© Danielle Parhizkaran | 2019 Nov 24
It is not exceedingly likely that the 49ers will trade for Jamal Adams. They have a starting strong safety in Jaquiski Tartt who is in the league’s upper echelon, is familiar with the team’s scheme and has an almost symbiotic relationship with Jimmie Ward. That said, there is a certain, and not totally outlandish appeal.
Adams, the New York Jets’ All-Pro strong safety requested a trade on Thursday and listed the 49ers as one of his seven preferred destinations. Perhaps the most crucial part of this equation is the following bit from The Dallas Sporting News’ Calvin Watkins: Adams would be alright with not immediately receiving an extension.
A source also says there are certain teams Jamal Adams is willing to be traded to where he won't request a contract extension, at least right away.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) June 18, 2020
Per OverTheCap, Adams, 25, is due $7.17 million this year and $9.86 million next season, on his fifth-year option. The 28-year-old Tartt, meanwhile, is due $6.25 million.
The “at least right away” portion of Watkins’ report would seem to indicate that Adams wouldn’t play out a fifth-year option, and would hold out, as he should, as one of the league’s top five safeties, for a new deal. But if he were amenable to playing out this season at that cap figure… well, suddenly a 49ers trade isn’t out of the question.
This takes nothing away from Tartt, who is anything but a scrub. He’s probably a top-10 strong safety in the league, and he and Ward communicate without talking. There’s the consideration that Ward would be unhappy about trading away his longtime friend in Tartt, a popular figure in the locker room, but the 49ers aren’t going to avoid trading for a transcendental defensive player because it might rub someone the wrong way. Ward also only has $3.5 million guaranteed in 2021, and could be cut as soon as next season, with Tarvarius Moore still waiting in the wings behind him.
Suffice it to say, there are only two considerations that would prevent the 49ers from making a serious overture to the Jets for Adams: the price and the price.
That is, how much would an Adams extension cost? He wants to be the league’s highest-paid safety, which means more than $15 million per year, not exactly an enticing figure given that the 49ers tend to be tough in negotiations, and rarely offer anything near the top of the league.
And the second, perhaps more important question, is what would the Jets require to give him up?
The 49ers could view Adams at worst, as at least a one-year rental who wouldn’t hit free agency for another two years. The salary difference between him and Tartt is minimal.
Thus far, the Jets have held a staunch position that they are unwilling to trade away Adams. They also have free safety Marcus Maye on the roster and drafted Cal safety Ashtyn Davis, who the 49ers had interest in before re-signing Ward, but neither are a perfect fit at strong safety. Adams’ request, and social media post criticizing the Jets could all be part of a plan to get the team to move faster in making him an offer, but if it is effective, and the team capitulates into trading him, here’s what the 49ers could offer.
Any trade would likely include Tartt going the other way, or Tartt being shipped off to a third team. These trades below are coming from the 49ers’ perspective, and what would be worthwhile on their end to pursue.
Scenario 1: Tartt, wide receiver, draft pick
This feels like the most likely option, given the Jets’ complete lack of depth at wide receiver, and even with the 49ers’ loss of Deebo Samuel, they probably have one too many guys in the room. Still, the 49ers have tall slot options in Jalen Hurd and Jauan Jennings, and quicker options in Trent Taylor and Richie James Jr.
- Jets receive: Jaquiski Tartt, Kendrick Bourne, 3rd round pick
- 49ers receive: Jamal Adams, 7th round pick
Bourne is the most valuable, tradeable wide receiver on the roster, and with Samuel out, he’s the most reliable one, too. He would fit into the Jets’ roster as a likely Day 1 starter.
- Jets receive: Jaquiski Tartt, Dante Pettis, 3rd round pick, 2021 4th round pick
- 49ers receive: Jamal Adams, 5th round pick
Pettis has tanked his value, but there’s still reason for teams to project upside with him and point to his poor sophomore campaign as related to injuries and the emergence of Deebo Samuel and Emmanuel Sanders. This brings back a substantial trade haul for the Jets, too.
- Jets receive: Jaquiski Tartt, Trent Taylor, 3rd round pick, 2021 5th round pick, 6th round pick
- 49ers receive: Jamal Adams, 7th round pick
Taylor, if healthy, is a reliable slot option, and with him a triplet of picks.
Scenario 2: Tartt, cornerback, draft pick
Jets receive: Jaquiski Tartt, Ahkello Witherspoon, 5th round pick
49ers receive: Jamal Adams, Javelin Guidry/Lamar Jackson/Bryce Hall/Shyheim Carter, 6th round pick
The 49ers move on from Ahkello Witherspoon because he’s entering the final year of his contract and because they’re confident of Tim Harris’ ability, and optimistic about one of the rookies they get back in this trade. Given how much the 49ers needed depth at corner last year, this seems the most doubtful route to pursue.
Scenario 3: Tartt, Solomon Thomas, draft pick
Jets receive: Jaquiski Tartt, Solomon Thomas, 3rd round pick, 2021 4th round pick
49ers receive: Jamal Adams, 5th round pick
Solomon Thomas is still a useful, though expensive rotation player entering a contract year, which is always a good value bet to make for the team acquiring a player. The Jets’ defensive line needs help, and he could, in theory, provide it. The pair of draft picks sweeten his bloated salary.
Scenario 4: Tartt, draft picks
Jets receive: Jaquiski Tartt, 2nd round pick, 2021 4th round pick, 2021 7th round pick
49ers receive: Jamal Adams, 5th round pick
Here you have Tartt for Adams with a triplet of picks going the Jets’ way, most notably, the second-rounder. It’s difficult to know how they would value Tartt, and obviously, the team trading for the best player involved has to pay some sort of premium. The 49ers did it before with Dee Ford, and would do it again here.