© Robert Deutsch | 2019 Nov 10
The 49ers defense is already arguably the best in the NFL, but how good would they be with another All-Pro?
That’s a question Robert Saleh, Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch, and the rest of the 49ers brass are likely kicking around at this very moment, with the news that All-Pro safety Jamal Adams would welcome a trade to the Bay Area.
The disgruntled Jets safety requested a move amid a contract dispute according to ESPN, and listed the 49ers as one of seven teams he’d like to join. The Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, and Seattle Seahawks are the others.
So should the 49ers take a shot? According to beat writer Nick Wagoner, it’s very unlikely.
“Let’s be very clear: Jamal Adams is a great player,” Wagoner told Murph & Mac on Friday. “If you go back to that 2017 draft I think a lot of Niners fans would say if they could have a do over with that No. 3 pick, Jamal Adams is the guy they would have taken. If you just look at what the Niners did this offseason, and the way they kind of tried to strike that balance between contending now, but also keeping their window open as long as possible, they made a lot of sacrifices to go for it last year. By that I mean the trade for Dee Ford, the trade for Emmanuel Sanders.
“So I just can’t see, and I never say never in the NFL, crazier things have happened, there’s always ways to make things work, but putting things aside and the cap squeeze which is also an issue, you put that aside, I’m not sure the Niners are in a position where they can give up more premium picks, and guys who are on cost controlled rookie contracts for the next four years, for a guy who may or may not be here long term.
“The other thing I would add to that, I’m not sure strong safety is necessarily a position that they value at the level that they would have to to pay Jamal Adams to keep him long term. With as much Cover 3 as they play I think free safety is of the two safety spots, the position they’re more interested in investing in as we saw with Jimmie Ward.”
Listen to the full interview below.