Ranking 49ers’ Nick Bosa, NFC West’s 4 other top pass-rushers
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Safety Jamal Adams, Seattle Seahawks
2020 Stat Line: 83 tackles, 14 QB hits, 9.5 sacks
The fact Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams is on this list of top NFC West pass-rushers tells you two things.
First, Adams is an awfully good player regardless of where he lines up on the field. And second, the Seahawks had a dreadfully bad defensive line last season. Heck, even a banged-up 49ers defensive line missing two of its best pass-rushers, Nick Bosa and Dee Ford, was significantly more impressive than that of Seattle.
It’s how the Seahawks can use Adams, though, that makes him such a valued commodity. Whether or not it was a good move for Seattle to trade for him with the New York Jets last season in light of what the Seahawks had to give up remains debatable. But there’s little questioning Adams makes Seattle’s defense better.
The Seahawks have to reinforce many areas of their defense in 2021, so Adams’ role as a blitzing pass-rusher might diminish if they end up grabbing defensive linemen who are intended to assume that role.
If not, however, look for Adams to continue being used as a strong-side rusher and someone who can use his speed and playmaking abilities to get to the quarterback.