NY Jets: Ranking the 53-man roster — No. 1 Jamal Adams

Over the past 53-plus days, the NY Jets 53-man roster has been evaluated and ranked. Here’s No. 1, All-Pro safety Jamal Adams.

Going into the 2017 NFL Draft there was a debate in league circles over which safety the NY Jets should select with the sixth overall pick, Jamal Adams or Malik Hooker.

Ex-general manager Mike Maccagnan imploded as an NFL executive, but give him credit for selecting the LSU star and then doubling down on the position in the second round by taking Florida’s Marcus Maye.

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Adams has proven himself a fiery leader of NFL pedigree. He performs at an elite level and he doesn’t get into trouble. Sure, the front office can string him along with another two seasons of team control, but Adams is a man who demands and commands respect.

There were questions over how Adams would jibe with blustery defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. In 2019 Williams delivered on his blather, inspiring and scheming an overachieving lot — all led by a young but wise field general in Adams.

Jamal’s All-Pro statistics — see his elite 88.9 Pro Football Focus grade — include 60 solo tackles seven sacks, and two-faced fumbles. The latter stat includes his epic strip-sack touchdown assault of Daniel Jones in that season-changing intra-city beatdown of Big Blue.

It’s been said the Jets would be overpaying to compensate a strong safety the same rate of a shutdown corner. But can you think of a more dominant and versatile young secondary threat in the league?

There’s been talk about trading Adams to a contender like the Dallas Cowboys for a bounty of riches including two first-rounders. General manager Joe Douglas could likely make very wise use of such assets to his restock this barren roster.

Bet your bottom dollar Douglas understands that players like Adams come by once a decade at best. Thankfully, all points indicate a record-setting contract extension in the foreseeable future.

Adams recently said that he expects a new contract soon and that he is on board with this Gang Green rebuild.

“We’ve got to bring in some players to fix these holes that we do have. We’ve got to put the team together. I think Joe Douglas is going to do a hell of a job with that. I have a ton of respect for him and we’ll see where we go.”

At best, Adams should go to Canton representing the green-and-white for eternity.