By: John Steinbrecher and Hershy Kulkarni
After a long spring fraught with COVID-19 worries and racial tensions, Jamal Adams broke into the news-cycle with a cryptic Instagram post accusing his current team, the New York Jets, of “a lot of talk, no action”. Despite being an outspoken superstar on the verge of a market-setting contract with rocky relations with his team, Adams’ future with the team was never seriously questioned, as Field Yates eloquently puts it. However, this situation devolved into a trade demand Thursday. According to Adam Schefter, Adams specifically demanded a trade to one of 7 teams in the NFL (6 of which made the playoffs and both Super Bowl teams — go figure). It’s worth noting that he was previously shopped in the trade deadline last fall, with the Cowboys being the finalist before negotiations fell apart. The rumored asking compensation at the time was a first round pick and 2 second round picks. Given a more delicate situation and less time on his current contract, Adams’ value has likely taken a small hit. However, as a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro at just 24 years old, he remains a premier talent at a position with premium importance in today’s pass-first league. With literally nothing else going on right now (okay, fine, other than Korean baseball), there is nothing more fun than overanalyzing the absolute hell out of this and playing the Jamal Adams Sweepstakes.
Dallas Cowboys
2021–2022 Projected Salary Cap: $33.7m (source)
Why he fits:
- For Cowboys fans, a Jamal Adams acquisition would be the ultimate wet dream they’ve had since last season’s trade deadline setback, when they just missed out on acquiring Adams. Their secondary took a hit this offseason with the departure of Byron Jones, but frankly, even with Jones, it was never anything more than an average unit. Their current safeties are Xavier Woods and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, a pairing creating an unremarkable tandem in the secondary. Adams would slide in for Clinton-Dix, an obviously immediate upgrade to the defense.
- The two teams have been linked for quite some time and Jerry Jones is not afraid to make a splash when he sees there is a desperate need for the Cowboys as he proved when he spent a first rounder on Amari Cooper. Even after that acquisition, Jerry hasn’t been afraid to shell out the cash needed to sign Adams to a long-term extension. Jerry has already signed Amari Cooper to a massive deal, along with running back Ezekiel Elliott. All of that even ignores the elephant in the room regarding Dak Prescott’s contract. Jerryworld has and will spend money for new shiny toys. Adams would be fine on this front.
Why he doesn’t:
- Cap space is the main limiting factor with this one. It is still yet to be seen what kind of a contract quarterback Dak Prescott will receive. Given the current rumors that have been floated regarding it, the deal could be anywhere in the realm of 35 to 40 million per year. After such a massive hit to the cap, there is going to be very little ammo left for a contract extension for Adams after this year. This ultimately makes it difficult to see this working out.
- The team has very high hopes for Xavier Woods, especially after DC Mike Nolan made it clear the defense would have a much more aggressive mentality in 2020. If they pull the trigger on Adams, Clinton-Dix becomes the odd man out. While a cheap contract to eat, it’s unlikely the Cowboys replace an above-average player (#19 rated safety by PFF) like Clinton-Dix.
Overall fit: C-
Baltimore Ravens
2021–2022 Projected Salary Cap: $55.2m (source)
Why he fits:
- The Ravens have the best secondary in the league, no question. Last year, PFF ranked the defense number 9 in the league and the team allowed the 5th lowest passer rating in the league. After another year of chemistry with most starters returning, they can certainly develop further. After the addition of Marcus Peters, they were first in yards per reception, and second in passer rating. Adding Adams would create an embarrassment of riches in that backfield.
- Adams would slide in in a Kam Chancellor role to Earl Thomas in a reboot of the Legion of Boom (Marcus Peters <> Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas <> Earl Thomas, Jamal Adams <> Kam Chancellor). This defense that would be prepared to shut down the league opposite a run heavy offense.
