Despite the ongoing list of injuries and physical ailments, the San Francisco 49ers are one of four teams in the NFC with a record of 4-1. All four of those teams are leading their respective divisions, as well.
Nobody in the NFC is winless. However, the same could not be said for the AFC.
In fact, the only team in the league without a win is the one Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh coached last year, the New York Jets, who are 0-5.
Yet, after five games this season, neither San Francisco or New York has an interception on defense so far. That has yet to impact the 49ers record and playoff ambitions, thankfully.
Perhaps that's why the Jets make the perfect trade partner to improve the NFC West leaders' secondary.
Trading for Jets safety Tony Adams make the 49ers an NFC favorite
New York has its star cornerback Sauce Gardner locked up with a four-year deal worth a little more than $120 million. His teammate, safety Tony Adams, is a free agent after this season.
Adams' salary for 2025 is roughly $3.26 million. Thus, given the current state of the Jets in terms of the AFC East standings, it may be time to sell on some talent and build for the 2026 NFL Draft.
A fifth-round selection in next April's draft could entice the Jets to move on from Adams and send him back to Saleh. The veteran safety would make a great addition to San Francisco's defensive rookies Mykel Williams, Upton Stout, and CJ West, not to mention providing some additional guidance for younger defensive backs like Marques Sigle, Renardo Green and Malik Mustapha.
The former University of Illinois athlete has two pass deflections, and Adams hauled in three passes from opposing quarterbacks in 2023 and once more last year. He has also recorded 167 total tackles over the last two seasons.
It was during the 2023 season that Adams picked off a pass from quarterback Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Jets were facing an undefeated opponent in a Week 6 game during mid-October, and Adams' interception and 45-yard return put the Jets on the Eagles' 8-yard line and set up the game-winning score for New York.
Brock Purdy, in particular, might remember Adams, too, as the Jets safety sacked the 49ers quarterback in Week 1 last season.
With the 49ers having another season riddled with injuries, San Francisco may want to add some depth to the secondary.
At an affordable cost, Adams is worth the gamble and makes for a strong trade candidate to improve the 49ers defense down field and into top contention within the NFC.