Should the Cleveland Browns consider trading to the Raiders for Davante Adams?

The NFL trade deadline is still nearly five weeks away, with the trade market already heating up following multiple reports that Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams looking for a trade to Las Vegas.

In recent years, this situation has come to a head, as Adams reported that frustrations with the organization have been well documented in news reports. Now, he’s made his desires official, and naturally, all fans are wondering if their team should be in play for the six-time Pro Bowler.

Cleveland Browns fans are no different. With the Browns off to a 1-3 start and the team’s pass catchers currently leading the league in drops, it’s fair to wonder whether or not they could use an injection in the receivers room wide. But does a trade for Adams actually make sense for Cleveland?

Along with reports that Adams wanted to be traded, additional information was released that the Raiders are seeking a second-round pick as well as other compensation in exchange for Adams. The Browns are expected to have a first-round pick for the first time in four years next offseason, so perhaps they’d be willing to part with a second-rounder to add Adams to the mix.

In reality though, this team will be in a key transition period after the 2024 campaign and will likely need to accumulate draft capital rather than give it up, especially in the early rounds of draft weekend. It seems unlikely that the Browns would give up a second-rounder to add a 32-year-old to the roster at this time.

Adams’ contract also complicates the situation. Cleveland would only pay a portion of his $16 million base salary this year, which isn’t the end of the world in the short term. It would be easy to move some of that money around to maximize the team’s cap space this season. But next year, and into 2026, Adams’ base salary will jump to more than $35 million, meaning the Browns will have to spend more money later.

Considering that the team was not willing to commit to an extension for Amari Cooper this offseason — who is two years younger than Adams — extending financial commitments to a player entering his 30s doesn’t seem like something they’d be willing to do.

Speaking of Cooper, his rollercoaster ride early in the season exposed him to a lot of criticism and trade rumors. The Alabama product easily leads the league in drops with eight so far. And we can say that his mistakes become an obstacle for the team.

Cooper is the type of player who can turn things around pretty quickly, but considering the organization already wasn’t committed to him long-term and then turned around and floated him in a trade scenario for San Francisco 49ers W.R. Brandon Aiyukthey made their feelings about Cooper’s future known.

Perhaps there is a package in which the Browns could offer Cooper some sort of pick for Adams in a wide receiver trade. The Raiders would get a wideout at least a few years younger. While the Browns would add an immediately impactful weapon to an offense that is the worst in football right now.

A decision for Adams would ultimately be about maximizing this season more than anything. Perhaps Adams would provide the spark the Browns need on offense to get things back on track and still get back into playoff contention. He is still playing at a high level, despite some injuries lately. However, logistically, its place beyond 2024 is a little murkier.

If the Aiyuk trade rumors have proven anything, it’s that Browns general manager Andrew Berry is looking to rejuvenate his position, not age it. Unless Adams gives him a Hail Mary to save the season, it seems counterintuitive to the Browns’ long-term plans.