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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 15, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates after picking up a fumble during the third quarter of a game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates after picking up a fumble during the third quarter of a game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Analyzing Adams’ Statistics

Ranked as Pro Football Focus’ best safety in the 2017 NFL Draft class, Jamal Adams would be a tremendous pickup for the 49ers. He’s ranked so high due to his ability to be able run defend in the box and also be strong in coverage.

According to Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus, Adams is the ninth overall prospect in the upcoming draft. He is ranked fourth in the nation for both run defense and pass defense. As a run defender, he graded out 83.1, while as a pass defender he graded out 89.0.

He’s also a sure-handed tackler, as he’s only missed 24 tackles in 191 attempts, throughout his career at LSU.

Below are his numbers from his three years at LSU, taken from sports-reference.com:

Defense & Fumbles Table
Tackles Def Int Fumbles
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
*2014 Louisiana State SEC FR S 12 38 28 66 5.0 1.0 0 0 0 4 0 0
*2015 Louisiana State SEC SO S 12 48 19 67 5.5 0.0 4 30 7.5 0 6 1 1
2016 Louisiana State SEC JR S 12 42 34 76 7.5 1.0 1 0 0.0 0 4 1 1
Career Louisiana State 128 81 209 18.0 2.0 5 30 6.0 0 14 2 2

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/27/2017.

Adams’ total tackles have been constantly improving throughout each of his three seasons, with 76 this past season.

The Tigers’ safety also steps up his play in the biggest moments of the season. Against TE O.J. Howard, Adams only allowed one catch for minus-three yards. Lined up across TE Evan Engram, Adams only gave up three catches for 15 yards. For reference, both tight ends are expected to be selected in the first two rounds of the draft.

Although the numbers may speak for themselves, let’s take a look at Adams’ film to see why he’d be a perfect fit for the 49ers at No. 2.