The inconsistency in targets and receptions for star wide receiver Davante Adams has been one of the biggest stories of the Las Vegas Raiders’ season so far. Whether it is Jimmy Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer or Aidan O’Connell under center, getting Adams the ball should be a top priority.
But in the last four weeks, Adams has seen seven or fewer targets three times and has totaled just 142 yards on 14 receptions. Adams has voiced his frustration at the struggles of the Raiders offense and was visibly angry late in the Raiders’ loss to the Detroit Lions following multiple missed touchdown opportunities.
Some have wondered whether it is a matter of Garoppolo just not looking his way enough, but the Raiders starting quarterback insists he always knows where Adams is on the field.
“Whenever you get the best receiver in football on your team it’s always in the back of your mind,” Garoppolo said following the 26-14 loss to the Lions. “I mean, I know where he is on every play. From the moment I got here, I mean it’s just it’s a luxury that we have being the quarterback here. You get a guy like that on your team, you want to know where he’s at, you want to know that he wants to ball.”
Adams has definitely made it clear that he wants the ball as the Raiders offense continues to disappoint. The offense mustered just seven points, the same amount that the defense put up thanks to a Marcus Peters interception return for a touchdown, and Adams believes he can help open things up.
There is no doubt he is the team’s top offensive weapon, and Garoppolo knows this as well, but he also made a note that he wants to spread the ball to the team’s other weapons as well.
“So, it’s always in my mind but we have a bunch of playmakers on this team, so I’m trying to get all the ball. Just trying to play point guard and feed them the rock.”
It is a delicate balance between getting Adams the touches he needs while also getting the ball to the likes of Jakobi Meyers and Josh Jacobs, but it must be done, and that falls to Garoppolo and head coach Josh McDaniels.
Other top receivers, such as Tyreek Hill, A.J. Brown, Stefon Diggs and Ja’Marr Chase have no more than one game with seven or fewer targets, and Adams should be in that same category.
