3 reasons why 49ers should explore Davante Adams trade to replace Brandon Aiyuk
The San Francisco 49ers were recently linked with a move for Davante Adams amid Brandon Aiyuk's uncertain future in the franchise. Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Cleveland Browns reportedly attempted to trade for Aiyuk; however, so far, no significant progress has been made.
If Aiyuk leaves, he will likely end up in Pittsburgh. But the question that remains is: Will he depart? Various reports today indicated that the 49ers are engaged in conversations with their wide receiver, and a possible contract extension is still possible.
However, Aiyuk responded to the report with a cryptic comment that did not clarify the situation. If he does leave, the 49ers need to add another prolific wide receiver. Adams' name was floated in various trade discussions with the New York Jets this offseason. If the NFC West franchise comes calling, it would be hard for the Las Vegas Raiders to reject their offer given their salary cap constraints.
Adding a player of Davante Adams' caliber is a luxury for any team in the NFL. Here are a few reasons why the 49ers must target the Raiders star if they trade away Aiyuk.
Reasons why the 49ers should target Davante Adams
#1. Helps in maintaining their position at the top in the NFC
Brandon Aiyuk is a big part of the 49ers' offense, and if he departs, the team will be left with a huge void to fill. As a result, adding Davante Adams will be the best solution. Despite being 31 years old, Adams still has multiple years left in his tank and will fit right away in San Francisco.
The six-time Pro Bowler could prefer staying on the West Coast rather than moving across the country to New York if he is given a choice. Moreover, Kyle Shanahan's system will bring the best out of Adams, and even after losing a player like Aiyuk, the 49ers will be the best team in the NFC.
#2. Decreases the workload on Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey
If Aiyuk leaves, the team will heavily rely on players like Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey. This increases the risk of potential injuries for both of them, which could turn out to be a significant disaster for the 49ers.
With Adams on the field, both Samuel and McCaffrey will have more opportunities to exploit the opposition and produce at the highest level. The Raiders wideout had 103 receptions for 1,144 yards and scored eight touchdowns in 17 games last season with below-average quarterback play.
In the 49ers' system, alongside other great players like Samuel, McCaffrey, and George Kittle, Adams has the potential to have over 1,500 receiving yards.
#3. Helps in Brock Purdy's growth as the franchise quarterback
Brock Purdy has already cemented his place as the 49ers franchise quarterback. He is coming off a great season and will need to have another good year to put himself in line for a massive contract extension.
Having a veteran receiver like Davante Adams will make him better, and like Aiyuk, make his life a lot easier on the field. Moreover, their first-round pick, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, will benefit a lot while working with Adams.
As per Spotrac, the 49ers currently have $48 million in cap space and can easily afford the Raiders star. Moreover, a trade will be easier to execute as they will get back draft assets in return for Aiyuk.