Jamal Adams to 49ers reportedly picking up steam

When a player of New York Jets’ safety Jamal Adams becomes available, every NFL team should do their due diligence.

The 24-year-old requested a trade last week, and the San Francisco 49ers are one of the seven teams he would accept being dealt to, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Maven SI’s Grant Cohn put out a report saying the chances are increasing that the Niners could acquire the All-Pro strong safety:

“I just got a direct message from a well-placed source saying Jamal Adams to the 49ers is “‘picking up steam.’”

Cohn adds that is doesn’t necessarily mean Adams will be making his way to the Bay Area, but that there is a higher probability than there was a few days ago.

I would give the rumor more credence if it was coming from Schefter, or the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who are the two most plugged-in reporters, but the possibility of getting Adams remains a fascinating prospect.

Of course, the 49ers could’ve already had Adams if the roster if they picked him third overall in the 2017 NFL Draft instead of Solomon Thomas, but that’s a topic for another day. Adams wound up going sixth overall to the Jets, and hasn’t disappointed since.

He was an All-Pro last season, finishing with 75 tackles, 13 TFL, 6.5 sacks, seven passes defended, and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown. His versatility as a pass rusher has improved since his rookie year, with his QB hits jumping from two in 2017, to 13 last season. Pff gave Adams a 87.9 grade in 2019.

The asking price for Adams is reportedly at least a first-round pick, but the cost of keeping him long-term could be the deciding factor. He’s due $7.1 million next season, followed by $9.8 million in 2021, after which he will be up for an extension.

Would the Jets consider a package of a 2021 first-rounder, another mid-round pick, and current 49ers’ strong safety Jarquiski Tartt?

Tartt’s cap hit is just over $6.2 million next year, and he is due to become a free agent after the 2020 season, so the numbers would at least work for the short-term.

Adams would be an upgrade over Tartt, but the question is if the Niners would be able to sign him to a long-term deal. With George Kittle and Nick Bosa expecting to get top-dollar deals, finding enough money under cap would be a tall task after his rookie contract is up.

I would take Cohn’s report with a grain of salt (for obvious reasons), but we know Adams wants out of the Big Apple.

What do you think John Lynch could offer to get a deal done for Adams?