Since being drafted in 2014, star wide receiver Davante Adams has made an impact on the Packers offense every year. This past season was no different, where he racked up 997 yards and five Touchdowns on 83 receptions. He battled some injuries and played in only 12 games, but still established himself as the team’s number one receiver. Could the 2020 season be the year he establishes himself as one of the organization’s greatest wide receivers? We take a deeper dive into what records he’s in line to break, and how he can attain them.
Single Season Reception Record

Since Adams was drafted out of Fresno State, he rapidly established himself as one of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite targets. In his first 3 seasons he increased his reception total by at least 31% (38, 50, 75). Throughout his career, he’s averaged 54 receptions, and his highest single season total was in 2018 with 111 receptions. He has a chance to break the team’s all-time single season reception record, and it’s possible he becomes third on the team for most career receptions.
In the 2018 season, he was already close to breaking the single season record. His 111 receptions were second on the team, behind Sterling Sharpe’s 112 catches in 1993. When General Manager Brian Gutekunst released star wide receiver Jordy Nelson, Adams quickly became Rodgers’ favorite target. For that, he received 169 targets and had a 65.7% catch rate in 15 games. He was on pace to break the record had he not injured his knee in week 15 against the Jets. If he catches 113 passes this year, he will break the team’s single season reception record.
Career Receptions In The Organization
Between 2014-2019, he’s caught 431 passes on 694 targets, and is ranked ninth on the team in career receptions. If Adams repeats his 2018 season, even with just 100 receptions, he would be fourth on the team in receptions. He’d be behind some of the greats such as Donald Driver (743), Sterling Sharpe (595), and Jordy Nelson (550). He’d surpass 2003 Hall of Fame inductee wide receiver James Lofton, who has 530 receptions, to be fourth on the team. To pass up Jordy Nelson and become third on the team he would have to catch 120 passes this season.
An interesting fact is he’s reached eighth in receptions in a team low 86 career games. Adding 100 receptions and playing 16 weeks, he will be top four in receptions with still the least amount of games played. At the end of this next season, he would have 531 receptions in only 102 games where the next closest wide receiver is Randall Cobb with 105. Adams’ receptions per game career average is 5.0, three tenths shy of Sterling Sharpe’s 5.3 receptions per game.
All in All, Davante Adams could have a monumental season by breaking the team’s single season reception record. In addition, he’d rank third in receptions, and have the highest average receptions per game at 5.4 if he catches 120 passes. Considering he’s the only active player in the top ten, he can easily climb the list and establish himself as one of Green Bay’s greatest wide receivers.
What Are His Chances This Season?

Davante Adams is set to face the second easiest schedule for a number one receiver. The team plays all but 3 weeks, a schedule where the defense does not shadow the number one receiver. Also, the team plays a handful of teams that have subpar pass defenses. More specifically, they play the Buccaneers in week six, the Texans in week seven, and the Lions in weeks two and fourteen.
Buccaneers
Last season, the Buccaneers allowed both a league high of 3,176 receiving yards, and 240 receptions. In addition, they were third in allowing 21 receiving touchdowns. They addressed their secondary by drafting Big Ten’s top defensive back in Antoine Winfield Jr. out of Minnesota. Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady may just battle it out, giving Adams a chance to have over 10 catches and 100+ yards receiving.
Texans
The Houston Texans have had a bewildering offseason when they traded away their star wide receiver Deandre Hopkins. In addition, they signed former packer Randall Cobb to a three year $27M contract, and promoted defensive line coach Jim Weaver to defensive coordinator. Although they will look different on both sides of the ball, their defensive back positions stay relatively the same. Cornerback Bradley Roby may shadow Davante Adams, but with his outstanding route running and shadowing cornerback history, Adams can certainly get 10 receptions and 80+ yards in this game.
Lions
The Detroit Lions gave up the league’s second most receiving yards, and Adams has had their number. In his last four games, Adams had a combined total of 29 receptions, 317 receiving yards, and 4 touchdowns. Cornerback Darius Slay signed with the Eagles this offseason (Adams will see him week 13), but they did sign free agent Desmond Trufant. Luckily though, Trufant’s not a cornerback that often shadows a team’s number one receiver. Once again, Adams could easily obtain over 10 catches and 100+ yards receiving in each game.
Since he was drafted, Davante Adams has dominated on the field. This year he has the opportunity to achieve a few career milestones and break the single season reception record. As the number one receiver, the offense potentially being in a few shootouts this season, and by staying healthy Adams has a chance of having his best season yet.
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