Early in his NFL career, Jamal Adams looked like a dominant force who could revolutionize the safety position.
However, after earning Pro Bowl honors in three consecutive seasons (2018-2020), Adams has gone from being one of the top players at his position to literally switching positions altogether. The 2019 second-team All-Pro safety suited up at linebacker in 2025, starting four of 17 games for a Las Vegas Raiders defense that finished 25th in points allowed.
So while it may be tempting to look at Adams as an underrated asset, Eliot Wolf and the New England Patriots would be wise not to invest in him at this stage of his career.
Jamal Adams no longer has a natural fit in the Patriots' defense
Adams' transition from safety — a position that requires more coverage skills than ever — to linebacker wasn't a total surprise given his issues defending the pass throughout his career. After all, that's one of the primary reasons the New York Jets felt comfortable trading him to the Seattle Seahawks in a blockbuster deal that included a pair of first-round picks (and more).
Coming off a rather nondescript debut season at his new position, Adams remains without an NFL home heading into the summer. Given his age (he turns 31 in October) and durability concerns (last year was Adams' first full NFL season since 2018), it's easy to see why he didn't attract much attention in free agency.
So even though the idea of bringing him to Foxboro was floated by Matt Legros of Patriot Wire, the reigning AFC champions should have no business being in the Jamal Adams business.
After all, where would he fit in this defense?
At 6-foot, 220 pounds, he doesn't have the size the Patriots look for at linebacker. Starting middle linebacker Robert Spillane may not be significantly bigger, but he's much more adept at taking on blockers and diagnosing plays. If you go by PFF's grading system, Spillane finished 12th out of 88 qualifying linebackers with a 76.3 overall grade. Adams finished 33rd with a 67.3 mark.
On the other hand, moving the safety-turned-linebacker back to his old position still wouldn't make him an ideal fit in Foxboro.
The Patriots already brought in a veteran safety in Kevin Byard, who just so happens to be the NFL's reigning interception leader. A well-respected locker room leader and someone who Mike Vrabel knows well from his days in Tennessee, Byard should be a mainstay next to second-year pro Craig Woodson. Barring injuries, expect Byard and Woodson to finish among the snap leaders on defense.
Craig Woodson is going to be a sponge and learn a lot from Kevin Byard in year 2.
— Michael Rodnick (@MJRodnick) April 17, 2026
The secondary is going to be a top group. pic.twitter.com/OefAcXVuUy
Plus, the Patriots currently have Dell Pettus penciled in behind Woodson at strong safety. He's far from a household name, but the former undrafted free agent has clearly earned the respect of the coaching staff by sticking around for two seasons, and it makes more sense to give the 25-year-old a chance to prove he's capable of a bigger role than to bury him behind a declining (and more expensive) player in Adams.
Ultimately, the Patriots should embrace the youth movement they started a year ago and continue to infuse the roster strategically with veterans who can fill clear-cut roles.
Adams simply doesn't fit that equation.
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