A Jamal Adams trade wouldn’t work for the Redskins

Jamal Adams has requested a trade but the Redskins aren’t an option for him.

One of the better safeties in the NFL reportedly requested a trade on Thursday. That would be Jamal Adams of the New York Jets. Amid ongoing issues with the team, Adams is hoping to start over with another team ahead of the 2020 NFL season.

Realistically, Adams would be an upgrade for any team in the NFL. But don’t expect the Washington Redskins to be involved in the pursuit of him.

As ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, Adams has a list of seven teams that he would “welcome a trade to.” All of the seven teams are expected to be contenders of some sort during the 2020 NFL season.

For the Redskins, the absence on this list isn’t surprising. They’re not expected to be contenders during the 2020 campaign, and it seems that Adams values that (and a potential extension) above all else. But beyond that, Adams isn’t an ideal fit for them anyway.

On the surface, that may be a strange statement. After all, Adams has been one of the best players at that position during his three-year career, and he has made two Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro in 2019.

The only problem with his potential fit in Washington? Adams has been a strong safety throughout his career with the Jets. The Redskins have Landon Collins at the position. While Adams is currently a better player than Collins, the Redskins have Collins under contract for the next five seasons. The first realistic out in Collins’ contract doesn’t come until 2021, and even still, they’d still have to eat $9.6 million in dead cap space at that point.

And besides, it’s not like Collins is a slouch. He’s a great tackler, is strong in the box, and is capable in coverage. He has an All-Pro first-team nod to his name, though that came back in 2016.

Maybe Adams could play free safety. But would the Redskins want to risk a lot of draft capital to gamble on that, especially for a guy who wants to play a contender and needs a lucrative extension? Probably not. It could pay off, but the Redskins are far better served to hold onto their draft capital and see if Sean Davis can find success on his one-year deal. And if they still have a hole across from Collins after the 2020 season, they can focus on upgrading it during the 2021 NFL offseason.

What the Redskins should be concerned about is another NFC East team dealing for him. It will be worth watching the Eagles and Cowboys if trade talks progress. Hopefully, if Adams is moved, he won’t land in the NFC East, but that’s the extent of thought that Redskins fans should put into Adams’ trade demand.

No matter how you look at it, a Redskins trade for Adams doesn’t make sense. He would probably be an upgrade, but given what he’d cost, the team’s lack of a need for a strong safety, and Adams’ desire to play for a contender, Washington won’t end up being the destination for the budding star.