The best role for Jamal Adams in the Titans defense
The one they call “Prez” will be a situational player in Tennessee’s defense.
NASHVILLE — Jamal Adams signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans on Thursday. The 28-year old safety comes in to compete with less than two weeks to go before the team reports for training camp.
His presence is not the team's solution at safety, however.
Jamal Adams' Injury History
Adams, a former sixth-overall draft choice of the New York Jets, had an exceptional start to his pro career. The LSU product made the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team and was voted a three-time Pro Bowler from 2018-2020. Adams made First-Team All-Pro in 2019 and was voted Second-Team twice (2018, 2020).
The last three seasons, however, have told a much different story.
Adams sustained a groin injury that cost him four games in 2020. He then tore his shoulder labrum and attempted to play through it in January of 2021. In the last two seasons, Adams has appeared in a total of 10 games due to a quad tear that ended his 2022 season one game in. A concussion and knee strain ultimately saw Adams end last season on Injured Reserve.
Injuries and the aggressive play style for which he is famous has taken a toll on Adams' performance.
Jamal Adams' Ideal Fit In the Titans Defense
Coverage ability has never been among the veteran safety's greatest strengths.
Last year in nine appearances for the Seattle Seahawks, Adams allowed a 25 of 31 passing attempts against him to be completed (career-worst 80.6%) for an average of seven yards per attempt. The best role for him in the Titans defense would be a situational one.
Deploying Adams as a dime-personnel (six defensive backs) linebacker or blitzer proved successful during his tenures with New York and Seattle.
Even then, Adams struggled in the 2023 Seahawks defense. He has not recorded a sack since 2020, when he tallied 9.5 (career-high) and has not contributed more than seven total quarterback pressures since that same year. Missed tackles were also an issue for Adams last season, according to Pro Football Focus. In Seattle's defense, Adams contributed 40 total while missing 15 (career-high 24.2%).
Reuniting Jamal Adams with Dennard Wilson
A value signing, Adams brings depth to a team with questions at both safety and linebacker.
Reuniting the defensive back with his former Jets position coach, now-Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, may be just the thing the player needs to get back a promising career back on track. Tennessee traded for and signed corner L'Jarius Sneed this offseason to fortify its secondary. General manager Ran Carthon also added corner Chidobe Awuizie to start opposite of Sneed with Roger McCreary slated to play in the team's nickel looks. Safety Amani Hooker returns and has been taking the bulk of safety reps alongside versatile defensive back Elijah Molden this offseason.
Molden played 274 snaps at free safety last season when the Titans opted to trade away veteran Kevin Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles at the deadline.
Signing with Tennessee on a short-term contract is Adams "Prove It" opportunity.
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Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