- The Ravens are a young talented team with a wide open Super Bowl window and acquiring Jamal Adams now would be a centerpiece to build the secondary around for years to come. They would immediately become Super Bowl contenders and, with a projected $55m in projected cap space in 2021, the Ravens can afford to pair Adams and Marcus Peters (who just signed a 3 year extension) and solidify 2 key secondary positions for the long run.
Why he doesn’t:
- With two drafts under his belt now, we still don’t know whether Eric DeCosta is the type of general manager to go out and make an aggressive trade the likes required for a player like Jamal Adams. He shied away from the Jalen Ramsey bonanza last year and stayed disciplined in acquiring a cheaper option in Marcus Peters. With Jamal Adams being in a similar situation to Ramsey where a trade would likely cost multiple first round picks along with the money for a long-term deal. It wouldn’t be surprising to see DeCosta maintain the financial discipline and look elsewhere.
Overall fit: A+
Houston Texans
2021–2022 Projected Salary Cap: $12.8m (source)
Why he fits:
- The Texans defense has a whole lot of unproven talent in the secondary. After letting starting strong safety Tashuan Gipson go in free agency, there’s an obvious hole at the position to fill. Even otherwise, there isn’t a clear starter at any of the positions outside of Justin Reid, a relatively unproven free safety. With an above average front seven, Jamal Adams would catapult this defense into top 15–20 range.
Why he doesn’t:
- Bill O’Brien is allergic to acquiring good players for his team and, therefore, makes the Texans a poor fit for Jamal Adams. Enough said.
- The Texans have very few draft picks to trade with in 2021. With no picks in the first two rounds, the chances of this trade happening is slim to none. Unless BOB goes rogue and trades players for the draft capital required to acquire Adams, this basically won’t happen.
- Houston’s contract situation is tenuous at best. They just signed Laremy Tunsil to a market-setting $22m APY contract. With Watson’s soon-to-be record breaking contract on the horizon as well, there’s no fiscal sense in adding another mega contract to the team.
Overall fit: D
Kansas City Chiefs
2021–2022 Projected Salary Cap: $33.3m (source)
Why he fits:
- This would be a major addition to a team whose defense already showed great strides in coming together as a unit during the Chiefs Super Bowl run. Adding Jamal Adams to this already loaded roster would certainly lock the Chiefs in as favorites to win the Super Bowl once again this year. The secondary was the only weak point of the team and it appeared to improve more and more as the year went on. This would be the equivalent of a twelve year old making his dream team on Madden, the Chiefs would be taking an already loaded roster and just adding some more icing on the cake.
Why he doesn’t:
- The cap situation is the biggest problem here. Adams would be a fantastic one year rental for a team that was able to retain most of their Super Bowl winning roster. However, with Patrick Mahomes about to break records with his contract, it would be almost impossible for them to keep Jamal Adams after this year with the massive money that Mahomes is going to make. Unless Adams is looking to ring chase for the year with the Chiefs, I can’t see any way to fit Adams’ and his future albatross of a contract on Kansas City’s books. The Chiefs are going to need to keep bringing young cheap talent in the years to come. Safety is already a position where the Chiefs are very strong at, with Tyrann Mathieu, an All-Pro, and Juan Thorhill, whose fantastic rookie year was cut short by injury. It would be an embarrassment of riches but generally pretty unlikely.
Overall fit: D-
Philadelphia Eagles
2021–2022 Projected Salary Cap: -$51.8m (source)
Why he fits:
- The Eagles secondary is generally questionable across the board. Outside of All-Pro Darius Slay and promising rookie K’Von Wallace, there are question marks littered across the backfield. There’s no doubt Jamal Adams would be an immediate update for the defense.
Why he doesn’t:
- The Eagles are one of the most respected teams when it comes to cap management in the NFL. They manage to stay relevant year after year despite aging players and contracts from the remnants of their Super Bowl run in 2017. This, coupled with the new CBA, could provide some flexibility when it comes to player contract negotiation. However, the initial shock value of -$50m in projected cap space in 2021 means that, as it is, significant and important decisions will have to be made regarding their roster. Adding an expensive piece like Jamal Adams might not be a problem they want to have.
