At 32 years old and coming off a turbulent season split between two teams, Davante Adams signed with the Los Angeles Rams this offseason, looking for a reset. So far, early signs suggest the veteran wide receiver may be finding just that — a second wind in Sean McVay’s offense with a rejuvenated opportunity to make an impact alongside Matthew Stafford.
Adams signed a two-year, $44 million deal with the Rams in free agency, brought in to help fill the void left by the declining health and production of Cooper Kupp. Despite a rocky 2024 campaign that saw him traded midseason from the Raiders to the Jets, Adams still managed to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for a fifth consecutive year, finishing with 85 receptions for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns. His six touchdowns and 576 receiving yards over the final six games hinted that the fire was far from extinguished — even if his performance flew under the radar with the Jets already out of contention.
Still, expectations for Adams in Los Angeles are being weighed carefully.
Davante Adams Turning Heads At Los Angeles Rams Camp, But Questions Linger About Fit and Ceiling
“He’s north of 30, but the way he’s out there, it doesn’t look like it,” said Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. “He’s got a lot of juice in the tank, and it’s been fun to watch. You know the guys that are just a little bit different when the ball’s in the air — how they contort their body and just go up and get it like basketball players. That’s Davante.”
Adams’ presence has already made an impression on younger teammates, including rising star Puka Nacua, who believes the All-Pro receiver brings more than just pedigree to the locker room.
“From the moment he walked in, he’s been willing to offer advice, share new drills, and really change the mindset,” Nacua said. “The suddenness and the ability to steal leverage at the line of scrimmage — that’s something he thrives at. Everyone in the NFL knows that.”
But not everyone is convinced the pairing will be a slam dunk.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell praised the upgrade Adams receives with McVay and Stafford, but cautioned that the fit may not fully unlock his potential. While Adams still ranks highly in certain metrics — including 15th in “open score,” reflecting his ability to separate from defenders — concerns persist about declining catch efficiency. According to ESPN’s “receiver score” metric, Adams’ catch score ranked 153rd out of 159 eligible pass catchers in 2024.
Barnwell also drew parallels to past Rams receivers with lofty expectations and mixed results — including Allen Robinson, Brandin Cooks, and Odell Beckham Jr. All arrived in L.A. with promise. Few delivered sustained impact. Beckham helped win a Super Bowl, but injuries cut his time short. Robinson and Watkins, similarly, fizzled before finding rhythm.
“The most likely scenario,” Barnwell wrote, “is that Adams is a solid No. 2 receiver who doesn’t get the sort of target share he’s used to while still influencing games. There’s a universe in which he feasts on one-on-one coverage and makes it back to the Pro Bowl, but this is a spot where the Rams have swung and missed recently.”
There is, however, one key differentiator: Adams’ durability. He’s played in all 17 games in each of the last two seasons and only missed time last year due to a brief hamstring issue amid his trade situation. That kind of reliability, especially at his age, gives the Rams added confidence in his short-term value.
For now, the Rams are taking an optimistic but measured approach. Adams is impressing in practice, engaging as a mentor, and still showing signs of elite skill — all while working in a system that’s historically maximized wide receiver production.
Whether that translates into another Pro Bowl campaign or simply a dependable second option alongside Nacua, Adams’ role in Los Angeles will be central to the Rams’ playoff hopes in 2025. One thing’s clear: He’s already rewriting the narrative of his final chapter — and it’s only June.
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