Packers WR Davante Adams is NFL’s top explosive-play creator

zach kruse

Wed, Oct 20, 2021, 1:05 PM·2 min read

No NFL receiver has created more big plays through six games this season than Davante Adams of the Green Bay Packers.

Adams might not be the fastest receiver or the league’s top deep threat, but no one is producing more explosive plays.

The Packers define an “explosive” passing play as any completion of at least 16 yards. Through six weeks, Adams is No. 1 in the NFL with 16 catches of at least 16 yards.

Other teams might define an explosive play as 20 or more yards. Well, Adams is the leader there, too. He has an NFL-best 12 catches of at least 20 yards.

Don’t be surprised if he adds to his total on Sunday. Washington has given up the most completions of 16 or more yards (41) through six games.

Adams currently leads the NFL in receiving yards with 668. Of his 668 yards, 452 have come on catches of at least 16 yards, or roughly 68 percent.

Rookie Ja’Marr Chase leads the league in catches on throws traveling at least 20 yards in the air with eight, but Adams isn’t too far behind with six.

Big plays don’t always require deep attempts.

Many of Adams’ explosive plays have come on intermediate throws with run after the catch, such as Sunday’s 32-yard catch on a slant route from the slot. He has a mind-meld connection with Aaron Rodgers, and he is excellent at creating immediate separation off the line of scrimmage, which often provides easy throws and opportunities to create chunk plays after the catch.