Rams' 26 most important players for 2026 – No. 6: WR Davante Adams
· Yahoo Sports
With Cooper Kupp on the decline, the Los Angeles Ramsdecided to part ways with the former Super Bowl MVP and bring in another veteran, Davante Adams. They signed Adams after he was cut by the New York Jets, bringing him back to California and pairing him with Puka Nacua to create one of the best receiver duos in football.
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Though it took some time for him to develop chemistry with Matthew Stafford, especially after the veteran QB dealt with back issues in camp, Adams went on to lead the NFL with 14 touchdown catches in only 14 games.
The Rams considered trading him away for A.J. Brown this offseason but decided to keep him for the final year of his contract, hoping to get Adams that elusive Super Bowl ring. He nearly cracked the top five of our most important players list, coming in at No. 6.
How he got here
Just before the start of 2025 free agency, the Rams made a big splash by signing Adams to a two-year, $44 million contract. He was still considered a premier player despite his production slipping with the Raiders and Jets, so the Rams brought him aboard and gave Stafford yet another weapon on the outside.
Adams is entering the final year of his contract, so it's possible he'll hit free agency in 2027 if the Rams don't extend him beforehand.
2025 stats
14 games (14 starts): 114 targets, 60 catches, 789 yards, 14 touchdowns
Projected role
Adams has mostly been an outside receiver throughout his career, playing the X spot on offense. That remained the case in 2025, lining up out wide for 452 snaps compared to only 87 in the slot. That's not going to change in 2026 because forcing Adams into the slot more would take away what he does best.
He's a rare receiver who can win quickly and consistently on the outside against man coverage, using his sharp route-running and quickness to create separation off the line. And while he's never been a burner, he knows how to separate from defenders at the tops of his routes to get open for his quarterback.
Look for Adams to remain a major contributor for the Rams this season, specifically as a boundary receiver out wide.
One thing to know
Adams' 83.9 receiving grade was his highest since 2022 and it ranked eighth among all wide receivers with at least 100 targets. He did struggle with bringing the ball in at times, dropping nine passes on the year to tie for the most among wideouts, but he also led the league with 14 touchdowns – the third time he's done so in his career.
Why he's important
Adams unlocks a part of the offense with his ability to win one-on-one against outside corners. He's someone Stafford can target no matter the coverage, knowing his guy will find a way to battle for the ball and get open. Adams' greatest value is in the red zone where he dominated inside the 5-yard line, essentially becoming a cheat code because corners couldn't cover him on their own.
Throwing the ball to him inside the 5-yard line became similar to handing it off to a running back, particularly in the second half of the season. He and Stafford developed a strong connection on the field, making some throws look easy despite tight coverage.
Nacua is obviously the Rams' top playmaker but he's at his best when moving around the formation and running routes from the slot. Adams is a different type of receiver who wins on iso routes and owns intermediate throws down the sideline and over the middle.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams' 26 most important players for 2026 – No. 6: WR Davante Adams