NY Jets: Ranking the 5 most likely trade destinations for Jamal Adams

NY Jets’ safety Jamal Adams has his fair share of suitors, but which teams are most likely to bite?

NY Jets‘ safety Jamal Adams wants out — he’s made that very clear at this point. And whether or not the Jets actually decide to trade him, it’s obvious that there will be plenty of teams interested.

Adams released his list of seven teams that he would prefer to be dealt to once he officially requested a trade. Of course, the Jets don’t have to abide by that — and they really don’t have much of an incentive to.

That being said, some of the teams on that list could be the ones who are most interested in acquiring the superstar safety.

There’s been plenty of talk about Adams going to a certain hometown team. And while we’ll talk about the Dallas Cowboys, that doesn’t mean they’re the likeliest destination for Adams.

Nearly every NFL team will have interest, but only a handful of organizations will be able to afford him long-term and be willing to give up the resources required to make a trade happen.

After all, constructing a roster is like putting together a puzzle. It’s an art form and no matter how great a player is, you need to take all factors into account.

So which teams are most likely to trade for Adams? Let’s take a look.

Next: 5. Baltimore Ravens

5. The Baltimore Ravens could trade for NY Jets’ safety Jamal Adams

Out of all the teams we’re going to talk about, the Ravens are probably the least likely to make a trade happen. But there are still a few reasons why it would make sense for them.

Baltimore was reportedly one of two teams to make an offer for Adams back at last year’s trade deadline. The Ravens have invested heavily in their secondary adding Earl Thomas and Marcus Peters to a position group that already featured Marlon Humphrey and Jimmy Smith.

Trading for Adams would likely give them the best secondary in the NFL.

Perhaps their only true weakness on defense is their pass rush and Adams — who recorded 6.5 sacks in a four-game span last season — could certainly help matters.

Now, the safety duo of Thomas and Chuck Clark is already quite impressive. Clark would be the player who’s replaced here and the young safety just signed a three-year, $16 million extension in the offseason.

That said, Adams is on a completely different level.

It wouldn’t be a very “Ravens” move and their cap situation would get pretty tight, but don’t count out Baltimore as a team who could show serious interest.

Next: 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

4. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could trade for NY Jets’ safety Jamal Adams

This is the only team we’re going to talk about that isn’t on Adams’ list, but that doesn’t mean he would be opposed to going there. In fact, ESPN’s Ryan Clark revealed about a week ago that Adams would welcome a trade to Tampa Bay.

And it makes a ton of sense when you think about it.

For starters, the Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator is former Jets head coach Todd Bowles who Adams was very close with during their time together in New York. Bowles loves Adams and the feeling is mutual making a reunion a driving force behind Adams’ interest.

And on the Buccaneers’ side, they’re clearly a team built to win now. After signing Tom Brady in the offseason, Tampa Bay knows that their window for success with the future Hall of Fame quarterback is slim.

The Buccaneers’ safety depth chart is pretty crowded with young promising talent at the moment and they did just add Minnesota standout Antoine Winfield Jr. in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

But Adams is in a league of his own and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the two-time Pro Bowler end up in Tampa Bay.

Next: 3. Philadelphia Eagles

3. The Philadelphia Eagles could trade for NY Jets’ safety Jamal Adams

The Eagles, like many other teams on Adams’ list, would have to figure out their long-term cap situation if they were to make a trade. But from a pure organizational/scheme fit, Philadelphia makes a ton of sense as a possible destination.

For starters, the Eagles have had issues in their secondary for years and while the team added former Pro Bowler Darius Slay in the offseason, the loss of Malcolm Jenkins counteracts that.

At the moment, failed cornerback convert Jalen Mills is set to be the Week 1 starter at strong safety. That isn’t an experiment that has a high probability of success.

On top of that, it’s important to consider the relationship between general manager Joe Douglas and his former organization. Douglas is close with Eagles’ GM Howie Roseman which could make a trade between the two teams more likely.

Again, their cap situation isn’t great and Roseman may be hesitant to pay Adams after handing Slay a big new contract. But if a bidding war ensues between them and a certain division rival (we’ll get to them), then the Eagles could end up being Adams’ final destination.

An obvious need, a strong front office relationship, and a competitive incentive all factor into why the Eagles are one of the teams most likely to be interested in Adams.

Next: 2. Dallas Cowboys

2. The Dallas Cowboys could trade for NY Jets’ safety Jamal Adams

We all knew the Dallas Cowboys were going to be on this list. And if Adams had his way, this is exactly where he would end up. But just how likely is it?

Before the Cowboys make any kind of effort to trade for Adams, they must first figure out the situation with Dak Prescott. Prescott officially signed his franchise tag and the two sides will have until July 15th to finalize a long-term extension.

With big money already being paid to the likes of Ezekiel Elliott, Jaylon Smith, Amari Cooper, and La’el Collins, it seems unreasonable that the Cowboys would be able to give Adams his desired long-term extension.

But there are ways around the salary cap and Adams has insinuated that he would be perfectly fine waiting on an extension if dealt to Dallas.

The need is obvious with safety arguably being the weakest position on the Cowboys’ roster. And if any move just screams Jerry Jones, this would be it.

Financial implications are the biggest obstacle for the organization to overcome, but it would shock absolutely no one if Adams ended up in Dallas before long.

Next: 1. Seattle Seahawks

1. The Seattle Seahawks could trade for NY Jets’ safety Jamal Adams

While most of the attention has undoubtedly been given to the Cowboys’ pursuit of Adams, the Seattle Seahawks remain the best true fit for the former LSU star.

Seattle knows more than any team the value of a strong secondary. The once-dominant “Legion of Boom” has been reduced to an average-at-best secondary and the team has been searching for an upgrade at safety ever since Earl Thomas left.

More from The Jet Press

• NY Jets: Jonnu Smith would be a smart free-agent target
• NY Jets: 3 non-quarterback trade targets on offense
• NY Jets expected to be ‘much more aggressive’ in free agency this year
• NY Jets: Patriots will not use the franchise tag on Joe Thuney
• NY Jets officially place the franchise tag on safety Marcus Maye

Adams could be that upgrade and it’s hard to imagine a better organizational fit for him than the Seahawks.

On top of that, Seattle is one of the few teams that could feasibly make a long-term deal work. Aside from wide receiver Tyler Lockett, the Seahawks don’t have any other players in-line for big-money extensions in the near future.

And with the salaries of players like K.J. Wright, Greg Olsen, and Bruce Irvin coming off the books soon, they should have no trouble affording it.

At the moment, the Seahawks are set to enter the 2020 season with Bradley McDougald as their starting strong safety. However, McDougald is no more than a low-level starter and there’s no telling just how valuable Adams would be to the team.

Seattle hasn’t shied away from trading first-round picks for star players in the past (see Jimmy Graham and Percy Harvin), and while those deals might not have worked out, they likely wouldn’t be hesitant to make such a trade for Adams.

The Seahawks may not be receiving the same attention as other teams, but no team is a better fit for Adams than they are.