“Too Good to Pass Up…”: Raiders Closing In On Deal To Reunite With Former $100 Million WR
Under general manager Tom Telesco, the Las Vegas Raiders have showed little interest in making major moves. He has never been a general manager known for making frequent moves, but that could change if the proper opportunity arises.
Davante Adams, a top wide receiver for the team, will have a salary cap hit of $44.1 million in 2025, up from $25.3 million in 2024. Adams hasn’t asked out, but he has been the focus of numerous trade speculations. In fact, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox may have proposed a three-team trade that the Raiders couldn’t turn down.
In this scenario, Las Vegas would send Adams to the New York Jets while the Cleveland Browns get the Jets’ 2025 third-round pick and offensive tackle Tyron Smith. The Raiders would get the Jets’ 2025 first-round pick and wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Browns.
“The Browns employ former Raiders No. 1 target Amari Cooper, who is coming off an impressive Pro Bowl campaign,” Knox wrote in a June 27 piece. “However, Cooper is looking for a new deal and was not present during mandatory minicamp.
“Las Vegas has $34.1 million in cap space, so it could afford to extend Cooper. In this trade, they receive a new top target as well as New York’s first-round draft pick in 2025. The Jets essentially trade Adams for first- and third-round picks (they have two third-round picks in 2025), while sending offensive lineman Tyron Smith to Cleveland.
This Trade Would Be Too Good to Pass Up
Adams is still a contender for the top wide receiver in the NFL.Pro Football Focus recently ranked him as the sixth-best player in the position. However, he will turn 32 during the season. It may be argued that simply obtaining a first-round pick for Adams would be beneficial. The addition of a five-time Pro Bowler who plays the same position as Cooper makes the transaction much better.
The Browns’ wide receiver is well-known among Raiders supporters. He was the team’s first-round pick in 2015 and is slightly younger than Adams, who turned 30 this month. The Raiders soured on Cooper, which is why he was traded, but that happened years ago. Since departing the team, he has over 1,000 receiving yards in four of the last five seasons.
Cooper remains one of the NFL’s finest wide receivers, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 19th. Landing the 19th-best wide receiver in football and a first-round pick for Adams is something the Raiders would have to seriously consider if that offer came in.
Amari Cooper Trying to Get Paid
The only red flag with this trade is that Cooper is due for a new contract. He was recently asked about racing and made it clear that he wouldn’t risk injuring himself until he gets a new contract.
“I’d pull a hammy or something trying to race you,” Cooper told Betr in a June 25 video clip. “I’m trying to get paid this year.”
Cooper should aim for a contract comparable to Justin Jefferson’s $35 million-a-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings, as wide receiver contracts are increasing. He should earn around $24.25 million per year, comparable to Nico Collins’ contract with the Houston Texans. That’s a reasonable price to pay for a No. 1 wide receiver coming off a Pro Bowl season.
