While Jamal Adams was doing everything he possibly could to get traded, Joe Douglas was working the back channels to get a haul for his disgruntled All-Pro safety.
And that he did.
In a deal that sends Adams and a fourth-round pick in 2022 to the Seattle Seahawks, the Jets netted a fellow safety in Bradley McDougald, a first-round pick in 2021, a third-round pick in 2021 and a first-round pick in 2022.
As The Athletic’s Connor Hughes noted, the number of first-round picks the Jets acquired for Adams was more than the number of on-field picks Adams got for the Jets over three seasons in New York.
Douglas was able to acquire two first-round picks, a third-round pick and a starting-caliber player for Adams, who clearly wanted out. While Seattle was able to obtain one of the best players at his position, it will sooner or later have to pay an even steeper price when it comes to a contract extension.
Now, Douglas has the capital to invest in premium positions to continue to build Gang Green’s roster from the ground up, finding more help for Sam Darnold in the process. The Jets will likely have five picks in the top 100 selections of the 2021 draft. That alone is a massive addition for New York and, while the results won’t be seen immediately, Douglas has an opportunity to change the course of the franchise with this trade.
While this deal obviously benefits Douglas’ long-term plan, the Jets defense takes a massive blow for the 2020 season. Still, Gregg Williams will now be able to rotate the trio of McDougald, Marcus Maye and Ashtyn Davis, playing each safety to their relative strengths.
Last season, McDougald started 14 games, recording 70 tackles, six passes defended, two interceptions and one forced fumble. While McDougald is not going to be the game-changing playmaker that Adams is, he is still a respectable box safety who can start immediately for Gang Green. Detroit Lions All-Pro cornerback Chris Harris Jr. gave McDougald a ringing endorsement, tweeting “don’t get it twisted, Brad a dog too.”
At the end of the day, this type of package is exactly why Douglas has kept his stance that New York should be willing to listen to offers on Adams. Never did anyone think that the Jets general manager would be able to pull off a package of this magnitude, especially considering the circumstances surrounding Adams and his positon’s value.
Douglas was able to stay patient and picked up the phone when Seattle offered a package eerily similar to what Khalil Mack and Jalen Ramsey were traded away for.
On the other hand, the Seahawks are going all-in on the 2020 season, banking on Adams being a safety who can change the dynamic of the game and be a massive upgrade to their secondary. At the same time, Douglas and the Jets are making a statement with this trade. Even though Adams was the face of the franchise and the team’s most valuable asset, New York never backed down from the possibility of trading him.
Once a suitable offer arrived at One Jets Drive, Douglas pounced on it.