It is conceivable the biggest disappointment on the entire Green Bay Packers roster last season was Davante Adams. His lack of development after a good rookie season was a huge factor in the offense’s lackluster campaign. The Packers ability to send out a quality 3rd receiver is going to make a major impact on their ability to return to being one of the best offenses in the league.
Adams was called out for his lack of preparation during the season. By all accounts he has taken that to heart this offseason, by showing up to offseason workouts in tremendous shape. It will be important for him to get on the same page with Aaron Rodgers early, to help re-develop rapport, and to show he is committed to being a professional football player. Hopefully, he will play mad this season and spend less time playing Madden.
With Jordy Nelson occupying the defense’s attention on one side of the field and Randall Cobb and Jared Cook in the middle, Adams should have a lot of one-on-one opportunities. Rodgers has historically taken advantage of those matchups, and with an improved Adams the connection should flourish. His additional strength, combined with his athletic gifts will allow him to win on the jump balls and quick slants Rodgers loves throwing in the Red Zone.
There has been talk about Adams having to fight for his roster position this offseason. I believe his drops were largely caused by his timing being off on routes, and not being in good position when the ball arrived. My belief is Davante Adams will lock up his roster spot very early, win the 3rd WR spot, and turn into a more athletic version of James Jones. I foresee a season where Adams has between 12-14 Touchdowns and around 1,000 yards receiving.
This is part 2 of my Bold Predictions Series. I’ll review these predictions at the midpoint and end of the season, so everyone can praise or rip me unmercilessly.
Andrew Mertig is a a lifelong Packers fan and draft enthusiast. He has covered the NFL draft for radio and television stations in Green Bay. He is currently a host of the Pack-A-Day podcast and a writer for PackersTalk.com. You can follow him on Twitter @andrewmertig
18 responses to “Bold Predictions: Davante Adams will lead the team in TD Catches”
I kinda agree. That he will improve. But I think that so will all the other returning WR’s. Its hard to get yards when you share the snaps with other receivers.
True a very bold statement indeed.
Very true. Adams could end up getting caught up in a numbers game. Personally, I still have my doubts about Janis and Abby taking a huge step forward because we didn’t see them do it during the regular season last year.
I think Adams will rebound from his bad year. Problem is, Janis, Abbrederis and Montgomery will all be improved as well. Adams is going to be hard pressed to hold off the challenge from them to retain WR3 job. Janis is much more physically talented than he is so if Janis acts like a professional as much as Adams does, it won’t matter. Abbrederis has impecably work habits and is ALWAYS where he is supposed to be when he’s supposed to be there. That doesn’t go unnoticed by the coaches or Rodgers.
Personally, I think Adams starts the year as the WR3, but eventually loses the job to Janis later in the season. Not that Adams will have done anything wrong, just that Janis makes more happen.
As for leading the team in TD receptions? Not a chance! Maybe 4th in TD rec on the team.
Adams isn’t as good of a route runner as Abby, and he’s not as athletic as Janis. But I think he combines enough of the two to give him an advantage over both. Still could come down to Adams not getting enough snaps to make as big an impact as I’ve predicted.
Nah, I don’t see Adams leading the team in receptions OR TD’s. He has to catch the ball consistently first. Just because he’s shown up in camp does NOT translate to production on the field in game time with the crowds roaring and a DB in his face and we’re not talking camp competition then, it’s first stringers banging him. I thought Ty Montgomery had outplayed Adams last season even before either was injured and Janis and Abbrederis PROVED they deserved opportunities.
I thought Adams caught the ball consistently his rookie year. Last season was not good, but I thought the drops came from poor preparation and then over-thinking everything. I look for those to subside this year.
Montgomery has the skills to be very good. I didn’t think Janis or Abby proved themselves last year. They looked good in limited opportunities (that’s on the coaches more than them). Certainly will be interesting with all the potential at the position this year.
Janis had a Jordy Nelson game in the playoff game vs. Cardinals–without Abbrederis and Janis–Packers are blown out by Cards, they kept the pass offense going. When the team put the pressure on’em, both players stepped up, you can’t say that about Adams–when the team needed him to step up with Nelson and Montgomery out and Cobb double teamed, Jones unable to get separation–Adams was dropping the ball. GB doesn’t need another Jarrett Boykin or Brandon Bostick.