- Jamal Adams is a questionable fit with the team. Specifically a box safety in the league, the Eagles made an investment in that position with the acquisition of three players. While they are cheap, all are young and in the aggregate, are probably good enough to render the position stable for Philly in 2020.
Overall fit: D-
San Francisco 49ers
2021–2022 Projected Salary Cap: $44.6m (source)
Why he fits:
- Adding another stud defender to an already elite defense (Football Outsiders named the 2019 49ers as the 7th best defense of the entire decade) is awesome and cool and why not! Opposing offenses would have heart palpitations playing against a defense of: Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Javon Kinlaw, Kwon Alexander, Fred Warner, Richard Sherman, Jaquiski Tartt, and Jamal Adams.
- GM John Lynch has a penchant for being aggressive trading when needed. The very same day Joe Staley retired, Lynch pulled the trigger on a trade for Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams. He’s also the orchestrator of the infamous trade back with the Chicago Bears in the 2017 Draft, his rookie season as GM. While the outcomes of that draft were less than ideal, it signaled his aggressive mentality in managing team talent. If any GM would have the balls to make a trade of this significance, it’s John Lynch.
Why he doesn’t:
- The 49ers already have an excellent strong safety in Jaquiski Tartt. He has great chemistry with Jimmie Ward in the backfield and already has great knowledge of the playbook. There’s an old saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. This defense is anything but broke (#2 in DVOA), and Jamal Adams might not be worth all the draft capital.
- Strengthening a strength is a bonafide winning strategy in the NFL (ie Chiefs’ skill positions) but safety might not be the position to do it. There might be more value in gathering more talent along the line of scrimmage to develop a lethal stable of youth to maintain this Super Bowl contending roster.
Overall fit: C+
Seattle Seahawks
2021–2022 Projected Salary Cap: $63.1m (source)
Why he fits:
- Seattle is in desperate need of secondary help. Other than Quandre Diggs and Shaquill Griffin, the playmakers on Seattle’s secondary is anyone’s guess. Marquise Blair was good in flashes but has yet to receive an increased role. Right now, CB2 is Quinton Dunbar, who’s awaiting news on a court case and his availability this season is up in the air.
- Adams would free up Quandre Diggs to either play more coverage to help the corners or also play free safety while allowing Adams to help the weak defensive line put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
- Having Jamal Adams would be a huge boost to the Seattle defense when they match up against division rival 49ers. In a team whose offense is largely driven by tight end George Kittle, Jamal Adams could be critical in providing a looming presence in the middle of the field. A trade of this magnitude could alter the balance in the NFC West.
Why he doesn’t:
- Seattle has been very hesitant as of late in rewarding players with long-term contracts circa the disassembly of the Legion of Boom and even currently with Jadeveon Clowney. Outside of Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner, it would surprise me if Seattle would risk high draft capital for a rental.
- Seattle has other pressing matters that are going to need the draft capital and cap spending. Their defensive line outside of Clowney was anemic last year and needs to be addressed via resigning Clowney or finding other trade targets. Getting pressure on the quarterback in a loaded division with Kyler Murray, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Jared Goff is going to be essential to winning this division and it is a hole they have yet to fill.
Overall fit: B+
While the odds of Jamal Adams actually being traded this offseason remain an unlikely possibility (the Jets haven’t officially approved the trade request yet), if he does come onto the market, it is clear the Ravens present the best situation for both Baltimore and Jamal Adams. In a lot of ways, this could develop itself in a manner not unlike Khalil Mack and the Raiders, a slow burn for months and months and then a vigorous sprint towards a league-altering trade.
If you enjoyed reading this piece, please consider subscribing to our Substack newsletter. You’ll get to read our stuff, hot off the presses, each time we publish.
