3 burning questions for 49ers safeties in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Is Jamal Adams a Worthy Upgrade for 49ers?
The short answer? Yes.
Jamal Adams’ tenuous tenure with the Jets doesn’t appear to be resolving itself anytime soon, prompting all those trade discussions. And it’s no surprise he listed the Niners as a likable destination.
Adams, more of an in-the-box-safety would be an upgrade over Tartt. Hitting the final year of his rookie deal, the 24-year-old two-time Pro Bowler would be cheaper, too.
Well, at least for 2020. According to Spotrac.com’s market-value tool, Adams’ yearly value is at $14.7 million. For a 49ers team having to spend lucrative money to extend tight end George Kittle, let alone think about new contracts for linebacker Fred Warner and EDGE Nick Bosa, trading away what would likely be a considerable amount of assets for Adams is risky at best.
Still, it’s hard to ignore that 87.9 overall Pro Football Focus grade.
The only way it happens is if San Francisco elects to go “all in” on 2020, gambling the future and what would likely be multiple first- and second-round NFL Draft picks, and the cheap rookie contracts associated with them, for a player of Adams’ caliber.
The conclusive answer would be a likely “no,” since that’s not how the 49ers front office under head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch seems to work.