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From Patrick Peterson to Tyrann Mathieu to Morris Claiborne, there has been some impressive secondary talent that has come out of LSU in recent years. Jamal Adams fits the same mold. The 6-foot, 200-pound safety out of LSU is looking like he will be a first-round pick as well.
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The Numbers, Part I
NFL Combine Measurements
| Height | Weight | Arm Size | Hand Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height | Weight | Arm Size | Hand Size |
| 6'0" | 214 | 33 1/3" | 9 1/4" |
The Numbers, Part II
NFL Combine Performance Numbers
| 40-yard dash | Bench press | Vertical | Broad jump |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-yard dash | Bench press | Vertical | Broad jump |
| 4.56 sec | 18 reps | 31.5" | 120" |
Scouting Report
Adams will go down as one of the best defensive backs to ever play at LSU. Over his his three years in purple and gold, the safety racked up 209 tackles, 17.5 of which went for a loss. He also added five interceptions and two sacks. His most successful season in 2016 as a junior, he was named to First Team All-SEC and was named a First Team All-American. While this numbers are terrific, lets go into his game a bit more.
One of the best aspects Adams brings to the field is his leadership. He has the veteran leadership experience from his time at LSU, to help lead a defense at the next level. He was known as a field general and a natural born leader. He has the ability to switch a defense on a dime depending on what the offense is doing.
Adams is also one of the best tacklers to come out of this draft. His ability to wrap up offensive weapons is terrific. Like Cam Chancellor of the Seattle Seahawks, Adams not only has the potential to stop the run across the middle, but to send a message while doing so. He was the hardest hitting defensive player on LSU’s punishing defense. The most impressive stat to come out of his 2016 season, was that Adams was not penalized once. Yeah, you did read that right.
While Adams is a first round prospect, every player has their weaknesses. His anticipation is nothing special and he has the bad habit of holding on to the receivers downfield. Which is surprising considering he was not penalized in 2016. One of his strengths in also his weakness. With his ability to stop the run, it leaves Adams susceptible to the play-action, which he will have to improve on at the next level.
Verdict
The son of former NFL first-round pick George Adams will follow his father’s footsteps. He has the potential to make an immediate impact on any defense in the NFL and will bring his leadership style directly into the locker room. Adams could slip into the top-ten pick range and could a help a team such as the Titans or Saints that have a struggling defense. No matter where he ends up, Jamal Adams will be a impactful presence.