It felt like the Jamal Adams saga was never going to end for the New York Jets. For much delight for the rest of the AFC East, it finally did reach a conclusion. The Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and New England Patriots will no longer have to square off against the All-Pro safety twice.
What it took for the Seattle Seahawks to land Adams from the Jets featured a substantial package. In exchange for Adams and a 2022 fourth-round pick, Seattle sent two first-round picks (2021 & 2022), a 2021 third-round pick, and Bradley McDougald.
It can be debated whether paying a safety big money proves to be a net positive for a team’s pursuit of a Super Bowl run. However, there’s no denying Adams’ impact on the field. He is a phenomenal run stopper that can cover deep in zone and matchup with tight ends.
If having a defensive back that can play as a sub-linebacker and edge in addition to both safety spots didn’t display enough versatility, there’s more to consider. Adams is joined by JJ Watt as the only players in NFL history to record at least 200 tackles, 10 sacks, and 25 pass breakups through the first three years of a career.
Not limited to just the Jets, there will naturally be an impact on the rest of the AFC East as a result of the Adams trade. One thing is known for certain, losing an elite talent that plays such a key role for a unit will be difficult for New York to overcome in 2020.
With that being said, let’s take a look at how the Jamal Adams trade changes the 2020 trajectory for the AFC East.
