Davante Adams
Summary
Davante Adams was selected in Round 2 (#53 Overall) in the 2014 Draft out of Fresno State University. Adams entered the NFL with a polished receiving skill set: sure hands, excellent body control, contested‑catch ability, and a refined route‑running profile. While not a pure burner, his game featured elite traits in the catch‑zone and after the catch, which allowed him to become a top‑tier wide receiver. Even early scouting reports noted some limitations—namely his speed and his blocking—but the trajectory was clear: high‑end starter with No. 1 potential. In his career, Adams has earned multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro accolades and has led the league in touchdowns on two separate occassions.
Strengths
Reliable hands and contested‑catch ability: Adams consistently shows the ability to make difficult grabs, including high‑pointing receptions and one‑handed catches in traffic. Bleacher Report
Excellent body control and catch‑radius use: He uses his frame well to box out defenders, adjust to the ball in the air, and win contested throws.
Polished route‑running and separation‑creation: While not the fastest, Adams displays refined footwork, sharp stems, and an ability to create separation via route craft rather than pure speed.
Dangerous after the catch / YAC ability: Once the ball is in his hands, Adams regularly turns short or intermediate receptions into chunk plays, showing impressive vision and strength.
Huge production and consistency: Coming out of Fresno State, Adams’ college numbers and the way he won in multiple alignments projected well to the next level and he has continued to produce regardless of his offensive scheme or quarterback situations in Green Bay, Las Vegas, New York, and Los Angeles.
Weaknesses
Lacks elite top‑end speed / burner profile: Adams is “quicker than fast” and while his burst and acceleration were very good, he wasn’t a true deep‑burn threat in the way some receivers are. Bleacher Report
Size and physicality somewhat limited for boundary outside role: While having good frame for his type, reports flagged that he wasn’t the biggest or most physically dominant receiver when matched up with big, long, press‑corners.
Release vs press coverage and root‑level polish in early college tape: Some scouts pointed out that in college his route tree was narrower, he had fewer reps against elite competition, and his release/stem needed development. Bleacher Report
Blocking and physical engagement in run game were less refined: As a receiver primarily known for his pass‑catching excellence, his blocking and in‑line physicality weren’t as celebrated, which could limit usage in heavy run‑blocking schemes. Bleacher Report
Fit & Outlook
Adams fits best in a passing offense that values precision, timing, contested‑catch wins, and YAC generation — a system where he can be used as a primary or co‑primary receiver. He thrives when paired with a quarterback who can deliver the ball accurately, especially in areas where he can use his contested‑catch ability (middle of the field, sideline leans, red zone) and when the offense designs plays that exploit his route‑craft rather than relying purely on separation via speed. He is slightly less ideal in a system that requires the outside receiver to constantly dominate via high‑end sprint speed or to act as a perimeter blocker on heavy run‑games. Looking ahead, his outlook is outstanding. His floor is as a dependable first‑or‑second‑option receiver who can produce 800‑1,000+ yards and multiple touchdowns per season. His upside is among the very best at the position: in the right system and health, he has been a No. 1 receiver for over a decade who influences the passing game at an elite level. The primary risks revolve around injuries, regression in athleticism, or landing in a scheme that misuses his strengths (e.g., expecting him to out‐speed defenders rather than out‑craft them). Given how his career has developed, Adams has far more upside than downside and has already validated much of his pre‑draft promise.