Also, we should see improvements from Green Bay’s offense as the season goes on.

Romeo Doubs has impressed and will only get better as he gains more experience with Rodgers. Doubs leads the Packers in receiving through three weeks with 14 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown.

He is also consistently getting open. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Doubs has gained an average of 4.1 yards of separation this season.

Doubs is also great with the ball in his hands. An impressive 84 of his 137 receiving yards this season have come after the catch.

The offensive line will also improve with David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins back.

The Packers remain contenders even after trading Adams. They are 2-1 and just beat one of the NFC’s best teams on the road.

Are there areas to improve? Absolutely.

But the Raiders traded high draft picks for Adams to make them contenders. Three losses later, their playoff hopes are already slipping away, while the Packers used their extra cap space and draft picks to strengthen the roster.