Saints at the top of Davante Adams’ wish list [“Saints might just be the favorite” per Fowler; Saints not agreeing on draft pick comp yet]
It is not debatable. The Saints scored the 3rd highest point total in the first 2 games in NFL history. They'd have scored more if they let off the 4th quarter.
Because a "top 5 WR" (top 5 in what?) doesn't make the team better, when the QB has 2-3 defenders on top of him, and the team primarily runs the ball.
I get that and they do need a contested catch guy and redzone threat and that Adams can be that guy. But that doesn't mean it makes sense to give up significant future draft assets, add more dead money to the future on the cap, and expend significant cap space over the next 3 years for a 32 year-old WR even if he fills an immediate need.
If I thought the Saints were a Davante Adams away from the Super Bowl then sure, go for it. But, I don't think that's the case. So I think they need to compile draft capital and save cap space to build to the point that they are a player or two away from making a run and need the cap space and draft capital to acquire those guys.
So, again, if the price isn't too high, say a 4th or something close to that and you can find a way to do it that won't kill the future cap, then do it. But I don't want to see Loomis pretending that we are the later years Drew Brees teams that might have been just one player away from making a run.
And, I felt the same way about Simmons both when they tried to trade for him and when they tried to sign him as a free agent. If the price was right, do it, but I though the price rose too high. And, clearly the Saints also felt that there was a point where such a move for an older player didn't make sense.
I mean people constantly cry on here about how the Saints handle the cap and how it has cost them having any depth on the team and can't sing impact free agents. A move for Adams is exactly the kind of move that puts us in that situation. I think it's worth it if he is the final piece to make a championship run. But, I don't think we have the OL, pass rush, or depth to make that run.
My concern is that Adams could cost us the draft capital and cap space we need to fix the OL and provide depth and starters at other spots in the next 3 years or more if they have to push a bunch of dead money forward.
I guess that's worth it if you think that Adams turns this team into a Super Bowl contender, but I don't think he does.
And as already mentioned, we had plenty enough weapons to score 40 points the first two games and 24 against Atlanta. So, I don't think it's lack of weapons holding this offense back.
I guess overall I am just not understanding the narrative (or perhaps mental block) with a select few posters that this team isn't in or at least very-near title contention territory.
We have one of the best running games in football currently and one of the best defenses, along with an efficient passer...those three things alone at least make you a threat.
I get it we are injured and need to get healthy, but I am really perplexed as to how a team that was 2-0 and riding high, scoring at will, is suddenly not a contender after two very close, injury-ravaged losses. Is it because of Dennis Allen? Is it because people can't envision us winning with Derek Carr?
We are merely relying on McCoy, Ruiz, and Davis getting healthy to return to form, and if you add a Davante Adams to that mix, we suddenly become extremely dangerous. The 49ers are having an injury-riddled season, and are beatable. Who exactly in the NFC is far and away better than us, and in this context, who exactly in the NFC is far and away better than us with a healthy McCoy, Ruiz, Davis, and a Davante Adams added?
Draft capital is important but at the same time, I am not going to fret giving up a second or a third, especially knowing how hit or super miss our drafts have been as of late. That single draft pick isn't guaranteed to even be used on the positions being pointed out as current needs, and even if it is, it isn't guaranteed to be the immediate answer.
I will also add that I am just not understanding what "State of the roster" some are looking for us to achieve in order to be a title contender or to merely be worthy of being a player in a Davante Adams sweepstakes. Most Super Bowl rosters have weaknesses, but it seems like many are looking for a near flawless, all-star laden 15-2 level roster before finally believing we can do these sorts of things.