One of the biggest topics of discussion in the football community has been Jamal Adams demanding a trade from the New York Jets due to a contract dispute. Since taking to social media with his thoughts, many have pointed out teams he could end up with if traded, most of which were labeled as desired destinations by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
However, as we’ve seen in the past, trades more times than not aren’t dictated by the player — and if traded — Adams could end up with a team that wasn’t named by Schefter or one many aren’t suspecting.
One team that NFL.com’s Gil Brandt at least feels are a fit is the Jacksonville Jaguars. On his list of fits, they came in at the No. 3 spot with only the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, respectively, above them
As I wrote above, the Jets should expect at least a first-round pick in return for Adams, which might make this potential deal too rich for a Jaguars team that, on paper, looks ticketed for a top-10 draft choice in 2021. And that’s setting aside the fact that Jacksonville is the one team here that does not appear on Adams’ reported wish list. But you could argue that Adams would be worth the investment for a group looking to grow, instantly lifting a secondary that will otherwise be relying on rookie C.J. Henderson to shoulder a significant amount of the load. The Jaguars haven’t fielded a true impact safety since Rashean Mathis’ heyday.
While it admittedly feels like a long-shot, here at Jags Wire we’ve also deemed the Jags as a good fit. They have nine total draft picks waiting for them in 2021 and two of them are first-round selections thanks to Jalen Ramsey.
However, unlike Brandt, we’ve also pointed out a way the Jags could potentially land Adams without giving up a first-round pick, and that’s by trading them Yannick Ngakoue. As many have seen, the young defensive end has been in a contract dispute of his own with the Jags and has made it clear he no longer wants to play for them.
While the team could hold on to hope that he’ll have a change of heart, it’s a gamble that could hurt them in the end when they reflect on it if he doesn’t. Additionally, the Jags would come out cheaper in 2020 compensating Adams as the highest-paid safety in the league than paying out Ngakoue a salary of $18 million under the franchise tender.
Only Adam’s (and maybe his agent) knows if Jacksonville is a spot he’d be fine with playing at. However, for a new deal to be the league’s highest-paid safety in a state without income taxes, he just might be open to it.
Listen to the latest from Jags Wire’s own James Johnson and Phil Smith on their podcast “Bleav in the Jags.” Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and check out our archived episodes via Bleav Podcasts.
[protected-iframe id=”d7cb0cde732f05fbbb91019124d67279-105974738-159322853″ info=”https://art19.com/shows/bleav-in-the-jacksonville-jaguars/episodes/03826eb6-17ae-4c36-9fc8-c48f9f7c14b0/embed” scrolling=”no”]