The Dallas Cowboys struggled on defense all season long in 2019. In 2018 the defense was very good in terms of both pass rush and run defense, but in 2019 it was a completely different story. Whereas Dallas ranked sixth in overall defense in 2018, they fell to 11th in the league in 2019. The run defense was still there, but the pass defense suffered. The Cowboys will be looking to bolster their secondary this off-season, and they should do that by acquiring Jamal Adams.
Dallas Cowboys Should Trade for Jamal Adams
The Weak Link
Everyone knows Dallas’ front seven is very good. The unit is led by all-pros Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander-Esch, and Demarcus Lawrence. The Cowboys even don their own nickname “The Hot Boyz,” complete with merchandise. There is one glaring weakness on this defense though, and it is the safety position, more specifically Jeff Heath.
In 2019, Heath had seven passes defensed and 59 tackles, but created zero turnovers. He also allowed a 63.5% of passes thrown his way to be completed along with a quarterback rating of 94.2. Offenses routinely passed the ball towards Heath instead of going after standout corners Byron Jones and Anthony Brown.
There are a plethora of options this year to bolster said safety position, either through the 2020 NFL Draft or via trade. Standout safeties in this year’s draft include Xavier Mckinney (Alabama), Jalen Elliott (Notre Dame), and Grant Delpit (LSU). But the Cowboys should go after Jamal Adams this off-season.
All-Pro, All-World
In his tenure with the New York Jets Jamal Adams has been great despite the Jets being a bad team. Since he was drafted in 2017, Adams has been a force. He has collected 210 tackles, two interceptions, and four fumble recoveries. He also has a 55.3% completion rate and a 75.4 QBR when the ball is thrown his way. Adams has also remained fairly healthy, playing in 95% of all defensive snaps since his rookie season.
Right before the 2019 trade deadline, Dallas had been linked to Adams, and they tried to get a deal done. Unfortunately for the ‘Boys, the Jets asking price was too high. Reportedly, New York wanted a first and two second rounders for Adams, an asking price that Dallas was unwilling to pay. But, this off-season, Dallas should try to negotiate with the Jets again.
The Proposed Deal
Jerry Jones is a shrewd owner, known for taking risks with big trades. An example of this was when he sent a first rounder to the Oakland Raiders for wide receiver Amari Cooper. Cowboy fans also certainly remember the trade with the Minnesota Vikings that sent running back Herschel Walker to the Twin Cities for a pick that turned into Emmitt Smith, the league’s all-time leading rusher. Jerry Jones may be willing to empty his pockets yet again to net some needed help. It will likely take another first rounder in this deal, but will probably also require a second or third-round pick as well.
Jamal Adams is worth the trade of a first-round pick alone, considering he’s one of the best safeties in the NFL. The Cowboys can plug him into the defensive scheme and he will likely flourish, as well as help Dallas make waves among the league’s best teams. It’s possible this deal could take place the day or night of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Final Deal Prediction
New York Jets trade Jamal Adams to Dallas for a first, third and sixth-round pick.
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