The Los Angeles Rams can take solace in knowing they enter training camp with what could be the best offseason addition in the league, six-time Pro Bowl and three-time All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams.
Adams was a second-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 2014 draft. He is on his third team in the past two seasons, splitting 2024 between the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets.
He signed a two-year, $44 million contract with the Rams in free agency this offseason.
“Adams is an immediate upgrade over Cooper Kupp given his ability to still shake press coverage and separate as the ‘X’ receiver. Opposite Puka Nacua, Adams can isolate to win one-on-one or attack the schemed voids in Sean McVay’s pass game,” Former Rams DB and current ESPN analyst Matt Bowen wrote on July 23.
“With five straight seasons of 1,000-plus receiving yards, he is at the top of this list because he can elevate a Rams team primed to make a run in the NFC playoffs.”
The Rams released Kupp in March, quickly replacing him with Adams. The latter arrives with accolades and $141.8 million in career earnings.
Davante Adams Bolsters Rams’ ‘Greatest Strength’
GettyDavante Adams #17 of the New York Jets warms up before facing the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Adams joins a Rams WR room that includes fellow Pro Bowler Nacua as well as explosive deep threat Tutu Atwell, 2024 sixth-round pick Jordan Whittington, and rookie seventh-round pick Konata Mumpfield.
ESPN’s Mike Clay tabbed the group as the Rams’ “greatest strength.”
“Of course, Nacua is the headliner,” Clay wrote on July 21. “A fifth-round flier in the 2023 draft, Nacua exploded for 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie and, despite missing six games due to injury, caught 79 balls for 990 yards and three touchdowns in 2024. Adams is now 32 years old but doesn’t appear to have lost a step. He had 85 catches for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games with the Jets and Raiders last season. Tutu Atwell and second-year receiver Jordan Whittington are among those competing for No. 3 duties.”
However, Nacua has praised Adams’ contributions to the Rams and their position group. He even seemed ready to cede top billing to his more accomplished teammate.
Puka Nacua Gets Honest About Davante Adams
GettyFormer New York Jets WR Davante Adams #17 celebrates against the Seattle Seahawks.
Nacua is changing his jersey number to No. 12 this season, with Adams assuming his traditional No. 17 with the Rams. While that change was pre-planned for Nacua, he is seemingly ready to make concessions to accommodate Adams.
He is already attempting to learn the veteran’s signature release habits.
“Davante, as soon as he stepped into the facility, has been fantastic. The ability to learn from another all-time great has been – I feel like I’m stealing. I’m like a kid in the candy store,” Nacua told the panel during his appearance on “The Insiders” on July 15. “My life is pretty good. I can’t complain too much. It’s gonna be fun. We signed Tutu (Atwell) back. We’ve got some speed. We got a bunch of young guys who are excited to play. 17 [Adams] is gonna lead the way for us, and it’s gonna be fantastic to be out there on the football field with him.”
ESPN ranked the Rams’ roster as the eighth-best in the league entering the 2025 season, and Adams is a key factor in that. That is especially true now that Kupp is with the Seattle Seahawks.
Rams Get Strong Feedback After Adding $141 Million All-Pro Playmaker