NFL Exec Questions If Rams' Davante Adams is Willing to Do 'Dirty Work' Late in Career

Veteran wide receiver Davante Adams is at the back-end of his prime, and some are wondering about his fit with the Los Angeles Rams after signing a two-year deal with the team this offseason.

The Athletic's Mike Sando explained that Rams head coach Sean McVay's offensive scheme "often puts receivers in condensed sets and features them as blockers." When Sando asked an NFL executive if Adams could have a similar career trajectory to legendary wideout Larry Fitzgerald, they expressed some doubts.

"Larry was willing to get rugged, block, do some dirty work over the middle," the exec said.

The Rams opted to release longtime receiver Cooper Kupp after signing Adams. The 32-year-old will be paired with third-year wide receiver Puka Nacua in a passing attack led by veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. The exec suggested that Nacua should remain the primary option even though Adams still sees himself as a No. 1 receiver.

"Davante is a little better separator (than Kupp), but there has been a dropoff in his ability to get consistently open," the exec said.

After a disappointing 2024 season split between the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets, Adams will surely be motivated to prove his doubters wrong in his first year with a Rams team that is hoping to contend for a Super Bowl title.