How Davante Adams beats EVERYONE | Film Study

Davante Adams and the Green Bay Packers have been playing angry all season this year in the NFL. The NFC North Leaders and NFC top dogs, top dawg this year has been number seventeen, a.k.a Davante Adams.
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Davante Adams caught his 14th touchdown of the year in week 14, and set a Franchise record with 8 consecutive games with a Touchdown. On top of that, he also became the first player in NFL history to have 90+ catches, 1100+ yards and 14 touchdowns in his teams first 13 games.
Oh yeah….. And he's only played in 11 of them…..
Join us as we look through the elite route runners tape, and break down his record-breaking season.
Releases
One of the most talked-about aspects of Davante Adams game is his hundreds of different releases, and his ability to beat anyone from the line of scrimmage.
But the tape shows a different story.
In fact, it shows that Davante primarily uses 1 release.
17 has mastered a technique called the “Hop Release”.
The hop step is a move off the line where the receiver literally hops, either inside, outside, or heads up, depending on the defensive backs alignment.
The goal is to get your hips square to the DB’s hips, negating the defensive backs leverage advantage, and putting them in a position to fail.
- With the hips square, it allows you to make a move to get inside or outside depending on your called route.
With his hips in a free stance it allows Adams to react to the DB’s movements, and it's what Davante does after his initial release that makes him one of the best receivers in the NFL.
With the defender squared up, he waits for the DB to make his move and then counters it
Nothing that Davante does is premeditated. It’s all reactionary.
This means whatever the defensive back does, they’re wrong. As 17 is going to do the opposite to beat them.
Think of it like a great crossover in basketball, Davanate sets up his man's hips and then when the defender shows the slightest lean in one direction, he counters the opposite way.
And if they freeze, he just blows straight past them.
As you are only hopping and not driving out of your stance, most defensive backs either freeze or hesitate, waiting to see what you’re going to do, or they will try and press you.
In either case, it gives Adams the upper hand, as if he sees the jab coming he can get his feet in the ground before the punch, and make a move.
Play 1 - vs Lions week 14 1Q 0:13
Check out this play against Detroit. The Lions are playing Davante in press, but 17 feels what the corners is going to do by hopping up to his toes, jab stepping outside then giving him a punch as he explodes inside, creating half a yard of separation he needs to make the catch.
Play 2 vs Lions 2Q 13:42
How about this one. Davante is in the slot, working on Jeff Okudah. Adams knows he has an ou t route but the corner is playing with outside leverage making the break to the boundary really tough.
But 17 is an expert at putting the DB where he wants him.
Adams squares up Okudah with his hop release and with Okudah leaning inward, he gives a hard jab step inside, making it look like he’s about to burst across the field. Okudah bites on this, and this gives Adams enough space to hit him with the crossover, breaking outside for an easy completion.
Play 3 - The key with the hop, is it doesn't have to happen at the line of scrimmage. If the corner starts 5 yards off, the receiver has to get themselves a yard off the corners toes, and then make the hop to get the alignment.
This style of release isn’t new to the NFL, players like Doug Baldwin and Chad Ochocinco had it in their lockers, but nobody used it as consistently as Davante.
Press man is the way to combat this style of release against normal receivers…. but Devante isn’t a normal receiver. If you try and press him he will get his feet in the ground before the DB can make contact, and his split second decision making means he already has you beat.
Route Running & Change of direction
Paired with his elite ability to beat anyone off the line of scrimmage, 17 has exceptional route running technique. He can get to full speed in just two steps, stop on a dime, and can make cuts without losing any speed.
Play 4 - @ Niners - 1Q 8:44
Look at this route vs the Niners.
The packers motion MVS across the formation revealing zone coverage. One of the Niners safeties moves down to the LOS revealing a likely cover 3.
Adams runs a hitch here, but look at his ability to get up to full speed in a couple of steps, and then power down to a standstill in less than 2 yards. There are not many knees on the planet that can take that strain.
Check out this route against the eagles. Philly drops back into a cover 3 and Adams is running a 3 step slant, but look at how clean the break is. He doesn’t lose any speed and the zone defenders can’t get near him before the ball has been put in his hands.
#DavanteAdams #GreenBayPackers #AaronRodgers

[@ThinkingFootball]

Thanks for watching! This video took a ridiculously long time to make (70 hours) so if you enjoyed please click the subscribe button, It really helps the channel.

