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Why Safety Jamal Adams is worth the San Francisco 49ers’ No. 2 Pick

By Akash Anavarathan

Dec 31, 2016; Orlando , FL, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Orlando , FL, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Buffalo beats San Francisco 45 to 16. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Buffalo beats San Francisco 45 to 16. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Why a Safety for the 49ers?

Many fans may be wondering why would the 49ers take another safety, considering they have drafted safeties every year recently.

The 49ers’ depth chart at strong safety lists Antoine Bethea and Jaquiski Tartt, while at free safety there’s Eric Reid and Marcus Cromartie. Cornerback Jimmie Ward was a safety at Northern Illinois, but converted to corner in the NFL.

Bethea will have a cap number of $7 million heading into 2017, but is that worth it for a 32-year-old safety on the decline? Although he had a bounce back year in 2016, with 95 tackles and one interception, his game has slowly deteriorated.

The veteran 49ers safety was constantly beat deep by receivers and became a liability for a weak Niners defense. By releasing Bethea, the 49ers would save $5.75 million in cap room. 

Tartt might be able to fill in the role, but he’s more successful in the hybrid linebacker/safety role, similar to what DB Deone Buchanan plays in for the Arizona Cardinals.

With the free safety position, Reid has been on the decline ever since his Pro-Bowl rookie season in 2013. Below are his statistics throughout his career, taken from Pro-Football-Reference.com:

Defense & Fumbles Table
Games Def Interceptions Fumbles Sacks & Tackles
Year Age Tm Pos No. G GS Int Yds TD Lng PD FF Fmb FR Yds TD Sk Tkl Ast Sfty AV
2013* 22 SFO FS 35 16 16 4 54 0 53 12 0 0 2 0 0 73 18 9
2014 23 SFO FS 35 15 15 3 138 0 73 7 35 7 6
2015 24 SFO FS 35 16 16 0 0 0 0 7 1 0 0 0 0 1.0 56 10 5
2016 25 SFO S 35 10 10 1 13 0 13 6 1 0 0 0 0 48 14 4
Career 57 57 8 205 0 73 32 2 0 2 0 0 1.0 212 49 24

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/27/2017.

As it can be seen, Reid hasn’t had the same number of tackles, interceptions or passes defended since his rookie season. With his history of concussions and upcoming free agency, there are question marks surround his potential return to the 49ers.

With the 49ers heading into a rebuild under Kyle Shanahan and new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, will Bethea return? Will the 49ers choose to re-sign Reid?

With the need of a center-field safety in Saleh’s new 4-3 defense similar to FS Earl Thomas, Adams would be the perfect fit.