The Los Angeles Rams have been active in free agency, ranking eighth in spending according to Over The Cap, with significant investments in Davante Adams, Poona Ford, and Alaric Jackson, alongside the upcoming renegotiation of Matthew Stafford’s contract. While reactions to these moves have varied, the Rams’ focus remains on maximizing their current roster and competing for a Super Bowl.
Did The Los Angeles Rams Overpay a Free Agent WR?
However, NFL analyst Daniel Mader of The Sporting News has expressed concern about the Rams’ two-year, $44 million deal with Davante Adams, essentially a one-year, $20 million contract, deeming it an overpay for the 32-year-old receiver. “There’s no question that Adams is still an elite NFL wide receiver. In a down year, he still totaled 1,063 receiving yards between the Raiders and Jets. Adams also remains one of the best down-field wideouts in the league,” Mader acknowledged.
His primary concern stems from Adams’ age and the contract’s longevity. “However, he’s 32, which is getting up there for an NFL receiver. His $22 million AAV now ranks 18th among all receivers, so the Rams paid him as a top-20 player at his position — which is fair to do based on last season’s production. But can Adams be trusted to remain elite through age 34? With Matthew Stafford also approaching 40 and Los Angeles set to part ways with one star receiver in Cooper Kupp just to replace him with Adams, this is a contract that may not do much for the Rams, and it may not look great by next spring.”
Mader’s reservations center on the long-term viability of the contract rather than the immediate impact of acquiring Adams. This sentiment is shared by other analysts who question the move. LA is banking on Adams maintaining his elite performance for at least one season while Stafford is still playing. Adams’ health and Sean McVay’s ability to seamlessly integrate him into the offense will be crucial.
These factors are unlikely to pose significant challenges for the team, who are firmly in a “win-now” mode. While the Adams deal might be considered an overpay, the alternatives—continuing to pay Cooper Kupp, adding less impactful receivers, trading draft picks, or relying on an unproven rookie—presented their own risks.
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