[@Jambajakumba]

This is your year. I love your channel!!!

[@chedbeckford8067]

Great video. Earned a new sub

[@noahsmith812]

how do you get footage from this type of view?

[@duanejames5412]

He had hard first couple years couldn't catch a cold those years but he always had the talent. That's why you stay with guys like that.

[@JabrenHarris98]

Davante Adams is finally in the 99 club 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@Jambajakumba]

All-Pro: Adams, DHop, Hill & Diggs. No question!

[@kingrobinho777]

1. Adams and Hill 2. The rest

[@JabrenHarris98]

@@kingrobinho777 Nah its just Davante now Tyreke got shut down by ATL

[@ryantimmsjr7639]

Easy

[@ryantimmsjr7639]

@jan ching when he's done dancin, maybe

[@johnathanmcintyre9492]

DK?

[@djkinkled273]

Feel bad for the knees, but not as bad as the other guys ankles.

[@js2003]

He has been carrying my fantasy team all year

[@geraldpalmares7977]

A-Rod + Adams= Deadly Duo

[@coach5075]

Im a packers fan so im biased but i think he is the best in the league. if anyone disagrees with that than you gotta agree he is at least a top 3

[@demetriusmelvin2773]

Me too!

[@jthe1337]

Fr he’s rlly good

[@darkestangel6774]

I was kinda hoping you'd cover how he also does hopsteps to secure TD's as well. I've seen it a few times. Rodgers will do a super quick throw when at the 5-10 yard line, throw to Adams instantly, a play that looks dead on arrival as DB's are already blocking the endzone, but he will still do his hopstep with the ball to still punch it in. Great stuff.

[@chedbeckford8067]

Imagine if the packers had moved up further in the draft to take Justin Jefferson

[@demetriusmelvin2773]

I sure wish they would have!

[@williamhermann6635]

Would Jefferson have played defense and stopped those 2 long tds by the Bucs? Offense hasnt been their problem. You dont win Super Bowls without a top defense.

[@yesterdaysover247]

They wanted him

[@tr3yz_12]

@@williamhermann6635 are you dumb? Instead of moving up. they drafted Jordan love who is a qb who plays on offense. He has shown he is not their future qb. Jefferson would have been better at least

[@rainmakerii2610]

Who needs Jefferson when you've got the best.Damn Minnesota ball boy.

[@timbuktoo2]

Just subscribed. Great analysis. Been following GB for almost 45yrs...same colours as Australia. But still learning the game. GO PACK...GO WALLABIES...GO FREMANTLE DOCKERS !!

[@mkkkay4789]

17 won my fantasy league this year. Dude is a straight baller. Getting him tattooed on my ass cheek. Lul

[@meloferg]

Been loving watching these over the holiday break. This is gonna be one of the biggest channels on KZbin next year, I can feel it. Love picking up on these lil tidbits as a student of the game. Keep up the great work. 👏🏽

[@ThinkingFootball]

Thanks for the love! We are working hard to grow the channel! The KZbin algorithm is a tough one to crack!

[@BValt123]

Should talk about how rough his start was

[@beefjukey2694]

I remember how he used to drop everything in 2014-15, thankfully we gave him a chance to improve.

[@Imachowderhead]

Reminds me of MVS

[@aldinmendozaaguilar6596]

Great breakdown, awesome teamwork

[@seffishestopal5950]

Just watched this. I loved it!

[@jimmyxchang]

Beautiful breakdown bro!!

[@garbour456]

Great video man

[@brittdavid8591]

That Was Fire 🔥👊🏾

[@reyhanputra1360]

i love the way you add that drose cross over

[@cacaf8989]

I don't get why people think packers should have drafted a WR. They clinched the number one seed, having a rookie WR is not gonna change that outcome for any better. And plus, Lazard is one of the better run blocking receivers in the game. The guy is tough as nails.

