Why Safety Jamal Adams is worth the San Francisco 49ers’ No. 2 Pick
Evaluating Adams’ Highlights
Watching the LSU safety’s games against SEC opponents, one thing becomes evident: he’s a solid run defender who can also play center field. The versatility that he provides defensive coordinators with is uncanny.
Adams’ ability to line up anywhere on the field is amazing, as he transitioned from in the box, center field, in the slot or outside against a receiver.
In a game against Auburn, the full video being provided by DraftBreakdown.com, fans get a taste for how strong Adams is in the defending the run game. He comes from his safety position, attacks the runner and makes the one-on-one tackle.
In this next clip from the game against Auburn, Adams shows off his ability to defend the run from the box, where he reads the jet sweep and makes the tackle for loss:
Next, against Alabama, he grabs his first interception of the season on a play where he reads the quarterback’s eyes.
He knows exactly where the play is headed, gets in position and makes a beautiful play on the ball:
Then, on another play in the red zone, he lines up on the edge and sniffs out the play and is able to get into the backfield.
Although he doesn’t make the tackle, he disrupts it enough, where it allows for his teammates to come and make the play:
On the other hand, his aggressive run defense could also prove to be a detriment. He tends to overplay the running backs and get past them, allowing for cut back lanes.
Against Wisconsin, here’s one such example where Adams should have wrapped up the running back, but doesn’t:
He’s also a solid pass defender in one-on-one coverage. In this clip below from the game against Texas A&M, Adams lines up across from a speedy wide receiver and shuts him down.
Adams is all over the receiver and the quarterback has no choice but to throw it away:
Another example of Adams’ solid pass defense is shown here in the game against Mississippi State, where he lines up in the slot and tackles the receiver — if he had caught the ball:
If there’s still skepticism after seeing Adams’ numbers and highlights, check out what draft experts think of Adams.
Then it’ll become more and more obvious why Jamal Adams could be a viable option with the No. 2 pick.