The trade for Davante Adams is beneficial to the Raiders. (0:51) Sure, there were Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper. His best days were spent in San Francisco, but he was too inconsistent and suffered from the dropsies too much. What about Jordy Nelson? He still had the White Lightning moves, but slowed and was getting caught from behind. The aftershocks of Antonio Brown's training camp implosion and release were still being felt two years later in the streets of Silver and Blackdom. The life of a woman and her dog were lost as a result of a high-speed car crash by Henry Rugg III, who was under the influence of alcohol. DeSean Jackson never vibed. Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has had a lot of names to throw the ball. Carr has his first true, still-in-his-prime No. 1 receiver, and he also has a familiar and comforting face. The Raiders made free-agent signings.
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What you need to know about the Las Vegas Raiders:
Adams might be the first alpha wideout in his prime who wants to be a Raider since Tim Brown. Randy Moss doesn't count because.
Last season, Adams set single-season franchise records for the Packers in catches (123) and receiving yards (1,553) and became just the sixth player in league history with 120-plus catches, 1,500-plus yards and 11-plus touchdown catches in the same season.
Adams is the only player in the history of the NFL to have three seasons of at least 120 catches, 1,350-plus receiving yards and 11 or more touchdown catches.
The soon-to-be-31-year-old Carr, meanwhile, is coming off a career-best 4,804 passing yards, though he was picked off a career-worst 14 times and was sacked a career-high 40 times behind a rebuilt offensive line.
The rub is here.
Unless the Raiders shore up the front and give Carr time, who is running routes for him will not matter.
The acquisition of Adams was a boon for the Raiders, whose offense will be new for all involved.
The Denver Broncos acquiring quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks and signing edge rusher Randy Gregory is the biggest splash yet in an ever-increasing group of talent in the AFC West.
With Adams coming to Las Vegas and signing a five-year contract, an extension for Carr, who is entering the final year of his five-year, $125 million deal, has to be in the offing. Why would Adams come to Southern Nevada if he didn't hook up with his college friend?
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The Raiders in general are a dominating pass-catching corps, thanks to Adams. Hunter Renfrow is a slot man. One of the most dangerous tight ends in the game isDarren Waller. As a receiver possession and red zone target, Bryan Edwards can continue to grow. Same with Foster Moreau. Mack Hollins is a versatile free-agent pickup.
The Raiders were sitting and twiddling their thumbs while the rest of the division was busy with legal tampering this week. They were trying to get their time.
The Raiders went all-in on Adams, trading their first and second-round picks in this year's draft, and acquiring a prolific pass-rusher in Chandler Jones to pair with Maxx Crosby.
There are no excuses if the O-line protects Carr. Again.
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