It’s been a busy two weeks in Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers signed a three-year gazillion-dollar contract, Davante Adams has been traded to Las Vegas, and Big Ernie the cheese churner came out of retirement. What does it all mean? Will the stink of the cheese be greater than ever in Green Bay this season? Not if Rodgers has anything to say about it—but yes if Big Ern has anything to say about it. Rodgers gobbled up all of the Packers’ financial reserves and cheese, leaving nothing left for Adams. Now the Jeopardy star will have a skeleton crew at wide receiver and it’s impossible not to give the hall of famer at least a moderate stock-down in the wake of this news.Â
Davante Adams on the other hand, while leaving one of the top passing QBs in the history of the NFL, will now be reunited with his college sweetheart—Derek Carr. In two seasons and 26 games together at Fresno State, Adams and Carr hooked up for 233 receptions/completions for 3,031 yards and 38 touchdowns. Those are some mind-boggling numbers especially when you consider Adams wasn’t even 21 years old at the time. Here we are, eight years later, finding the two lovebirds back together in the flashing lights of Vegas. Adams has gained eight seasons of experience playing with one of the best quarterbacks of all time.Â
So what should we expect from the star wide receiver out in the desert? To say there isn’t any risk in a new offense with, objectively, a less skilled passer would be naive and disingenuous. And I’m genuous! But again, the body of work and chemistry Carr and Adams displayed together during their youth should not be overlooked either. Let’s not forget that Darren Waller is still a menace and will draw more defensive attention than any other receiving weapon Adams has played with since Jordy Nelson in his prime. Adams will turn 30 years old at the end of the 2022 season which means he should have at least a couple of peak seasons of pass-catching left in the tank. Call me cautiously optimistic. Not optimistic enough to spend a late first or early second-round PPR pick on him, but that’s more philosophical than anything—Nietzsche always said, “don’t draft a wide receiver in a new offense too early.” Wherever Adams ends up being taken in drafts, it’s very likely a spot where I’ll be scooping up a running back instead.Â
As for the rest of the Raiders offense? A rising tide lifts all Vegas fantasy assets, as the old saying goes. Unless that asset’s name is Bryan Edwards, who now falls to the #4 receiving option for Carr. But the threat of an upper-echelon WR1 will open up the field for Waller, Renfroe, and even Josh Jacobs. A career year could be on tap for Derek Carr and he’s the fantasy player I’m most intrigued by in the wake of this news. If and when I fade QB this season, I might choose to take Carr for a late spin.
