How Raiders WR Davante Adams uses his brain to beat DBs

“The thing that makes Davante very special is up here,” he said Monday.

In a 22-16 overtime win over the Broncos on Sunday, Adams’ mentality was evident on his 35-yard touchdown catch on the game’s closing play.

“Route-running is really just about the sameness within each route,” Adams said after the victory. “If they see something that was very similar, I try to give that look basically. That’s why (Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II) dived over the top the way he did. He thought he had the jump on it.”

Adams fooled Surtain II, a 22-year-old budding star, throughout the game, finishing with seven catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns.  

Adams, who turns 30 in December, often uses deception and smarts to beat younger defensive backs such as Surtain.

Over the past three games, Adams has 26 receptions for 413 yards and five receiving touchdowns. He clearly has shown why the Raiders shipped their 2022 first-round pick to the Packers to get him in March. 

Adams has 10 receiving touchdowns this season.

“He’s a special player,” McDaniels said.

Adams demonstrates why speed isn’t the only weapon to deploy against DBs.