Nah, I don’t see Adams leading the team in receptions OR TD’s. He has to catch the ball consistently first. Just because he’s shown up in camp does NOT translate to production on the field in game time with the crowds roaring and a DB in his face and we’re not talking camp competition then, it’s first stringers banging him. I thought Ty Montgomery had outplayed Adams last season even before either was injured and Janis and Abbrederis PROVED they deserved opportunities.
In 2012 James Jones cleaned up catching 14 TD’s as the Packers 3rd or 4th WR. Last year once again Jones showed what being on the same page as Rodgers will do for your TD Totals. In 2012 Jennings missed half the season playing in 8 games starting 5. Nelson played in 12 games starting 10 and they still had Finley and Driver though Driver’s age caught up to him.
If Adams did what he should have in the off season I see no reason why he can’t rebound like Andrew suggests, though just because of the number of WR who might make the team, 12-14 TD’s might be tough. He was drafted in part because of his ability to win “Jump Balls” so that may help.
Personally I wouldn’t be surprised if Montgomery put up those numbers if he reports to TC healthy and ready to go. I think Monty will be a STAR in this offense and yes I know, he’ll be used more in the slot. But the Packers use everybody everywhere and with the addition of Cook this just might be one of the best offenses McCarthy has ever had.
I will beat this drum until the end of the season and I’m proved wrong. Having a position coach can’t be underestimated enough. The Packers had three 2nd year WR’s and one Rookie WR last season with no coach, WTF McCarthy!! From one through five or one through six the Packers will have the best and deepest WR group in the NFL. And Adams will be right there near the top of the Packers receivers in several categories.
I really like Montgomery as well. Just hope he can stay healthy.
I understood the idea of putting the QBs and the WRs in the same meeting room, but it was not well thought out to have no WR Coach.
AR doesn’t throw jump balls, but having strong hands and the ability to jump and highpoint the ball will still be useful traits. I think the author’s suggestion that Adams dropped passes because his timing was off is not a strong argument. He has no history of dropping balls, and I think it is more likely that last year things just snowballed on him. And slants? Not so much in general, and not in particular to Adams.
In 2012 James Jones cleaned up catching 14 TD’s as the Packers 3rd or 4th WR. Last year once again Jones showed what being on the same page as Rodgers will do for your TD Totals. In 2012 Jennings missed half the season playing in 8 games starting 5. Nelson played in 12 games starting 10 and they still had Finley and Driver though Driver’s age caught up to him.
If Adams did what he should have in the off season I see no reason why he can’t rebound like Andrew suggests, though just because of the number of WR who might make the team, 12-14 TD’s might be tough. He was drafted in part because of his ability to win “Jump Balls” so that may help.
Personally I wouldn’t be surprised if Montgomery put up those numbers if he reports to TC healthy and ready to go. I think Monty will be a STAR in this offense and yes I know, he’ll be used more in the slot. But the Packers use everybody everywhere and with the addition of Cook this just might be one of the best offenses McCarthy has ever had.
I will beat this drum until the end of the season and I’m proved wrong. Having a position coach can’t be underestimated enough. The Packers had three 2nd year WR’s and one Rookie WR last season with no coach, WTF McCarthy!! From one through five or one through six the Packers will have the best and deepest WR group in the NFL. And Adams will be right there near the top of the Packers receivers in several categories.
My prediction is that he does not even make the roster.
That’s a possibility. With TT’s propensity to keep his own draft picks, I think it would take a lot for that to happen though.
I hope I’m wrong, but wow, he needs to really take a big step forward from last season. Jones was better than Adams and no one wants him. Never realized he was so slow and that he was the player singled out last season for spending so much time playing video games.
I’m not sure about Adams’ success overall as # 3 because he may not have the grit. As to leading in touchdowns, I just can’t see that.
Adams had such a great career at Fresno State,more especially his senior year. I would bet if you asked David Carr what the problem has been so far with Davante he’d be shocked too.Jordy took a little while to adjust and then he had that breakout season. Here’s hoping this is Davante’s year yo shine. GO PACK GO!!!