[@brandonmabbitt7515]

Well just think if they had chase claypool on the other side 🤷‍♂️

[@brandonmabbitt7515]

Or Patric Queen at MLB 🤷‍♂️

[@clipcentral2380]

very in-depth film study, you deserve a lot more subscribers bro 🔥🔥

[@ThinkingFootball]

Thanks! Please consider subscribing

[@clipcentral2380]

@@ThinkingFootball yeah i got you

[@obie2hot4you]

this was beautiful

[@boneliquorr]

Good job

[@zion3987]

I wish I could master his hop step

[@DanyBaltazarTV]

His Back hurts he carried my Fantasy 🙌🏻🔥 My Favorite and Best WR

[@mikelake2796]

Adams talks about having "late hands" on one of the NFL mic'd up videos. Could you do a video on the concept of late hands?

[@ThinkingFootball]

We will definitely look in to it!

[@dylanbrunenkant4606]

Late hands means you get your hands in a catch position right before the ball gets to the receiver. The reason this is important is it gives the db less time to make a play on the ball. If you have good late hands, the db won’t be able to make a play on the ball at all.

[@mikelake2796]

@@ThinkingFootball yo cool thanks for responding wow

[@mikelake2796]

@@dylanbrunenkant4606 you're totally correct. I think adams has the latest hands in the game. As seen in his long ball from the eagles game and a couple of the balls in the titans game

[@sharris7034]

WOW 💯

[@niklasheron475]

Oh my god it’s happening! Everybody stay calm!

[@Dis-Emboweled]

Devonte's first two years were pretty tough though. He dropped A LOT of balls. I used to call him Drop-onte. Much improved

[@ike6771]

His name is literally in the title and you still butchered the spelling lol

[@alexohalloran3417]

Cannot wait to see him destroy the Seahawks in the playoffs 🙃🙃🙃

[@devingeer1]

if the hawks can make it. if anything he will destroy the saints for sure. since he didn't get to play against them when he was out. We still beat the saints which makes Gg in my opinon a SB favorite for sure.

[@m4tts._w0rld39]

welp guess were not playing them in the playoffs lmao

[@moseslee742]

Rams are next lol next year warrior

[@devingeer1]

Davante is the best wr in 2020 or maybe all time. hill is good but he cannot compare to taes skill. tae is definitely slower then hill but tae can run a route probably a million times better the hill could ever dream of doing.

[@brandonmabbitt7515]

Hill isn’t even the number 1 option on his own team....

[@masonzlensky2818]

The people that disliked are lions and Vikings fans

[@Serie56sfm]

100%

[@johnmarcplays4851]

And also Bears fans

[@jthockers8117]

😂😂😂😂 don’t forget about da bears😂😂😂

[@NoLust]

How does he keeps speed when he breakdowns it down

[@adamnicoll690]

So basically work on the hop step and hands?

[@gnarboots423]

Yes but you have to be able to get to top speed and stop and go in a short distance for it to be useful, that is the most impressive part of his game to be able to change direction without slowing down

[@jeremiahrhodes8760]

I wonder If I stick with one release and make it look the same

[@ThinkingFootball]

One of the keys to getting open is making all your routes look the same. Practice learning a few releases and making the stem of all your routes identical, practice head faints and cutting points to make them look indistinguishable from eachother - youll be slicing DBs in no time.

[@mgossett34]

No sir as a former receiver that was doing that same move way before Adams he definitely knows what he’s gonna do and where he’s going to go when he lines up

[@J0sh92]

He’s literally said in an interview that is a feel. Meaning he’s doing it’s instinctively. YOU may have been planning what to do, but that doesn’t mean 17 can’t have the skills/reaction to play instinctively based on what the defender gives him

[@CSwain37]

Slide release , haven’t heard hop release but to each is own .

[@ThinkingFootball]

A hop release and a slide release are different things. With the slide release you drag your back foot whereas with the hop both feet leave the ground.

[@CSwain37]

@@ThinkingFootball literally the same thing . It’s not the dragging of the feet that separates it . It’s the same action same purpose many ways to do it , hop slide or even foot fire in a direction same thing . Because if you watch vantea film he does both and they look identical same action on both .

[@krazzier779]

You just gave me more of a reason why Tae can beat J ram on Saturday😁

[@ThinkingFootball]

WR vs DB matchup of the season! I cant wait for it!

