49ers film room: How Jets Jamal Adams would take Niners to next level

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Jamal Adams #33 of the New York Jets. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images) /

No. 6: Jamal Adams would give the 49ers great scheme flexibility and allow them to disguise coverages

Yes, Jamal Adams can cover slot receivers.

The real question is who is better at speed turning and breaking up a pass, Fred Warner or Jamal Adams?

Most 49ers fans will remember Warner’s spectacular play when speed turning and closing on wide receiver Marquise Brown to break up a pass, against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13.

Now, Adams didn’t speed turn and close on one of the fastest receivers in the NFL, but Adams did still speed turn and break up a pass. Adams did it against Patriots wideout Julian Edelman. Edelman isn’t close to being the fastest receiver in the league, but it’s still an example of Adams being able to cover a slot receiver.

Edelman is running a dig route over the middle of the field. The Jets are in a two-high shell, with Adams being one of the safeties. Adams is sitting directly over the route, but he backpedals. This meant that instead of just staying where he was and running with Edelman over the middle, Adams had to speed turn and close on Edelman to break up the pass.

Adams shows off his athleticism to speed turn and close effectively, however, he didn’t need to speed turn in the first place:

Yes, Adams can cover slot receivers as well as tight ends. This flexibility Adams provides would allow defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to mix up and get creative with coverages.