Washington Redskins 2017 Draft Profiles: Jamal Adams, S

Jamal Adams, S
School: Louisiana State | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Junior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 213 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Top-10 selection
NFL Comparison: Eric Berry

College Statistics

Player Overview

Jamal Adams is a hoss. Both his former coaches at LSU, Les Miles and Ed Orgeron, say he has All-Pro and potentially even Hall of Fame potential in the NFL. He was the best player on LSU’s outstanding defense and was regarded as a key team leader, demanding passion and intensity from his other teammates during every practice and game. His father, George Adams, was the 19th-overall pick by the New York Giants out of Kentucky in 1985.

Adams is built like a brick sh*thouse at 6’ 1”, 213 lbs., but has the athletic ability to cover man-to-man in the slot in addition to adding physicality in the box as an extra tackler. He held talented tight ends O.J. Howard and Evan Engram to a combined 4 catches for 12 yards in separate games. Therefore, even though he profiles best as a strong safety in the NFL, he can play either safety position.

Adams finished with 209 career tackles, five interceptions and 19 pass breakups. He threw in a highlight tackle in the Citrus Bowl, tracking down Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson for a loss. But throwing a block was what he remembered most. "That play set the tone; I never looked back."

Strengths

• Eager tackler who plays fast, shooting through gaps to punish runners and receivers
• Passionate leader who rallies teammates to rise to their potential; has a team-first mindset
• Usually displays textbook form on tackles, squaring body and wrapping up
• Good instincts and recognition in coverage, has hips to quickly change direction

Weaknesses

• Flying around the field can lead to missed tackles
• Lacks top-end instincts in zone coverage, profiles better as a strong safety than a single-high free safety

Highlights & #DraftTwitter

How He’d Fit on the Redskins

Jamal Adams would be a dream pick at #17, as the hype around his game is only intensifying - from 1st-round pick to top-15 to top-10 and now even top-5 consideration since he officially declared for the NFL Draft. Regardless of the new defensive coordinator in Washington, they should be able to find a spot on the field for this talented playmaker. Something of note: judging by Adams’ Twitter account it looks like Adams is a fan of both the Cowboys and Giants...

I wouldn’t hesitate starting Adams at free safety Day 1 and continue with the plan to move Cravens to strong safety.Together they could form one of the best safety tandems in the NFL for years to come and fix our dearth of talent at the position since the loss of Sean Taylor.