The Los Angeles Rams made headlines this offseason by signing veteran wide receiver Davante Adams, but not everyone is convinced the move will pay off. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell is among those approaching the signing with caution, questioning whether Adams can truly return to All-Pro form at this stage of his career.
Adams, now 32 and set to turn 33 in December, joins Sean McVay’s high-powered offense after a turbulent year split between the Raiders and Jets. While the fit appears favorable—Adams leaves behind dysfunctional situations to join forces with quarterback Matthew Stafford—Barnwell isn’t sold on a late-career renaissance.
“If we’re going to compare Adams to one of last year’s star movers, it would be Derrick Henry,” Barnwell wrote. “But it’s tough to find receivers who make significant improvements in their mid-30s.”
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell Voices Skepticism Over Los Angeles Rams’ Davante Adams Signing

Statistically, Adams was still productive in 2024, finishing with 1,063 receiving yards and eight touchdowns across 14 games. His 2.1 yards per route run was a slight uptick from the previous season, though it was inflated by a late-season outlier performance against the Jaguars. ESPN’s advanced metrics paint a mixed picture: Adams ranked 15th in “open score,” showing he can still separate from defenders, but landed 153rd out of 159 pass-catchers in “catch score,” suggesting issues with reliability.
Barnwell points to the chemistry factor as well. Much of Adams’ past success came with quarterbacks he had long-standing relationships with—Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay and Derek Carr in Las Vegas. Building that same trust with Stafford could take time, especially in an offense already centered around breakout star Puka Nacua.
Moreover, the Rams have a shaky track record when it comes to receivers in Adams’ projected role. From Sammy Watkins to Allen Robinson, Los Angeles has repeatedly struggled to find a consistent complement opposite its top pass-catcher.
Ultimately, Barnwell sees Adams as a solid No. 2 option—capable of contributing, but unlikely to recapture his All-Pro form. With a better environment and elite play-calling, Adams should help the Rams, but expectations should be tempered.
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