New York Jets Select Jamal Adams: Rapid Draft Grade
By Erik Lambert
The New York Jets didn’t do anything fancy with the 6th overall pick in the draft. They just got the best player on the board in safety Jamal Adams.
It may not be a sexy pick like others, but this team can’t afford sexy right now. They need good players. Clearly they didn’t have enough of them last season, especially in the secondary. In truth safety has been an underwhelming position for that franchise going back years. Another reason the Todd Bowles defense fell apart in a number of key situations even during the great 2015 run. Adams can be the guy who changes all that.
Jets are thrilled to get Jamal Adams there. Didn't think he'd last to 6.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 28, 2017
Mocks experts George Stockburger did a ton of work on Adams. Here is some of what he had to say and who the Jets are getting.
"“First is the size and speed needed to play at the next level.Second would be his leadership on the field, some of which comes from his football bloodlines. His father George Adams won a Super Bowl with the Giants as a running back.On the field, the safety is a general directing his fellow soldiers on the field. He’s the vocal leader of his team and will always step in when needed.You can often find Adams near the football, mostly because he diagnoses plays extremely well. He’ll play better in the box when he can engage the ball carrier, making him a prototypical NFL strong safety.”"
Grade: A
It really didn’t matter where the Jets started their rebuild. They’re at the stage where they just need to start getting the best possible players they can. Adams is the sort of proven, safe talent who should have a long, productive NFL career. He’ll be the captain of their secondary as they try to rapidly rebuild their once proud defense. If nothing else he should be good for a handful of memorable hits every year.