The Cleveland Browns secondary needs to improve, especially the safety positions. Jamal Adams is arguably the best safety in the 2017 NFL Draft, but as a projected Top 5 pick Cleveland may be an unlikely destination.
The Cleveland Browns defense was a mess in the 2016 NFL season. A lot of that had to do with inexperience, but much of it was also due to poor drafting and signings by the previous regimes.
Before the 2016 season began, Cleveland purged its roster of most of their veteran players in favor of giving their youngsters playing time. This was all part of the first phase of the rebuild the new regime is emphasizing.
Gone were the likes of Karlos Dansby, Donte Whitner, Paul Kruger and Tashaun Gipson. The lack of a veteran presence was felt as the Browns defense was among the worst in the NFL. They played a base 3-4 defense, but the players they drafted came from 4-3 college defenses, for the most part.
The injury bug set in early and often, which did not help the situation or the development of some of the younger players. The Browns season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers saw Tramon Williams (converting from cornerback) and Ed Reynolds as the starting safeties. Williams is no longer with the team, and Reynolds is a backup at best. Rookie Derrick Kindred was hurt for most of the season so it is too early to gauge his future. In his second season, Ibraheim Campbell failed to show he is starter material.
While the entire defense struggled it is the secondary that looks like it needs the most attention. The Browns went after a couple of safeties in free agency, Tony Jefferson and Bradley McDougald, but they signed elsewhere.
Holding the No. 1 overall pick Cleveland will, or should, pick the best player in the draft in Myles Garrett. Added pressure on the quarterback will help the secondary but safety is still a big need. Enter Jamal Adams from LSU.
While at LSU, Jamal Adams was asked to play closer to the line as a traditional strong safety. He excelled in run support while providing great coverage on his assignments, and is a hard-hitting safety who doesn’t shy from contact.
Adams is also fast for his 6-foot and 214-pound frame as he clocked a 4.56 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, which he improved on during the LSU’s Pro Day, registering a 4.45.
He comes into the draft as a three-year starter and his stats speak for themselves. In his NFL.com draft profile, Adams’ strengths greatly outweigh his weaknesses:
"Natural-born leader of men. Well-built. Will not hesitate for one second as a hitter. Steps downhill looking to punish running backs to set a tone for defense. Toggles between patient and urgent in treks to the ball. Plays off blockers. Approaches target with open arms and wide, balanced base to limit escape routes. Intelligent field general. Gets secondary aligned properly. Plays with plus balance in coverage. Pattern reader who can digest combinations. Alert for misdirection keys from offense. Party crasher on screen plays. Can handle coverage responsibilities against tight ends."
As for Adams’s weaknesses, they are mostly attributed to his overall coverage abilities, however some of that could be the way he was used at LSU:
"Handsy and too willing to clamp onto receivers down the field. Hard-charging downhill, but a little stiff when asked to retreat. Long speed appears to be average on tape. Eyes drop when targets approach his area. Anticipation is average, limiting his range as a center-fielder. Will give away some interceptions due to drops. Slower coming to balance as tackler on bursting runners between the tackles. Desire to limit cutbacks leads to challenging play-side tackles."
Adams transition to the NFL should be fairly seamless. If he is asked to change his style he could take time to adjust, however he has the ability to make any necessary changes.
While his athleticism is not on par with fellow top safety prospect Malik Hooker, it is well above average. Going to the right team and playing in the right defense he could be an immediate star. He has drawn comparisons to the likes of Eric Berry (per Matt Miller of Bleacher Report) and Eric Weddle (Lance Zierlein of NLF.com), both of whom have been star safeties in the league.
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Jamal Adams would fit Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ philosophy like a glove and he would be an instant upgrade at the strong safety position. Adding him with Myles Garrett would really change the Cleveland defense as it would be able to attack more, which is Williams’ calling card.
Adams is the type of player that would thrive in the AFC North as he is an in-your-face defender. His strength in run support would be a welcome addition when facing the Steelers and Le’Veon Bell twice a year. His ability to cover tight ends would help going up against Tyler Eifert of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Adams presence in the middle of the field would have some receivers keeping an eye out for him on crossing routes, thus losing their focus on the catch.
The bad news for Cleveland is that there is not much hope that Adams will last until the No. 12 pick in the draft. If they are to make a play for him they would have to trade into the Top 5 for certain, maybe even as high as No. 3. As great as a prospect Adams is the cost to move up for him is probably too great for the Browns to consider.
Next: DPD Podcast: One week until the draft
Jamal Adams would remind Cleveland fans of former No. 2 overall pick Eric Turner (RIP), however, unless something unlikely happens in the days leading up to the draft, Adams will be plying his trade on another team.