Jamal Adams, New York Jets. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Jamal Adams wants to be a Dallas Cowboy, and Jerry Jones should stop at no bounds to acquire him.
The greatest trade commodity in the NFL at this very moment is New York Jets safety Jamal Adams.
Although, to New York general manager Joe Douglas’ credit, he has not given in to Adams’ demands yet, even insisting that the Jets safety will remain under contract in green and white for the 2020 season.
As much as Douglas may insist that’s the case, it’s tough to buy it when Adams is willing to admit a random man at the grocery store he’s vying for a move to the Lone Star state.
Douglas’ negotiating ploy will keep the demands for a player of Adams’ services high, so much so he could be willing to ask for one of the Cowboys’ premiere assets in return even while he’s playing under a long-term contract.
According to Tony Pauline of The Draft Network, the Jets have eyes for star guard La’el Collins.
The Cowboys should make a Jamal Adams trade happen, even if it costs them La’el Collins.
Dealing a player of La’el Collins’ caliber would make such a trade far easier for the Cowboys, as they’d be able to keep much of their 2021 NFL Draft capital. Collins signed a five-year contract extension in 2019 which pays him $10 million per season.
Given his production since then, it’s an absolute bargain. Adams, meanwhile, needs a contract extension after the 2021 season, and is demanding so beforehand. Trading Collins would free up significant cash to make an extension attainable for the LSU product.
Just last season, Collins allowed just two sacks and committed only four penalties, despite playing 1,000 snaps, per PFF. Such numbers are unheard of, and perhaps taken for granted by the brass of Dallas’ front office.
The star-power gained from acquiring Adams surpasses that of an offensive lineman, and if we know anything about Jones, dealing for big names is his forte, despite his recent affinity for the offensive line through the NFL Draft.
Adams would be a clear upgrade over Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Jeff Heath. Dallas lost Byron Jones this offseason, and without sufficient cover in the secondary, will be exposed in the NFC. Meanwhile, they could replace Collins with moderate success with Connor Williams, who played tackle in college.
Losing a player of Collins’ caliber is not easy, but Dallas’ needs in the secondary are great enough to make this move, especially when it’s not paired with a first and third-round pick, which was the previous asking price for Adams.