[@jthockers8117]

Well this didn’t age well

[@rd-pd8xb]

Raider Nation

[@daviddorger5270]

Ramsey better play him different than he plays other wideouts. 17 is one of those rare ones. Ramsey is really good, he is capable of handling him but he better have a bag of tricks and his A-game or he will get torched

[@swasho2939]

I'm pretty sure Ramsey has been studying hours of tape of him.

[@IAMK1NGB]

Drose hesi 👍🏾👍🏾

[@Misterstinkfinger]

That's only because Doug Baldwin retired. He studied and uses all Baldwin's moves and openly admits it. Not that there's anything wong with that, Baldwin was the master. Hell, Josh Norman is still looking for him today and Hill still walks funny.

[@kassimabdullahi5143]

All pro: Adams, Hill, Diggs, Jefferson, Metcalf.

[@taylormurphy6433]

Well done fellow 🧀 head

[@JoshDavis1016]

Thanks for making this video to shut up the casuals who think Adams is only good because of Rodgers.

[@tomsawyer9919]

Someones a packers fan

[@rhdtv2002]

At the end DA is great with the right QB..there are many WR who do this but they don't have the QB that can deliver at the rate Rodgers does that is why you generally see WR that leave GB never accomplish anything

[@adamjakab5300]

Look at his season when Rodgers was injured. This dude is on another level.

[@brandonmabbitt7515]

Haters gonna hate!

[@inhumanjoey310]

Comin from a basketball point of view that hard jab step tells you the crossover is comin. DB coaches are terrible. Big Play Tay crosses the Db over real quick and skates up field. GoPackGo baby simple as shit

[@brandonmabbitt7515]

DB coaches are terrible? Well he’s done it to all the best CB the last 3 years so gotta be more to it then what you think! And if you know what’s coming then why don’t you play or coach then?

[@boomshakalaka8655]

i know your trying to show highlights of how great he is but those are just amazing throwing by aaron rodgers. If anything its a highlight reel on how good rodgers is. A lot of those plays u are showing hes not getting any separation most qbs aren't gonna put the ball on the money like rodgers does in tight windows. Adams is a good wrs but hes not great. Rodgers makes him seem great. But he also done with several other average wrs. THe one thing adams does have is very good hands. But everything else is just pretty average. That jump step is nothing new lots of wrs do it but they don't have rodgers throwing to them either. Hes only had 2 years in the nfl over 1000 yards btw. And thats pretty much it. In 2019 only 997 and 5 tds on 127 passes. what he did last year he will never do it again. Mainly because almost all of their wrs were injured. Hes more of number 2 wr that rodgers made into number 1 wr. I would say on my teams in the nfl adams is number 2 wr. When packers top wrs leave they struggle.

[@MrFrazierCampbell]

Quick answer, he screams at the red for a flag

[@evanjanse4038]

God bless, Jesus loves you

[@csaber2007]

He has willed himself into one the best wide receivers..he wasn’t the best in his first couple seasons..

[@yoboyzamasu3301]

He is top 2 not 2

[@crunkalac]

I mean the guy has a 99 rating in Madden so...

[@brandonmabbitt7515]

Yea as of 4-5 weeks ago. So what’s your point?

[@chriskeel3096]

GB still bout to find a way to NOT play in another superbowl

[@chrisgarrett9727]

Says a vikings fan

[@brandonmabbitt7515]

Yet the Vikings find a way not to get to a SB every year! Clown

[@chriskeel3096]

@@brandonmabbitt7515 pretty sure i highlighted that im a bucs fan.......... reading is fundamental

[@TravelerVolkriin]

@@chriskeel3096 Still no room to talk. 😳

[@abelardosanchez6336]

Dhop is better. Rips the ball between defenders

[@frankievelasco1738]

Not this year.

[@johnringolll4517]

Dhop does nothing better

[@aznboymix559]

Not this year nut hugger. Lol

[@brandonmabbitt7515]

If any WR was better they wouldn’t get traded for a bag of chips

[@erimgard3128]

"It's all reactionary, nothing is premeditated" This is the second video I've seen based on this premise, and Davante himself has said it's not true.

[@justinkanicki8044]

Bill belichick is the first coach to win seven championships on a Sunday while eating shrimp and walking his dog while his wife is washing the car and his kids are studying to take the ASVAB test